In a rare historic moment the Temple of Understanding will bring together sixty-six leaders of international interfaith organizations and other eminent visionaries to assess the challenges of the present ecological crisis and together co-create a new narrative in how we relate to the earth and its resources.

In addition to issuing a joint statement to Robert C. Orr, Under-Secretary General of the United Nations, these international visionaries will commit to taking action both within their communities and on a global scale. They will be invited to form a council for the newly created committee, The Interfaith Consortium for an Ecological Civilization (ICEC), which has been developed by the Temple of Understanding and other organizations in connection with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP).

Through his key note speech, Van Jones, prominent environmentalist and author of his bestselling book, The Green Collar Economy, will set the stage for a frank, penetrating and informative discussion among the visionary leaders. “Imagine a coalition that unites the best labor and business leaders, social justice activists, environmentalists, intellectuals, students, and more – all sharing the burdens and benefits, risks and rewards of the journey to a green-collar economy.” Van Jones, Environmentalist.

“Juliet, our founder, understood the power of a group for effective action. She would be so proud to see the continuation of her lifelong work to bring people together to create positive change,” said Alison Van Dyk, Executive Director.

The conference is being held in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the founding of The Temple of Understanding. The event will be held at the Pierre Hotel in New York City on October 19, 2010. Registration begins at 10 am, conference begins at 11am – 5pm.

Attending Interfaith Visionaries

• Mr. Macky Alston, Trustee, Hartley Film Foundation
• Mr. Jay Banerjei, Co-Founder, One People
• Mrs. Molly Banerjei, Co-Founder, One People
• H.H. Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati, Founder & Spiritual Director, Kashi Ashram (represented by Swami Anjani)
• The Rev. Canon Sally G. Bingham, Founder and President, Interfaith Power and Light
• Dr. Josef Boehle, Coordinator, UNESCO Chair in Interfaith Studies, University of Birmingham, UK
• Rev. Dr. Marcus Braybrooke, President, World Congress of Faiths
• Dr. Patrice Brodeur, Canada Research Chair on Islam, Pluralism, and Globalization, University of Montreal
• Dr. Suheil Bushrui, Baha’i Chair for World Peace, University of Maryland
• Ms. Majora Carter, Founder, Sustainable South Bronx
• Rev. Paul Chaffee, Executive Director, Interfaith Center at the Presidio
• Mr. Simon Cohen, Founder and Managing Director, Global Tolerance
• Rev. Dirk Ficca, Executive Director, Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions
• Rev. Dr. James Forbes, Founder and President, Healing of the Nations Foundation
• Ms. Tonya Gonnella Frichner, Founder and President, American Indian Law Alliance
• Dr. Carolyne Fuqua, Founder and President, Circles of Light
• Mr. Homi D. Gandhi, President, Zoroastrian Association of Greater New York
• The Rev. Cannon Charles P. Gibbs, Executive Director, United Religions Initiative
• Dr. Daniel Gomez-Ibanez, Founder, The International Committee for the Peace Council
• Ms. Bettina Gray, Chairperson, North American Interfaith Network
• Mr. Herman F. Greene, President, Center for Ecozoic Studies
• Mr. Alex Grey, Co-Founder, CosM Chapel of Sacred Art Gallery
• Mrs. Allyson Grey, Co-Founder, CosM Chapel of Sacred Art Gallery
• Dr. John Allen Grim, Senior Lecturer & Research Scholar, Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics, Yale University
• Rev. Fletcher Harper, Executive Director, GreenFaith
• Rev. Dr. Katharine Rhodes Henderson, President, Auburn Theological Seminary
• Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, President, Union Theological Seminary

Attending Environmental Advisers

• Dr. Robert Bell, Chairman of the Economics Department, Brooklyn College
• Mrs. Juanita Castaño, Director, New York Office of the United Nations Environment Programme
• Father John Chryssavgis, Founder, St. Andrew’s Theological College
• Rev. Dr. Kurt Johnson, Co-Founder, International Contemplative Alliance
• Mr. Dan Miner, Chair, Sierra Club, New York City Group
• Mr. Brian Rosborough, Founding Chairman, Earthwatch Institute
• Ms. Cynthia Sampson, Freelance editor and writer on environmental peacemaking, religion, and ecology
• Mr. James Sniffen, Program Officer, United Nation Environment Programme, NYC
• Mr. Tim Toben, Chair, NC Energy Policy Council

Seating is limited. RSVP is a must to attend the conference. Forward your press credentials to [email protected] or [email protected], or fax them to (212) 973-9225 no later than October 10, 2010 to secure your attendance. PRESS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO REGISTER ON SITE.