SS 23
ESA Faith Community Outreach/Speakers Bureau Strategic Planning Session

Wednesday, August 12, 2015: 8:00 PM-10:00 PM
307, Baltimore Convention Center
Organizer:
Gregory E. Hitzhusen, The Ohio State University
Co-organizers:
Leanne M. Jablonski, Marianist Environmental Education Center; Calvin B. DeWitt, University of Wisconsin; David M. Lodge, University of Notre Dame; Dorothy Boorse, Gordon College; and Melissa K. Benham, San Jose State University
This session is a reflective planning discussion of ESA’s involvement in ecology-religion dialogue and initiatives, including sponsorship of the Speakers Bureau for Outreach to Faith Communities, which developed within ESA’s Environmental Justice Section and launched in 2013.  Participation is welcome from all ESA attendees as we inform policy-setting and priorities for the speakers bureau and other ecology-religion dialogue, collaboration, and publication opportunities in 2015-2016.

Session co-organizers (the speakers bureau steering team) will overview current progress and strategic priorities for the speakers bureau and of ecology-religion dialogue more generally, and acknowledge questions, challenges, issues and opportunities raised in related sessions at ESA Baltimore (e.g. two ecology-religion organized oral sessions).  Opportunities for ecologist and faith community collaboration in addressing climate change and the catalyst of Pope Francis’ 2015 Encyclical on the Environment will be highlighted.  Participants will also be introduced to the latest training resources for fruitful ecology-religion dialogue that will be made accessible on the speakers bureau website.

At the heart of this session will be an open discussion related to religion-ecology dialogue and ongoing development of the speakers bureau, including attention to collaborations with scientific and faith community outreach partners who are working with or considering working with ESA as the speakers bureau and religion-ecology interest grows.  Participants will be invited to share additional stories, experiences or questions about ecology outreach in faith communities that highlight potential opportunities and related challenges. Participant contributions will add to a working list of recommendations for ESA ecology-religion efforts in 2015-16 and beyond.

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