Forum on Faith and a Sustainable Economy

Yesterday, I had the interesting opportunity of attending the Forum on Faith and a Sustainable Economy on Parliament Hill. Jointly hosted by the Canadian Council of Churches (CCC) the Forum offered a series of speakers and panel discussions on two of the most pressing issues facing our society today: the economy and the environment.

The day’s discussions focused upon the current and potential role of churches and faith communities in Canada in responding to both the ecological and environmental crises. It also focused upon related social issues, including poverty and the need for reconciliation between groups in Canadian society, in particular between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginals.

NDP MP Paul Dewar introduced the first panel, which focused on community and policy. Representatives from the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), KAIROS and the Climate Action Network spoke briefly on the current state of the economy, the environment and the situation of First Nations people in Canada, emphasizing the inter-relationships between the three issues and the need for sustained action to address them.

The lunchtime panel was made up of members of Parliament, including Bloc MP Yves Lessard, Liberal MP John Mackay and MP Rick Dykstra of the Conservative Party. It focused on the engagement of churches and faith communities in political advocacy.

The last panel featured representatives from the Anglican and Orthodox churches, as well as the CCC, and discussed the theological underpinnings of Christian responses to the environmental and economic crises.

With representatives from a number of church and faith-based organizations, the Forum generated some rich discussion on the need for a different economic system which respects the environment and promotes care for both human beings and creation to a much greater extent.