|
|
|
Illinois Student Environmental Coalition |
ISEC unites student environmental organizations that are committed to improving environmental practices at colleges and universities by facilitating the exchange of resources and ideas. |
| University of Chicago |
Religion and Environment Initiative (REI)
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Number of Current Members: 8-10
Group Website: http://rei.uchicago.edu
Purpose Statement
The purposes of the Religion and Environment Initiative are to (1) explore the relationships between religious worldviews and the environment, (2) educate people of faith, environmentalists, and others about these relationships, (3) promote environmental concern as a religious issue, (4) explore the potential for religious institutions to encourage environmental awareness and action, (5) facilitate relationships among campus environmental and religious organizations such as local congregations, seminaries, and environmental groups, and (6) serve as a model of interfaith commitment to positive environmental values and practices, both at the community and individual levels.
Current Projects
Coming soon!
Previous Event: An Interfaith Program on the Environment
The Lutheran School of Theology is offered a special interfaith program on the environment on April 22, 2007. Two speakers, one representing Islam and the other representing Judaism, will shared their traditions’ approach to caring for creation. These talks were followed by a panel discussion and conversation with the audience. The evening will concluded with a reception.
Zainab Khan spoke on Islam’s approach to the environment. She is part of the Outreach Staff of Faith in Place, an Chicago-based, interfaith organization helping congregations respond to the environmental crisis. At Faith in Place, Ms. Kahn works with the TAQWA cooperative and other efforts to link Muslim values and support for sustainable farming. She has extensive experience as an educator in the Muslim school system. Ms. Kahn has degrees in history from the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is currently pursuing doctoral studies in Sustainable Living and New World History.
Herbert Bronstein addressed the approach of Judaism. He is Rabbi Emeritus and Senior Scholar at North Shore Congregation Israel, where he served as Senior Rabbi for twenty-five years. He teaches history of religion and environmental studies courses at Lake Forest College, including “Religious and Ethical Perspectives on the Environment.” Rabbi Bronstein is a member of the Committee for Environmental Initiatives for the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago.
Brown bag discussion series:
This year's focus
is environmental justice. Hosting guest speakers on environmental currents within various
faith traditions. Helping organize a National Campus Day of Prayer and Reflection
on Global Warming for April 21-22, 2007; see http://globalwarmingprayer.wordpress.com . Preparing a Resource Guide on religion and environment; see http://rei.uchicago.edu.
Contact Information
Group Leader: Dave Aftandilian
Contact Email: daftandi@bsd.uchicago.edu
Contact Phone: 773-834-0621
Environmental Law & Policy Center |
