The Integrity of Creation:

Human Rights and Climate Justice A National Conference, July 29 – 31, 2015

Convenors: Association of Major Religious Superiors (AMRSP) National Secretariat for Social Action - CBCP(NASSA) Philippine Chapter of the Global Catholic Climate Movement (GCCM) Fellowship for the Care

of Creation Association Incorporated (FCCAI)Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) Philippine Misereor Partners (PMPI) Philippine Movement for

Climate Justice (PMCJ) Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) Medical Action Group (MAG) FIND Bulig VisayasAsian Peoples Movement on Debt and Development

Climate change is one of the biggest and most challengingthreats to humanity today. It is already having devastating impacts, and the people of the Philippines know this very well. It is multiplying the sufferings of people already burdened by the injustices of hunger, dispossession and violation of human rights. It is a crisis that also threatens to wipe out vast populations and profoundly change life on Earth. Solving the climate crisis requires profound transformation ofenergy and economic systems locally, nationally and globally. Like other global crises, climate change was generated and is being driven by structures, policies and practices that sacrifice the well-being of the majority of peoples and communities, as well as that of the environment and the planet, in order to pursue the accumulation of wealth for the few. Those who are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, who are already experiencing huge impacts, who are deprived of the means to deal with it, are the ones least responsible for creating the problem. The struggle against climate change is not just a struggle for survival, it is a struggle for human rights, for justice, for a good quality of life for all peoples in harmony with nature. The struggle for climate change is also a crucial race against time. The window for preventing the breach of tipping points and stopping climate catastrophe is rapidly closing. In the meantime, governments have been failing to undertake decisive, just and ambitious national and multilateral actions and powerful global corporations with vested interests are blocking the rapid shift away from “business as usual” to a new and better world where the needs of people and the health of the planet have primacy over profit. 2015 is a crucial year for the fight against global warming and climate change. It carries with it tremendous opportunities to raise public awareness and understanding of the crises, to reach out to and mobilize communities, movements and institutions to fight for its solutions and to achieve urgently needed progress in securing these solutions. Governments of all nations will be adopting a new international agreement on climate in Paris in December at the 21st Conference of Parties (COP) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This new agreement will have huge impacts and implications on humanity’s chance for limiting the increase of the earth’s temperature at the safest levels still possible - under 1.5 degrees Celsius. The upcoming COP21 in Paris and the international meetings in preparation for it are vital arenas of contestation for an agreement for global actions that are based on science, that are fairly-

shared, that protects and upholds human rights, that are just, that will ensure the safest future still possible for all of creation. The COP21 is generating media and public attention to the climate crisis, thus 2015 is also a very important opportunity to raise other urgent climate policies and actions that are not dependent on the international agreement. And on June 18, the much awaited Papal Encyclical on Climate and related topics will be released and will be a watershed of inspiration and guidance. Objectives Towards broader, stronger, more active engagement of human rights and faith-based movements in the fight for climate justice The recent history and continuing struggles of the Filipino people have been a testament to the very important role of human rights and faith-based movements in heralding calls for social change and inspiring and mobilizing citizens and communities. It is imperative that this role be fulfilled in its fullest

in what is a most crucial and urgent fight.

Towards a broader, stronger, more active engagement of human rights and faith-based movement in this fight – a National Conference on “The Integrity of Creation: Human Rights and Climate Justice” will be jointly convened by key human rights and faith-based organizations and networks. The Conference is envisioned to be:

1. A broad gathering of faith-based organizations and institutions, and of human rights groups and movements

2. A moment of collective critical study and reflection on the climate crisis and its impacts and implications for people, communities, the Earth and all of creation

3. An opportunity for starting a process of developing strategies for common and coordinated actions for 2015 and beyond

4. A step forward in forging stronger linkages and participation in national, regional and global climate justice movements

Participants One hundred and fifty (150) participants will be invited, representing faith-based organizations and human rights groups from all over the Philippines. Dates and Venue The Conference will take place on July 29 to 31. The venue will be announced shortly.

Methodology and Program

The key components will include plenary sessions, workshops, an exhibit, film / video showing, and literature booths for dissemination of resource and campaigning materials.The program will be sent out shortly.

Organizational and Logistical Arrangements

As vehicles for coordination and joint efforts, the following structures have been set up

• A Convenors Group -- makes major decisions, receive reports, provide guidance to the preparations

• A Conference Secretariat involving people designated by the Convenor groups that carry out the tasks of preparing the Conference

The funds for the conference is being jointly raised by the Conference Convenors. Conference Subsidy and Registration Fees The Conference Convenors will cover the following:

1. All preparatory expenses 2. Travel subsidies for those coming from outside of Metro Manila if needed

a. Travel Subsidy of up to 50% for those coming from Luzon via land travel b. Travel Subsidy of up to 75% for those coming from Visayas, Mindanao and Palawan

3. Most of the costs relates to venue, food, conference kits Conference Participants are requested to:

1. For those coming from within Metro Manila – to cover their full travel cost and contribute a conference fee of P300

2. For those coming from outside Metro Manila – to cover part of their travel and make arrangements for their accommodations (note: they make also ask the help of the Convenors for arranging accommodations if they will have difficulties)