Group screenshot of the online participants of the forum

Peace on Earth. Peace with the Earth.

3rd International Forum for Interreligious & Transcultural Peacebuilding

Two days, four sessions and numerous perspectives on peace, environmental justice and spirituality - in a dialog between science, churches, indigenous communities and young voices.

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On October 23 and 24, 2025, the 3rd International Forum for Interreligious and Transcultural Peacebuilding took place. The motto of this year's online conference was "Peace on Earth. Peace with the Earth."

The forum invited the participants to do so, Peace and environmental justice from the perspective of different religions and cultures to consider. The focus was on the question of how people and the earth can live together peacefully - beyond borders, denominations and world views.

In numerous presentations and discussions, experts, activists and faith representatives shared their experiences from practice and research. Their contributions opened up new perspectives and showed that Peace work always includes climate protection and social justice includes.

Two days of discussion, reflection and inspiration - with voices that are committed to a fairer and more peaceful future worldwide. The forum left behind a palpable energy and many impulses to make one's own contribution to sustainable peace.

All recordings of the International Forum are available on our YouTube channel:
Mission 21 on YouTube

Video summary: Day 1 - Peace begins with justice

Insights into the keynote speech by Prof. Debjani Bhattacharyya and contributions from Ghana, Kenya and Canada.

Speakers

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A new climate for peace: postcolonial history and environmental justice

Debjani Bhattacharyya (India/USA/Switzerland)

Debjani Bhattacharyya is a Professor of the History of the Anthropocene at the University of Zurich and a non-residential fellow at the Center for the Advanced Study of India at the University of Pennsylvania. Previously, she was an Associate Professor of History and Urban Studies at Drexel University. Her research explores the question of how legal and economic structures shape our understanding of environmental change and how these impact on our reaction to the climate crisis.

Learn more about Professor Debjani Bhattacharyya

The research of the Anthropocene deals with the consequences of the fact that we humans are now considered the dominant factor among the geophysical factors on the planet Earth, as well as with the consequences of the fact that we are leaving such lasting traces that the Earth's systems are changing significantly and that these changes will still be detectable in geological, biological and atmospheric processes thousands of years from now.

Research on the Anthropocene is concerned with the consequences of the fact that we humans are now the dominant geophysical factor on planet Earth, and the consequences of the fact that we are leaving such a lasting mark that the Earth's systems are changing significantly and these changes will still be detectable in geological, biological and atmospheric processes thousands of years from now.

Debjani Bhattacharyya's research focuses on the intersections between the histories of law and political economy and environmental and climate history. Her book “Empire and Ecology in the Bengal Delta: The Making of Calcutta” (Cambridge University Press, 2018) was named the best book on urban history in 2019. In it, she demonstrates how legal decisions in the 18th and 19th centuries contributed decisively to the reshaping of the political economy in the Bengal Delta and shaped landscape and waterways. She is currently conducting a long-term study of risk assessments in the insurance market in relation to the economy, the market, climate science and weather forecasts for the Indian Ocean. Her other research interests include environmental change and its contemporary manifestations; climate history and historical climatology; the legal history of environmental change; focused in, regionally, the British Empire, South Asia, the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean.

You can find her publications at this link.

Ecumenical perspectives on the climate crisis, disability and engagement

Anjeline Okola Charles (Kenya)

Anjeline Okola is a Quaker and a disability and development practitioner. She is currently the Programme Executive for the World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network (WCC-EDAN).

Learn more about Anjeline Okola Charles

Anjeline Okola has been carrying out disability discourses in churches and theological seminaries to influence inclusion of persons with disabilities as clergy, students of theology as well as faculty members but even more importantly. On issues around Gender Based Violence and Sexual Reproductive Health Rights for women and girls with disabilities since 2018 Anjeline has implemented programmes in Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania and is part of the team that produced 2 publications in the continent in these field: a Survey report on Promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Women and Girls with Disabilities in Kenya’s Health Services (2021) and Guidelines to build the capacity of church leaders in Nigeria to protect and promote the sexual and reproductive health care and rights of women with disabilities (2022).

Anjeline Okola has been leading discourses on disability in churches and theological seminaries for years to promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities as clergy, theology students and lecturers - and more importantly, since 2018, she has implemented programs in Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania on the topics of gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive health rights of women and girls with disabilities. She was also part of the team that produced two publications on the African continent in this area: a survey report on promoting the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls with disabilities in Kenyan health services (2021) and guidelines on capacity building of church leaders in Nigeria to protect and promote the sexual and reproductive health care and rights of women with disabilities (2022).

Anjeline Okola has been involved in Climate Justice issues by implementing a project that is seeking to improve the resilience of girls and women with disabilities to climate change impacts. The project involves research on the impact of climate change to girls and women with disabilities. Additionally, Anjeline conducts skills training for self-advocacy and engaging with duty bearers including local authorities, parliamentarians and government officials in Burundi and Rwanda.

Peacebuilding, Education and Environmental Protection by and With the Youth

Haruna Zagoon-Sayeed (Ghana)

Dr. Haruna Zagoon-Sayeed is a lecturer at the University of Ghana and Managing Director of the Baraka Policy Institute. His work covers the areas of education, religion, youth development, international relations and peacebuilding.

Learn more about Haruna Zagoon-Sayeed

Haruna Zagoon-Sayeed is an interdisciplinary professional. He is an academic, a writer & a researcher in the fields of education, religion, youth development, international affairs and peacebuilding. Dr Zagoon-Sayed is a social development advocate, and a professional educator. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree in the Study of Religions with First Class Honours from the University of Ghana, Legon. He also obtained a Master of Arts Degree in International Affairs from University of Ghana. He obtained his PhD in Religion and Peacebuilding from University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. His PhD research thesis was titled: Islam and Peacebuilding in the context of the Muslim Community in Ghana. Dr Zagoon has taught and worked in various levels of education both in Ghana and the UK.
Currently, Dr. Haruna Zagoon-Sayeed is a Senior Lecturer at the Department for the Study of Religions, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra and the Executive Director of the Baraka Policy Institute (BPI), a policy research think tank in the area of Social Justice and the development of the situation of persons in underprivileged circumstances at the margins of society. He is a researcher in fields of religion and education, Muslim-Christian relations, youth development, and peacebuilding. Dr Zagoon-Sayeed is a consultant for the drafting of National Policy on Religion under the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs of the Republic of Ghana. He serves on many boards in Ghana and beyond.

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Indigenous People and Resistance Spirituality

Jenne Jessica Revanda Pieter (Indonesia)

Jenne Jessica Revanda Pieter is an ordained minister of the Protestant Church in the Moluccas, Indonesia, and serves as a lecturer at the Faculty of Theology, Christian University of Indonesia. Her work focuses on theology, ecology, and advocacy for Indigenous communities.

Find out more about Pastor Jenne Jessica Revanda Pieter

Jenne Jessica Revanda Pieter holds a background in Protestant Christian theology as well as religion and culture, the latter being the main focus of her master’s studies. In 2017/2018, she pursued a Master of Advanced Studies in Ecumenical Studies at the Ecumenical Institute Bossey.

Jenne Jessica is a member of the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism (CWME) of the World Council of Churches (WCC). Her work is active at the intersection of theology, ecology, and advocacy for Indigenous communities in Central Maluku, particularly in North Seram, Seram Island.

How Spirituality Informs Earth Care

Neddy Astudillo (Venezuela/USA)

Neddy Astudillo is an Eco-Theologian and Presbyterian Pastor and coordinator of the Climate Justice & Faith Certification program at the Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. She has long advanced environmental justice and eco-theology across the Americas.

Find out more about Neddy Astudillo

Since 2018 and 2023, respectively, Neddy Astudillo coordinated GreenFaith’s Latinx and Latin America Organizing and Training work. After earning her Master of Divinity at McCormick Theological Seminary in 1998, she co-founded the Angelic Organics Learning Center, a farm-based educational nonprofit in Northern Illinois where people connect with food, farming, and caring for the Earth. From 2005 to 2018, she served as pastor of a Latino (ELCA-PCUSA) ministry in Beloit, Wisconsin. In 2013, Neddy earned her Doctor of Ministry in “Greening the Church” from Drew University. Since then, she has taught Eco-Theology courses at seminaries in Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, Bolivia, and the US; spoken on environmental and climate justice at numerous faith-based gatherings across the Americas; and published in diverse media. In 2020, she received the Presbyterians for Earth Care annual award for her commitment to environmental justice.

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Indigenous Wisdom and Spiritualities and the Reclaiming of Rights of Land

Jacqueline Hookimaw-Witt (Canada)

Jacqueline Hookimaw-Witt is a member of the Mushkegowuk-Cree community and has obtained a PhD focused on Indigenous feminism. She has working for diverse projects by Indigenous organizations, activism, youth work, and reconciliation initiatives.

Find out more about Jacqueline Hookimaw-Witt

Jacqueline Hookimaw-Witt is an educator, photographer, human rights activist, and chef-de-cuisine. Born in 1965 and raised in the Mushkegowuk-Cree community of Attawapiskat in Northern Ontario, Jackie’s first language is Cree (n-dialect). Despite the unfavorable odds for a First Nations woman from an isolated community, Jackie completed her formal education with a Doctor of Philosophy degree at the University of Toronto. Her thesis, The Politics of Maintaining Aboriginal Feminism and Aboriginal Women's Roles of Sacred Responsibility to the Land (also published as a book by Charlton Publishers, Kanata), is a comparative study of Zapotec (Mexico) and Mushkegowuk-Cree women’s roles.

After completing her dissertation, Jackie returned to her community to care for her parents. In the meantime, she has organized and/or participated in many projects (including art therapy) led by Indigenous organizations, worked with at-risk youth in her community (see videos on YouTube – Jacqueline Hookimaw-Witt), been politically active in the media (TV, radio), spoken at international academic conferences, completed a chef-de-cuisine diploma at Liaison College in Oakville, and is currently active in Truth and Reconciliation efforts, working with the Catholic Women’s League and presenting the Reconciliation Tapestry (created with youth and children in Attawapiskat) at conventions and in schools.

Participants in the panel discussion

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Sofía Nicolasa Chipana Quispe (Bolivia)

Sofía Nicolasa Chipana Chispe is a member of the Andean Theology and Pastoral Community and the Community of Indigenous Wise Women and Theologians of Abya Yala. She is Aymara and shares her paths with communities that seek to create bonds based on relationships of correspondence.

Julio Cesar Mejía Tapia (Peru)

Julio Cesar Mejía Tapia is a legal advisor to the network of women leaders defending water and Lake Titicaca, a consultant, researcher and head of the Institute of Law, Social Participation and Environment (IDEPAM) of the network known as Eco Legistas and the Pasión Constitucional initiative.

Keshoe Isaiah Kilerai (Kenya)

Keshoe Isaiah Kilerai is a youth climate and environmental champion from the Maasai community in Kenya. He is a Kofi Annan Changemaker and the founder of The New Lion Project, which empowers Indigenous youth to influence global policies through storytelling, advocacy, research, and grassroots projects.

Meera Baindur (India)

Meera Baindur is a philosopher and Associate Professor at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education in India. Her work combines environmental ethics, Indian philosophical traditions and feminist approaches with a strong commitment to interfaith dialog.

All recordings of the 1st day

Topics of the 2nd day: Rethinking anthropocentrism & positioning new ecologies, discovering peace through the perspectives of natural rights & advocacy for nature

Religious Ecology: Indigenous Practices and Intersubjective Relationships

Samsul Maarif (Indonesia)

Samsul Maarif is the head of the Center for Religious and Crosscultural Studies at the Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia. He teaches indigenous religions, focusing on topics such as decolonization and planetary communities and art and religion. He advocates for engaged religious studies and has been involved in coalitions for social activism on freedom of religion or belief, environmental movement, and others.

Learn more about Samsul Maarif

When Rivers Speak: Indigenous Wisdom and How It Pushes the Boundaries of Human-Nature Relationships Towards Inclusive Peace

Stephanie Boyd (Canada/Peru)

Stephanie Boyd has been living and working in Peru as a filmmaker, journalist and educator since 1997. She co-created the Media that Matters initiative with several Peruvian nonprofit film collectives and is a board member of the Peru Support Group.

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When the Rivers Claim Justice: Expanding Law From Indigenous Water Values and Non-Western Human-Nature Relations

María Ximena González-Serrano (Colombia/Switzerland)

María Ximena González-Serrano is a Colombian lawyer, activist, and socio-legal researcher. For over fifteen years, she has worked with grassroots communities on collective strategies to defend territories and rivers from extractive economies and toxic flows.

All recordings of the 2nd day