IEF 29th Annual Conference

Building Capacity for Sustainability Discourse and Action

At the Baha’i Training Centre near Oxford, UK
26 - 29 June 2025

After a series of virtual annual conferences, the International Environment Forum was excited to invite local friends as well as people from other countries to this in-person conference!

The majority of participants came from the UK, but there were also representatives from Austria, Belize, Bosnia Herzegovina, France, Germany, Republic of Ireland, Latvia, The Netherlands, Norway, Puerto Rico, Serbia and Montenegro, Sweden, Switzerland, USA, and Yemen. The total number of participants was 65, with 38 staying for the entire conference. The picture shows most participants present on Friday afternoon.

The program included study sessions, discussions, outdoor activities, and a hybrid panel. It was a weekend of reflection, collaboration, and action—where science, values, and community came together for a sustainable future.

This video clip (1:16) captures the spirit of the conference (thanks to Isabella Djalili-Devine).

Some insights from conference participants after attending are shared here.

Conference programme outline

IEF 29th CONFERENCE REPORT

Building Capacity for Sustainability Discourse and Action

Day 1: Thursday 26 June

After a beautiful evening devotional programme which included music, welcoming words were given by Nava Khorram who helped organize the conference.

Sharlie opened the devotional part with a piece of Bach played with the cello, after which participants listened to multiple quotations exploring spirit and matter, the integrity of creation, the flowering of virtues, humanity’s essential oneness and the knowledge that comes from recognizing God. With a second Bach piece, Sharlie concluded the devotional part.

Wendi Momen of the UK National Spiritual Assembly then extended a warm welcome to Bahá’ís and friends alike. We then were invited to formulate a learning question for the conference.

Dr Arthur Dahl, founder and president of the International Environment Forum (IEF) presented IEF and its website, and reminded the audience the purpose of IEF, with its two focus areas, public discourse on environment and sustainability and inspiring its members to contribute to social and environmental action around the world. (See https://iefworld.org/aboutief.htm). IEF website is very rich with relevant information with more than 1500 posts. There are many resources online available for learning. IEF is a virtual organisation with no funding, based on the work of volunteers. IEF therefore is always looking for volunteers who contribute in various ways.

Dr Sylvia Karlsson-Vinkhuizen presented the study session to take place the next morning on reading the environmental reality.

To turn acquaintances into friends, Ineke Gjisbers launched a lively game that got us literally connected.

Finally Daniel guided us all with a set of beautiful songs into singing along, rounding off the formal programme. Tea, cookies, and animated conversations carried the spirit into the evening.

Day 2: Friday 27 June

The day started with an uplifting morning devotional with music, songs, prayers, chanting and sing-along “When the Saints Go Marching in” accompanied by harmonica.

In summarising today’s environmental challenges, Arthur Dahl showed the complex risks to communities from issues that are environmental: climate change, drought, floods, wildfires, agricultural failures; social: pandemics, fragmentation, political manipulation, misinformation and disinformation; economic: recession, inflation, overwhelming debt, extremes of wealth and poverty, unemployment, bankruptcies; and political: oppression, conflict, war. While we cannot predict the future, science gives us some direction such as planetary boundaries, the dangers from greenhouse gas emissions by corporate polluters, the vulnerable food system, biodiversity loss and pollution. The Bahá’í writings warn about catastrophe and the destruction of cities as we face a most perilous period on the way to the lesser peace. Acknowledging that the spiritual precedes the material, communities should build their capacity to read their local reality, consult on the options and resources available, and strengthen their resilience to live through the challenges ahead. Inequality increases risks for the most vulnerable. Community solidarity is the best insurance in difficult times. We have tools to build solidarity, welcome diversity, transform society, and maintain hope in the future, setting an example for others. You can see the opening presentation here: Today's Environmental Challenges.

After the presentation, the participants studied and reflected in groups on “Reading our Environmental Reality.” Each group focused on a different reality—urban, rural, global, professional, or school/university. The study material was based on Engaging in Social Action by the Ruhi Institute and the Transformative Change Assessment of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). The Transformative Change Assessment discusses how the direct drivers that damage our ecosystems—such as climate change, land use change, and exploitation—are influenced by indirect social, economic, and technological drivers. These indirect drivers, in turn, are shaped by our values and behaviours. Disconnection from and domination over nature and people, concentration of power and wealth, and the prioritization of short-term, individual, and materialistic gains are particularly highlighted as underlying causes impacting our planet.

Participants reflected on their own local environments and how disconnection from and domination over nature are evident in their specific contexts. One of the groups discussed that we, by spending a lot of time indoors, are increasing our disconnection to nature. By studying passages from the Universal House of Justice and the Bahá'í International Community, they considered how injustice and materialism—at both a fundamental and spiritual level—are affecting our realities. Learning from one another and drawing on insights from both science and religion, participants were inspired to consider how their conversations and actions for the environment in their local contexts can address the important questions of justice, connection to nature, and materialism. One group reflected on the need for a reconceptualisation of what a successful life means, with more focus on learning, understanding and happiness.

Friday afternoon in nature:

Coordinators Michael Richards and Ineke Gjisbers led a group of 25 conference participants on a nature walk of about one and a half hours in Whitecross Green Wood, owned and managed by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT), a registered charity that manages many nature and wildlife reserves in the area. We were very fortunate to have as our guide a senior BBOWT manager, Mark Vallance. Mark started by providing us with a short history of the wood, including noting that it was a royal hunting wood from Elizabethan times and before; he was very knowledgeable on the wildflowers, butterflies (we were lucky enough to see the silver-winged fritillary butterfly), moths, grasses and other fauna/flora we saw on the walk. One of the highlights was a beautiful pond in the clearing that was completely unpolluted by agricultural chemicals. Mark also emphasised the importance for biodiversity of creating multiple and multi-level habitats side-by-side, and of successional management for healthy and biodiverse ecosystems. The group was therefore able to see a wonderful example of 'unity in diversity' in the natural world.

Mark also shared statistics about how much biodiversity has been lost in the UK over the years, encouraging us to have gardens with wildflowers/native plants if possible to host pollinators and support biodiversity. It was a delightful walk and educational experience.

Friday afternoon gardening:

Some of those who did not go on the walk helped to tidy up the garden around the BTC. This included, weeding the parking area and pruning the hedges around the entrance signs to the property.

Friday afternoon workshop:

Conference participants took part in a workshop coordinated by Christine Muller entitled “Applying Baháʼí teachings to environmental problems.” They grouped up and discussed how spiritual concepts can assist in solving environmental problems. The discussion centred on the quote (from a tablet revealed by Baháʼu'lláh) “Each one of the ordinances We have revealed is a mighty stronghold for the preservation of the world of being.” Keeping this in mind, participants thought of ordinances such as “agreement of science and religion,” “moderation,” and “justice.” They conversed about how these ordinances relate to environmental stewardship and how we can use them for a greener and more equitable world.

Friday evening case studies:

In the evening, 12 case studies were presented from the UK and around the world, with in-between two beautiful pieces of music sung by Martina Muller with Christine Muller on the piano, composed by Christine Muller.

1) Presented by Sarah Richards, the ”Carbon cutters“ initiative started in Abingdon, near Oxford 20 years ago with some individuals who wanted to contribute to reduce waste and promote the effective use of energy to reduce emissions at the individual and community level and build local know-how. They have been collaborating with faith-based organisations, with interfaith services together, and included religious and non religious communities.

2) Presented by Ashiyan Rahman who did his PhD in Hawaii on Fiji: Exploring how inclusive innovations were carried out by women leaders in rural Fiji. He looked at the role of women and economic development in relation to agriculture and the importance of inclusive education, and how women leaders in Fiji can adapt to extreme weather conditions, with the example of devastation from category 5 Tropical Cyclone Winston in Fiji in February 2015. Weather reports were not using a language usable for the public. Practical information had to be shared by women for women, through the radio for communities to know what needed to be done to prepare and adapt to the consequences of the devastating cyclone. That experience in rural Fiji showed how community radio and simple mobile apps spread storm alerts, coordinate shelters and strengthen resilience to extreme weather.

3) Rozita Leetham presented the project Lifelines - Hedgerow planting in London, where a number of organisations were involved in planting shrubs and trees in London. It showed initiatives where a local group turns into a living classroom for soil restoration and community composting.

4) Shanta Chellappoo/ Maria Marshall: Learn and grow: Empowering Youth and Tackling Food Insecurity in the Borough: Maria would bring fresh fruits to the junior youth group and realised they had never eaten one!. So they have been in contact with food banks who want to reduce dependency on processed food, and to get access to fresh products. The learning process included the importance of reading the reality and finding ways to address the issues in a learning mode while involving the junior youth themselves as protagonists of the change taking place. The experience with junior youth also demonstrated that learning to prepare inexpensive, plant-rich meals can link nutrition, economics and social bonding.

5) In Northern Ireland, Les Gornall, Magherafelt Baha’i Community: ’Surviving Rapid Inflation’. During and after the Covid crisis, inflation became very strong and the cost of living rose. Les and his community invited 26 people who came in a public space to speak about their various expertise on what they could do to contribute to the betterment of society. A large number of people came and established lasting relationships. It started from pandemic food parcels to an enduring interfaith volunteer network.

6) A Community orchard project in the UK was initiated and funding provided from the local council for planting fruit trees. Local MP came for the picture. This initiative is part of the Community building process and includes people from all ages and from different faiths. Facing rapid inflation and runaway energy prices, farmers joined to learn how to reduce their costs with creativity, sharing, and community building.

7) Faraz Maani sent a report on an initiative on agriculture practice in China using a systems approach for the production of nutritious fruits and nuts. For urban consumers, fruit production provides benefits at many levels. The farmer serves the community but is not always financially rewarded, so 12-15 employees have been engaged in a consultative process, and they are artisans more than just workers. The University came to engage with the project for learning and educational purposes. It also provides opportunities for nature and life projects for junior youth.

8) Rolf Schmidt from Scotland, presented the Light Green Fridays alternative from Black Friday. The Light Green Friday project is a non competitive exercise to help people reflect on excessive consumption encouraged by advertising and the media.

9) Maureen Sier presented the COP26 Pledge and interfaith initiatives from the UK Bahá’ís of Glasgow on COP 26 in 2021 where all faith traditions were present. They all agreed with 19 eco pledges of practical actions. One of the pledges was done in the week. Investment was considered. Special interest groups were formed on the environment. At a faith-based climate week with the community of the sacred Iona Island, a Message of solidarity was sent to the people of Samoa.

10) A written report was sent Noushin Irani from the German ABS Environmental Interest Group: Case study about efforts at the Bahá’í House of Worship: The “1001 Tomatoes” Biodiversity Project from an environment research group in Germany. The idea emerged to start a project called 1001 tomatoes. Growing and propagation was launched in 2024. Seeds were provided and seedlings from tomato plants were planted in May at the house of worship which resulted in a large variety and rich amount of tomatoes. Junior youth groups were involved in preparing seedlings and planting them near the Bahá’í House of Worship in Germany.

11) Laurent Mesbah presented the power of community gardens with examples from the United Arab Emirates, from Singapore and from Sarajevo, which also included school pedagogical gardens. Each of these gardens provides opportunities for communities to connect between generations around the production of fruits and vegetables but also to learn more and connect with nature, science and arts. This also allows community members to practice important values such as effort, patience, perseverance, respect and cooperation.

12) Monica Maghami (helped by Arsha and Paul Caprez) presented the Chiswick Community Garden in London: the Chiswick community garden is part of a 9 year process of various community social actions. The idea of a community garden came recently from the youth and junior youth who wished to grow their own food and have a garden in a common space available between buildings. The nucleus of friends, protagonists for activities in the neighbourhood, approached the local council authorities who decided to support the initiative and provided materials and tools together with the technical training for the involvement of the communities among which the junior youth group and youth play an important role.

Day 3: Saturday 28 June

The morning session “Contributing to action and discourse” was organized and led by Dr. Sylvia Karlsson-Vinkhuyzen. The session started with inspiring devotions and music. Dr. Karlsson-Vinkhuyzen gave a brief overview of the some of the key characteristics of environmental social action in our communities, including that the communities are 1) vibrant and outwardly-looking; 2) concerned with material and spiritual development; and 3) contribute to discourses that influence the direction of action. The power of conversation is that we can share and explore our visions of progress. Some of the other ideas introduced in this part of the session included the importance of moderation in our approaches, the value of the Nine-Year Plan as a guide to our efforts, and the potential for junior youth in these spaces. To more thoroughly explore the steps we are taking towards social actions in our own contexts and spheres of influence, participants broke up into several groups to study and reflect on several quotes related to social action. The groups included urban, rural, university, young professionals, and global conversations. One of the groups discussed how we have implemented environmental actions in our communities, the spiritual qualities we draw on in these actions, and how the institute process empowers us to take these actions.

Saturday afternoon outdoor:

On Saturday afternoon, conference participants split up into groups for an afternoon activity. The three main activities were: a nature walk in Whitecross Green Wood, a gardening service activity on the grounds of the conference venue (the Baháʼí Training Centre in Bicester), and a discussion for and by youth.

Gardeners either weeded near young planted trees or rooted up brambles located at the back of the property. Six or so participants gardened, in groups of three, and participated in kind conversation. After working in the hot afternoon sun and making progress, they went inside to enjoy cool lemon water and fresh watermelon.

The smaller group that went on the nature walk at Whitecross Green Wood, led by Ineke Gjisbers, enjoyed the beauty and diversity of the woodland setting, including orchids and other wildflowers, and the gradual replacement of conifer plantations by diverse forest regeneration.

Saturday late afternoon:

Victoria Thoresen led a discussion game about the interconnectedness of environmental and social issues. The game used the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to demonstrate the complexities of creating policies and implementing the goals. There were three boards with dials – one for themes (examples: food, shelter, transport), one for the SDGs, and one for actors (examples: governments, businesses, civil society). In the role-playing game, people were assigned a role and were asked to share “their” position on a theme (for example: leisure) related to a SDG (example: good jobs and economic growth). The game demonstrated how different actors have different values and how those values can conflict. One of the conclusions after reflecting about the game was that one of the remedies to the conflict is the Baha’i principle of consultation that could invite more adequate consideration of difficult topics.

Saturday evening:

There was an evening hybrid panel with five inspiring examples of Motivating Transformative Change that was moderated by Dr. Serik Tokbolat representing the Baha’i Office of Public Affairs for the UK. He explained that each of the panelists would give a presentation and then a question-and-answer period would follow.

Here is a recording of this hybrid panel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57rfYzfyyKQ 

The first presenter was Dr. Michael Richards who presented about “Tropical Deforestation – Causes and Solutions.” Dr. Richards presented his research in deforestation. He explained there are drivers of deforestation including market failure, policy failure, climate change, and population pressures. He also shared solutions including payments for ecosystem services, policy change, and tree planting. He concluded that spiritual values can counter materialism and are a basis for environmental stewardship.

The second presentation was by Kristian Noll from the London School of Economics. He shared his experiences in his presentation, “Motivating Transformative Change Requires a new “why.” He shared that through his role he convenes different actors and has experience working with legislatures in the UK and Germany. He said that it is not enough to have partnerships, that change is dependent on the system, people’s relationship to nature, and the people. He discussed a need for pragmatism and that we need to understand policy processes and what agencies can do. He said a new “why” would lead to better discourse, use less technical language and better relate to people’s experiences. It would be a way to better engage youth. Kristian argued that “change stalls when the ‘why’ is borrowed.” He proposed a values-to-vision audit for organizations: surface core motives, translate them into plain language, and back every target with a story people would tell even if no one paid them.

Monica Maghami presented her work in “Women and the Environment,” where she identified three main crises: climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. She shared from the UN Office of Sustainable Development that gender equality is not only a human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. Ms. Maghami further described the root causes of gender inequality, slow progress, and system failures. She introduced three transformative themes that would address these overlapping crises and gender inequalities including through leadership and systems thinking. Transformation would come from improving women and girls’ opportunities and the environment. She focused on women as both stewards and victims of degraded environments. Drawing on data from multiple sources, she showed that regions with higher female ownership report measurably better societal cohesion and economic well-being.

Ash is a high school geography teacher who draws on his life experiences to motivate and inspire his students and described these experiences in his presentation “Changing the World vs Worlds.” He comes from a family that practices permaculture. Where he is from his uncle has a fish pond where he grows bamboo and that bamboo supports Bangladeshi pumpkins. He explained that nature is part of life. He saw as a child that he wanted to change the world, and he brings those experiences to build empathy and resilience in his students. Among the lessons he brought to his students include skills such as planting trees, building positive relationships with other people, and the ability to see others perspectives – changing their worlds every day. He shared advice for engaging with youth: recognize their humanity, be truthful, and be authentic.

The last presentation was by Dr Victoria Thoresen about “Aiming at well-being for all.” She explained that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's) were the first global collective steps towards constructive change that embraces environment, economics, and well-being. She explained that one of the challenges is that the goals don't give solid measurable targets. They don't help someone be a good person or develop measures of generosity or trust. They do help to answer the question of what kind of enabling environment will help to engage youth or adults in climate action. The SDG's do help communities learn to communicate and provide a framework for planning and inclusion. Dr Thoresen indicated that education must move from imparting knowledge to rehearsing future-fit behaviour. She recommended project-based curricula that link well-being, equity and ecological ceilings in every subject from maths to music.

You can read more about the hybrid panel about Motivating Transformative Change here.

Day 4: Sunday 29 June

The final substantive session on Sunday morning was Where do we go from here? - How can we integrate the environment in public discourse, social action, and community building? This was oriented towards action on the issues discussed during the conference in self-formed groups. A number of specific needs within IEF were proposed.

One specific topic was requested by the UK Office of Public Affairs, to brainstorm on the Global Ethical Stocktake to be discussed at climate change COP30. Another concerned the use of social media, video and the IEF website. Youth gathered to discuss the IEF youth team.

In exploring the Global Ethical Stocktake and the concept note prepared by the Brazilian presidency of COP30, it was noted that nature brings science and art together. There is so much beauty in nature with spiritual meaning. Beauty is also exemplified in the Bahá’í Gardens at the World Centre and around the Houses of Worship. Japanese gardens have a spiritual dimension and encourage meditation. Indigenous spirituality includes a holistic world view with no separation between people and nature, as in Mother Earth, and proposals for deep sea mining are attacking the ocean that is an intimate part of island peoples. Music is also an art that builds unity.

In another group participants came together to explore the idea of launching a podcast focused on environment and sustainability, led by one member who works at a radio station in the U.S. The group agreed that the podcast would center on practical, individual actions in response to climate change. The session proved to be highly productive, with a working title for the podcast selected and a range of engaging topics proposed—such as how to incorporate sustainability into everyday choices, including strategies to avoid fast fashion and shop more consciously.

A few participants also consulted on the work of the IEF youth team. The IEF youth team has previously organized study sessions and youth gatherings online. The consultation resulted in multiple young conference participants showing interest in being a part of the IEF youth team and a poll being sent out to find a time to meet again.

Closing

There was appreciation that we were able to meet physically after several virtual conferences, renewing old friendships and making new ones. The environment is an umbrella topic that unites us, bringing the scientific and spiritual together, and linking a global vision with local action in our communities. The diversity of incredible case studies showed what action could lead to. The experience of the elders empowered the youth, replacing hopelessness with the energy and inspiration to build together a more balanced way of life. The hope for humanity lies here.

Thanks to Laurent Mesbah, Cedric Bagheri Åkermark, Nia Beane, Arthur Dahl, Nava Khorram Ahmad Amin, Moghaddam, Michael Richards, and Katie Williams for contributing to this report.

The IEF expresses its gratitude to Wendi Momen who spent the whole time in the kitchen serving as the chief cook (thanks for the tasty and healthy vegetarian meals!), to Kian Golestani who assisted her, and to Moojan Momen who managed the Café. Special thanks also go to the wonderful custodians of the Baha'i Training Centre Manijeh and David Smith.

The International Environment Forum appreciates its conference co-sponsors: ebbf-Ethical Business Building the Future and National Alliance of Women's Organisations (NAWO).

Conference Concept

At a time when the forces of disintegration, including the triple environmental crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, are threatening people everywhere, the world-wide Bahá’í community is working at the grass roots to strengthen forces of integration, bringing people together for unity in diversity. The 29th annual conference of the International Environment Forum aimed to contribute to these efforts toward building a world where we live in harmony with nature and with each other. The primary tools we explored for this purpose were social action and public discourse.

The International Environment Forum is a Bahá’í-inspired professional organisation for the environment and sustainability that has, over many years, gathered knowledge and created materials to build capacity for taking part in both social action and public discourse, demonstrating the complementarity of scientific and spiritual approaches in addressing environmental issues. The 29th annual conference focused on sharing and further developing this knowledge together with participants in support of the goals of the present plan of the worldwide Bahá’í community.

In social action, communities read their local reality and needs, set their own priorities within the resources available, and initiate actions to improve life in their community. This could be a group of young people engaging in an environmental clean-up, or some neighbours starting a community garden. Public discourse might be sharing both scientific information and spiritual principles of justice and solidarity about climate change, presenting the Bahá’í approach to welcoming migrants and refugees, or organising an interfaith gathering to pray for peace.

There is a particular need to address the materialistic consumer society that has driven us far beyond the sustainable limits of the Earth’s resources. Advertising and social media cultivate addictions in the name of profits. Fake news, disinformation and conspiracy theories entrap people in distrust and fear. The conference explored these issues and how to find positive ways forward, overcoming anxiety about the direction the world is taking and providing both scientific knowledge and spiritual principles that can motivate constructive action.

The conference was participatory in its format and encouraged joint learning. It welcomed people of all ages but particularly youth and those working with youth and junior youth groups as animators to explore how their activities relate to environmental issues as part of their local - and global - reality. Together we learned how to build capacity for both public discourse and social action drawing on resources from Baha’i educational materials and beyond. The conference organisers also welcomed young and old Bahá'ís who are engaged in environmental social action who shared their experience. There was a hands-on environmental service project on the grounds of the Baha'i Training Centre, and walks in a nearby wood to experience nature first-hand.