PARTNERSHIPS: COEJL on Campus

Interfaith Alliance for a Sustainable Future:
Georgetown University

Contacts: Jocelyn Mahone, President of the Alliance: jrm55@georgetown.edu

Rabbi Harold White at Georgetown Hillel: 202-687-3480; whitehs@georgetown.edu

WHY DOES THE I.F.A. EXIST?

"Religious faith is often the most important catalyst for social change--for better or worse. If students are ignorant of how religion motivates people, then they will not be properly equipped to act in the world."
~ Rukmini Walker, Woodstock Theological Center, Georgetown University

Each of us relies on a sound environment for basic sustenance, health, and even spiritual inspiration. The state of the Earth affects us all in ways that are large and small, local and global. For the sake of current and future human well-being, people of faith are also called to join the environmental debate and take action as stewards of the Earth. This is the purpose of Georgetown’s InterFaith Alliance for a Sustainable Future (IFA).

WHAT DOES THE I.F.A. DO?

Our student-run organization has three major elements: service, dialogue, and education.

1. SERVICE WORK in the area of faith-based conservation:
The IFA is sponsored in part by the Center for Social Justice because social justice is one of our primary concerns.  On October 1st, 50+ volunteers will participated in an afternoon of service with the Religious Partnership for the Anacostia, a partnership between the Earth Conservation Corps, Interfaith Conference of DC, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.  In late January, we will plant trees in DC areas of need as we participate in the Jewish New Year of the Trees, Tu B'Shevat.  Finally, during the second weekend of April 9th and 10th, we will participate in the National Day of Youth Service, also in the Anacostia region.  On the 9th, we will help to construct the Interfaith Conference of DC’s “Interfaith House,” built with Habitat for Humanity.  We will also assist the Religious Partnership for the Anacostia in a major restoration project on April 10th.

2. DIALOGUE to foster mutual understanding with regard to our common cause:
Once each month, we encourage one of our campus faith organizations to host small-scale event.  All are welcome to attend.  At this event, the faith organization shares how its traditions inspire its adherents to act as stewards of the Earth.  The emphasis here is not necessarily on theology, although we encourage honest discussion of theological tensions.  e are most interested in the conservation ethics of various faiths and the good works that follow, addressing local and global needs.  Over the course of the year, we seek to understand how the various traditions can motivate civilization's necessary transition into a sustainable future -- one that is environmentally, socially, and economically just.  In early December, the Buddhist Meditation Club hosted our first interfaith night.  The Jewish Student Association has organized an event for late January, and the Muslim Student Association, Catholic Student Association, and various other campus ministries have also pledged to host evening dialogues in the spring semester.

3. SPEAKERS/ SYMPOSIUM to educate Hoyas on how they can contribute to the faith-environment movement.

Thanks to funding from the SFS/ STIA Center for the Environment, as well as the Diversity Action Council, we have invited speakers and various organizations to Georgetown in order to raise awareness about the crucial roles the faiths can play in promoting conservation ethics and a sustainable future. 

First, Martin Palmer, author of "Faith In Conservation" (published by the World Bank) and secretary-general of the London-based Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC), spoke on Wednesday, January 12th.  Second, Mike Goggin of the Interfaith Conference of DC (IFC) facilitated an interfaith discussion on February 10th.  Finally, we will hold our culminating symposium and information fair on Friday, April 1st, 2005 (anticipating Earth Day).  GU’s Intercultural Center Auditorium and Galleria have been reserved for this event.  At 4:30pm , we will host two prominent speakers at the symposium.  We will also invite as many organizations as possible that are involved with faith and environmental conservation/justice to participate.  These groups will represent themselves with info-booths in the Galleria prior to the speaking event and during the reception that will follow the speeches.

WHO DOES THE I.F.A. SERVE?

(A) The Georgetown Community – The student-led Interfaith Alliance will educate and challenge Georgetown students, faculty, and religious leaders to consider the extent to which our responsibilities to respect and care for all members of the human family also require that we care for the rest of Creation.  With assistance from the STIA Center for the Environment, we seek to link the current ecological/humanitarian crisis, as understood by science, with faith-based ethics.

(B) Georgetown 's faithful – The Interfaith Alliance will explore fundamental questions of faith and morality in our various traditions; Campus Ministry's guidance and experience with inter-religious conversation will be crucial.  Our goal is to develop respect for our differences as we converge on a common mission: the advancement of human well-being through environmental stewardship.

(C) The D.C. Community – We work actively in the community through various service projects: (1) Anacostia River clean-up/restoration, (2) tree planting, (3) local community development such as a Habitat for Humanity build.  Furthermore, we will partner with local NGOs and faith institutions that share our interest in faith & environmental conservation.

Please contact us to get involved and learn more! 

Peter Fargo: pef4@georgetown.edu
Senior, Georgetown University
InterFaith Alliance for a Sustainable Future

Contact Rabbi Harold White for information about Jewish involvement in the Interfaith Alliance: 202-687-3480 whitehs@georgetown.edu