Earth – Faith – Peace: An Interreligious Youth Teach-in 2015
Dr. Susan Kopp
“Care for creation and the urgent need for peace are ideals shared by the world’s religious traditions. Bringing together young leaders from the sciences and peace-building fields, there is (or “we have”) hope of creating needed space for dialogue, shared learning, and collaboration that strengthens personal commitments and serves as a catalyst for collaboration and advocacy. ”
Calling all youth leaders!
Religions for Peace USA and its partners are proud to host Earth – Faith – Peace: An Interreligious Teach-in, the first gathering of its kind, focused on environmental advocacy through multi-religious cooperation.
Who we are looking for: Young people, ages 19-35, who are committed to interfaith peacebuilding, climate justice, and environmental science
To do what: Come together for a three-day retreat to learn from fellow youth, religious leaders, and climate experts, to learn best practices of advocating for environmental justice in their local faith and/or academic communities. A select group of participants will get the opportunity to attend the Conference of Parties meeting in Paris this December, where an international climate treaty will be debated
When and Where: July 23-26, 2015, at the Mariapolis Luminosa Conference Center, Hyde Park, NY
Why: To mobilize, inspire, and cultivate the next generation of changemakers and leaders in the fields of interfaith cooperation, peacebuilding, and environmentalism.
How: Sign up here!
Click below to begin the registration process
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The Earth – Faith – Peace Blog: Getting to know our staff and participants
Passion, Inspiration, and Tiny Critters
Hi there! My name is Ethan Bodnaruk and I’m a Ph.D. Candidate in Ecological Engineering (“sustainable ecosystem design that integrates humans with nature for the benefit of both”) at SUNY-ESF in Syracuse, NY and a co-leader of the Religions for Peace North American...
Meet the organizers and participants
Sue Kopp
Sue Kopp is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, and is both a Professor of Health Sciences at LaGuardia Community College and a Center Scholar at the Yale Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics. Sue is a member of the Focolare Movement, and believes deeply in the power of faith as a force for peace.
John Mundell
John Mundell is an environmental engineer, and the President and founder of Mundell & Associates, an environmental consulting company that provides services to government agencies, municipalities, and industries all over the world. John and his company provide expertise in environmental crises that plague towns, industrial areas, and entire nations, all while keeping in mind the Economy of Communion, an idea espoused by Focolare founder Chiara Lubich that businesses can and should operate as much for the benefit of their companies as for the good of society.
Ethan Bodnaruk
Ethan Bodnaruk is a Ph.D. Student in Ecological Engineering at SUNY-ESF focusing on urban forest ecosystem services and the transformation of wastes into resources. He holds an M.S. in Nuclear Engineering and worked for four years as an engineer and project manager at the National Nuclear Security Administration.
Broadly interested in subjects of science, spirituality, and ethics he has also spent nine months living at contemplative monasteries practicing meditation. His combination of rational analytic thinking and drive for broad understanding, meaning, and spirituality make him an ideal communicator and bridge between science and spirituality.
Aaron Stauffer
Aaron Stauffer is the Executive Director of Religions for Peace USA where he oversees all projects and initiatives, while working with over 50 member communities to inspire and advance common actions for peace. With nearly a decade of experience in the interfaith movement, he brings a passion and insight into his work. Aaron is a graduate from St. Olaf College and Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York, where he received the Charles August Briggs award for scholarship and conscience at Union for his MDiv. His experience in the U.S. interfaith movement includes communities such as San Antonio, Tx., Minneapolis-St. Paul, Mn, and New York, NY. He most recently worked as an institutional organizer with the Industrial Areas Foundation, working to build public power within disenfranchised communities. Aaron’s work in the interfaith movement has led him to hold previous positions with the World Student Christian Federation, The World Communion of Reformed Churches, The Coexist Foundation, and the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Itang Young
Itang H. Young currently serves as the Grant Administrator for Religions for Peace USA. In this consultant capacity, she is charged with the responsibility of grant writing, fundraising, and organizational development.
Young has a deep and sincere commitment to the community. She has dedication to service through her work with: The Children’s Defense Fund; the World Student Christian Federation; the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women; The National Council of Churches. She graduated from Union Theological Seminary with a Master’s of Divinity, and Texas A&M University – College Station with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
Suzy Lamoreaux
Suzy is the Project Coordinator for RfPUSA, where her work is concentrated around the Our Voicesclimate change campaign, as well as the Our Muslim Neighbor initiative. She is a recent graduate of Rutgers University, and became interested in religion, interfaith dialogue, and the role religions play in societies through her studies of history and French culture. Her undergraduate honors thesis researched the history of North African immigration in 1970s and 80s France, the effects of which have contributed to contemporary French Islamophobia. She gained first-hand knowledge of the issue as a mentor of Maghrebi youth in Paris. In her spare time, Suzy enjoys baking, playing and watching hockey, solving crossword puzzles, and running.