Transcript The Social Dimensions Of Ministry in an Election Year

A Case Example
of Advocacy
The National Religious Partnership for the
Environment
The World Bank
April 23, 2009
Walter E. Grazer, Special Adviser
National Religious Partnership
For the Environment
Who is the Partnership?
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Its Members
United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops
National Council of Churches
Evangelical Environmental Network
Coalition on the Environment and
Jewish Life
Allied faith based organizations like CRS,
World Vision, Church World Service, etc.
What is the Partnership
The Partnership is a formal arrangement
among independent religious communities
who share a common biblical faith but draw
upon distinctive traditions to offer a moral
vision and the resources of religious life to a
universal effort to protect humankind's
common home and well-being on Earth.
General Programs
While unique and distinctive, each
community undertakes scholarship,
leadership training, congregational
and agency initiatives, and public
policy education in service to
environmental sustainability and
justice.
Public Policy
Each community has its own focus—NCC
and COEJL—energy, EEN-endangered
species, USCCB-health and poverty
Each community has a major statement on
climate change/values and policy
Recent common focus-climate/poverty
ADVOCACY
“Climate Fairness Agenda: A Religious
Call to Address Global Climate Change
and Poverty”
Statement of Values and Policy Principles
to guide common advocacy efforts
Care for God’s Creation and Love of
Neighbor
Advocacy Values and Principles
Summary
– Commitment to the Common Good—source of
solidarity not division
– Moral obligation to “stand up for voiceless and
vulnerable”
– Making protection of people living in poverty a central
focus of any climate policy, legislation or treaty
– Equal concern for climate/poverty connection here in
the US and in the most vulnerable developing nations
Advocacy Policy Goals
Assist most vulnerable developing countries—
through international adaptation
Promote local community participation in design
and administration of adaptation projects
Address deforestation while protecting land
tenure and indigenous rights
Best practices
Share appropriate technology on affordable
basis
Advocacy--History
June 2007—Joint Appearance before US
Senate EPW Committee—First time ever
Fairness Agenda Released—October 2007
Faith community announces displeasure with
unreleased Senate bill-Late October 07
Work starts with Senate sponsors on
international adaptation—Senators Boxer,
Lieberman and Warner
Advocacy--History
Two Step Dance—one foot forward—one foot
backward-unfortunately you trip if done a the
same time
Development of legislative language on
international adaptation
Personal meeting with Senator John Warner—
co-sponsor of Senate Climate legislation
Legislation dies in US Senate—June 08
Advocacy—History
Action Switches to the House
Dormancy stage-June 07-Janaury-09
Chairman Waxman—Chairman Markey
and House draft legislation—released
March, 09
Activities during dormancy stage and
during early months of 09 till present work
on language and finding champions
Meeting with Chairman Waxman-March 16
THE FUTURE
Primary Goal – continue to promote inclusion of
strong section on international adaptation in any
US climate policy and
Work with new Obama Administration to support
international adaptation
Work with faith based colleagues in other
countries to garner support for international
adaptation in any new international treaty