BK Exhibition at UN Climate Change Conference COP24

Katowice, Poland: The official opening of the Climate Conference took place on Monday morning in the Spodek Congress Centre in the heart of Katowice.

The civil society was represented by Sir David Attenborough from the UK.  The naturalist was chosen to represent the world’s people in addressing delegates of almost 200 nations.  They are in Katowice to negotiate how to turn pledges made in the 2015 Paris climate deal into reality.

BK Exhibition

The Brahma Kumaris are sharing their exhibition booth with the International Student Movements of the United Nations (ISMUN).  After setting up the stand and having an inaugural meditation, they distributed the popular blessing cards and wristbands.  The experience of meditation is also given through headphones connected to on-line meditations.

Opening of the German Pavilion

Golo and Carolin have been invited to attend the opening of the German Pavilion by the German Environment and Economic collaboration Minister.  The Pavilion gave a chance to catch up with friends from last year’s COP in Germany.

Side event at the UN DESA Pavilion

The first side event took place in the Social and Economic Affairs (DESA) Pavilion which is dedicated to Sustainable Development.  The program was called “Just Transition – the role of ethics and human awareness in climate change solutions”.  It was organized by the Brahma Kumaris and the Potsdam Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS).  Carolin moderated the event and welcomed the gathering of about 25 participants.

Carolin Fraude, Malthe Hentschke, Golo Pilz, Viktor Jose, Sonja Ohlsson

Golo started by quoting Sir David Attenborough: “If we don’t take action, the collapse of our civilizations and the extinction of much of the natural world is on the horizon”.  He then called for a paradigm shift: first healing our inner world and then healing the planet.  He further emphasized the importance of meditation to change awareness and habits.  We all have to change our lifestyle; this is the call of the hour.  He also spoke about the wise leadership of Dadi Janki and highlighted the renewable energy projects of the BKs in India.

The next speaker Victor Jose, Project Officer of Health Care without Harm, described their program for youth.  Participants call themselves “CliMates” and work with role-play to make the necessary changes of mindset happen.

Sonja referred to the IPCCC report which is clearly highlighting values, ethics, lifestyle change and the importance of reflection.  She than asked the audience to take a moment of silence, remember their favourite place in nature and think about their purpose in being at this conference.

The last speaker was Malte Hentschke from the Klima Allianz, based in Germany.  He talked about their work with both NGO and faith communities.

There were questions from the audience about how an individual changing will impact society and about meditation.  Sonja guided the final meditation and Carolin closed the program.

Interfaith event arranged by the Franciscans

Valerian, Ewa, Zbyszek and Aneta participated in an Interfaith Event organized by the Franciscans at the Parish Hall of St. Stephen’s Church in Katowice.  The topic was “Climate Crisis and Role of the Faith based Communities for Climate Justice”.  There were 8 panelists representing the Franciscan ecology movement, the Global Catholic Movement, NGOs and interestingly, the Chairman of the Miners’ Trade Union in Poland.  All the panelists shared their views on the current state of the world, and the challenges and solutions they see for them.