About the Conference
This conference aims to discuss the interconnections between religious doctrines and knowledge, green movements, and sustainable policies. This conference relies on the foundation that religious and spiritual communities are essential to the fight against environmental and climate change. It will specifically examine the roles of faith-based organizations, religious leaders and activists, and spiritual communities, in tackling the environmental and climate crisis. And, how policymakers promote collaborative interfaith engagement or develop collaborative partnerships with faith leaders and religious communities to generate more effective and long-lasting solutions for environmental and climate-related problems.
Therefore, this conference will address a variety of issues pertaining to religion and environment focusing on three core foundations to achieve a better future for planet Earth and humanity: knowledge, movements, and policies. The theme of the conference is made on the basis that there have been tremendous religious leaders and activists, religious civil society organizations, and religious communities, who use their different religious identities and characters to build their strategies, networks, and work programs in dealing with environmental and climate-related problems.
Experts, scholars, activists, policymakers, and graduate students are invited to give their best contribution regarding the connection between religion, activism, and policymaking in advocating environmental protection while engaging with innovative solutions to the environmental and climate crisis. The themes are developed as follows:
- The conference themes are developed as follows:
- Knowledge
- Religious Teachings and Environmental Ethics:
Exploring how environmental ethics are integrated into religious teachings and how the integration has impacted on practices of environmental preservation. - The Intersection of Faith and Science in Environmental Preservation:
Investigating how science and religious beliefs can influence eco-theologians and environmental activists either to collaborate or conflict in efforts to preserve the environment. - Religious Narratives and Ecological Conservation:
Delving into religious stories and ecological conservation that influence human behavior towards the environment. - Environment and Religious Education Institutions:
Examining how environmental issues are incorporated into religious education institutions, such as religious schools and religious higher educations. - Perceptions, Attitudes, and Behaviors towards Religion and Environment:
Explaining how individuals perceive, respond to, and act upon the relationship between their religious beliefs and environmental concerns. - Movements
- Religious Motivation and Faith-Based Environmental Activism:
How religious inspiration drives social movements in environmental conservation. Case studies of environmental movements led by faith-based organizations. - Interfaith Collaboration for Climate Action:
Assessing the roles of interfaith collaborations in addressing environment and climate change. - Religion and Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation:
Investigating the involvement of religious communities in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. - Gender and Religious Environmentalism:
Exploring how gender influences participation in environmental activism within religious communities and how religious teachings shape gender-specific approaches to environmental issues. - Economic Aspects of Religious Environmentalism:
Exploring how economic decisions influence environmental actions of religious communities including consumption, investment, and support for sustainable practices. - Religious Institutions, Sustainability, and Social Inclusion:Exploring the role of religious institutions in promoting sustainability and fostering social inclusion.
- Policies
- The Role of Religion in Shaping Environmental Policies:
Analyzing how religion influences environmental policymaking. - The Politics and Religious Environmentalism:
Policy Integration of Religious Environmental Ethics. - Policy Integration of Religious Environmental Ethics:
How religious environmental ethics can be integrated into public policy. - Governmental Supports for Faith-Based Environmental Initiatives:
How governments can support environmental initiatives driven by religious groups. - Ethical Frameworks in Global Climate Negotiations and Cooperations:
Examining the role of ethical principles in global climate negotiations and cooperation, focusing on justice, equity, and sustainability to drive fair and effective climate policies.
The keynote speakers of the conference are:
- Prof. Anna Gade, PhD. (The University of Wisconsin-Madison)
- Dr. Iyad Abumoghli (Director of the Faith for Earth Coalition, United Nations Environment Programme)
- Prof. Iim Halimatusa’diyah, PhD. (FISIP and PPIM UIN Jakarta)
- Prof. Frans Wijsen (Professor Emeritus, Department of Empirical Religious Studies, Radboud University)
- Prof. Michiel Schaeffer (Adjunct Professor at MPP on Climate Change, Indonesian International Islamic University)
- Conference
- Panel Sessions
Organized discussions where scholars and graduate students present their research findings and insights on the relationship between religion, environmentalism, and climate change, followed by audience interaction. - Research Poster
A visual presentation format where graduate students display their research related to religious environmentalism, allowing for one-on-one interaction with conference attendees - Roundtable Discussions
A collaborative, inclusive, and equal opportunity forum for exchanging ideas and perspectives among activists to promote faith-driven environmental activism.
Exhibitions
- Films on Green Religion
Screenings of documentaries or movies that explore how religious communities are engaging in environmental preservation and climate action - Religion and Environment Exhibitions
This exhibition aims to bring together unique perspectives and creative expressions that highlight the role of faith in environmental stewardship: - Green Project Poster
Researchers, academics, and professionals will present their work visually using large posters. These posters summarize key points of a study, project, or ideas using graphics, charts, and concise text. They are displayed in a designated area where conference attendees can walk around, view them, and interact with the presenters. - Green Craft
Exhibitions showcasing environmentally friendly crafts, promoting sustainability and eco-friendly practices. - Green Religion Photography
Exhibitions showcasing environmentally friendly crafts, promoting sustainability and eco-friendly practices.
The organizer of this conference is PPIM UIN Jakarta under the project of Religious Environmentalism Actions (REACT), in collaboration with Faculty of Social Sciences, Indonesian International Islamic University (Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia, UIII), Depok, Indonesia, and Studia Islamika, a journal for Islamic studies in Southeast Asia (SEA). Studia Islamika is one of the most prestigious journals dedicated to SEA Islam, and this conference marks the 30th anniversary (1994-2024) of Studia Islamika.
Abstracts should be at least 150 words long but not more than 250 words.
- Proposal Deadline: April 15, 2025
- Notification of Acceptance: April 25, 2025
- Confirmation of Attendance: May 10, 2025
- Submission of Full Paper: June 30, 2025
Only those abstracts that have been reviewed and selected by the conference chairpersons may be presented. For accepted abstracts, full conference papers are required to be submitted by the deadline above.
The venue of the conference will be on the campus of Indonesian International Islamic University, Depok, Jawa Barat, Indonesia. The participation fees are free and the organizer will provide reasonable accommodation for the speakers of the selected papers during the conference. The conference organizer does not cover travel expenses to and from Jakarta. However, travel grants for selected participants are available.