Religions and the Human Future
Expert Hearing: Religions and the Human Future
Bertelsmann Foundation and World Future Council, Berlin, March 8th, 2010
The Bertelsmann Foundation and World Future Council invited religious scientists and adherents of five world religions to an expert hearing on 'Religions and the Common Future' in Berlin on March 8th, 2010. The objective of the workshop was to reflect on core messages of the world religions on economic development, environmental protection and the preservation of future generations.
The Report to the World Future Council ‘Tread Lightly on the Earth. Religions, the Environment and the Common Future’ was presented by Councillor Judge C.G. Weeramantry, former Vice-Chair of the International Court of Justice.
Participants agreed that the world religions are in agreement that: all elements in nature are interconnected and interdependent; the interests of future generations must be respected in the sense of trusteeship; excessive consumption and the purely materialistic pursuit of happiness are deeply at odds with fundamental religious principles of a good life; and that poverty requires showing solidarity. The representatives of the world religions should join hands for a strategy of ‘theology / religion in the public sphere’ and engage more actively and coherently in the public debates on sustainable development.
The meeting was facilitated by former Federal Chancellor of Austria Dr. Wolfgang Schüssel. Among the participants were representatives from India, Malaysia, Thailand, US, UK, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. Organisations represented included amongst others: the World Council of Churches, the International Network of Engaged Buddhists, EcoMuslim, the International Movement for a Just Society (JUST), the Research Centre for Public Theology of the University of Bamberg, the Tällberg Foundation and the World Watch Institute.
For more details please see
- Program
- List of Participants
- Summary Findings
- WFC report: Tread Lightly on the Earth
- Article on South Asia Media Net
