29th Annual Conference of the International Environment Forum
Motivating Transformative Change
Hybrid Panel, Saturday, 28 June 2025
Panelists shared thoughts and experiences about how transformative change has happened and what kind of motivation has helped them initiate or sustain it.
This hybrid event took place in person at the Baha’i Training Centre near Oxford, UK, and was also available online. A recording of this panel is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57rfYzfyyKQ
Moderator:
Dr. Serik Tokbolat, Assistant Professor in Sustainability and Sustainable Construction Engineering at the University of Nottingham
Panelists:
Dr Michael Richards, Natural Resources Economist
Monica E. Maghami, regulatory lawyer in sustainability and technology, NAWO
Kristian Noll, Partnerships and Impact Coordinator at the LSE Religion and Global Society Unit
Ash, Teacher of Geography
Victoria W. Thoresen, emerita, former UNESCO Chair for Education for Sustainable Lifestyles
Brief descriptions
TROPICAL DEFORESTATION - CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS by Dr Michael Richards
Michael Richards first briefly presented the importance of tropical forests and current rate of deforestation. He then discussed the main direct and indirect causes of tropical deforestation, outlined some attempted solutions, and said what he thinks needs to happen, including how the solutions have a strong ethical and equity basis. He finished with a reference to the importance of spiritual principles in these solution.
WOMEN AND THE ENVIRONMENT by Monica E. Maghami
Today, there are complex and interlocking crises, such as climate change induced disasters with livelihoods that women often pursue. These livelihoods are directly dependent on stable and healthy ecosystems. Evidence reveals that this process is currently upset, with women much more at risk of losing access to land and shelter, as well as financial support or recourse. Women, with their broad range of human experiences, can provide insights that enable the construction of a fuller picture of reality. For example, to address the triple planetary crisis, attention should be drawn to a few challenges which must be examined in the light of certain principles and aims that can potentially shape responses. Monica's analysis highlighted how women offer approaches to mitigating climate change — characterised by predictability, adaptability, and resilience — while prioritising the safety of families, communities, and the natural environment.
MOTIVATING TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE REQUIRES FINDING A NEW 'WHY?' by Kristian Knoll
In his presentation, Kristian Knoll reflected on the role faith plays in motivating a new 'why' for transformative change. Drawing on his experiences leading initiatives to bring young people of faith into international climate policymaking and his own Christian faith, he outlined how established paradigms of thinking within political discussions on the climate constrain our ability to build meaningful bridges with important stakeholders. He then reflected on some impactful ways drawing on religious narratives of sense making which can equip us with an innovative framework and impactful language to facilitate more productive engagement within climate policy discussions.
CHANGING THE WORLD VS WORLDS by Ash
Ash explored transformative change through the lens of a teenager to a young adult. He 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. 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.
AIMING AT WELL-BEING FOR ALL by Victoria Thoresen
Comprehensive, constructive change is dependent upon individuals as well as systems developing the ability to envision, learn, reflect and collaborate. With the adoption of Agenda 2030, the international community has envisioned a future global system of peace and well-being for all. The Sustainable Development Goals of Agenda 2030 were the first global collective steps towards constructive change that embrace environment, economics, and well-being. She explained that one of the challenges is that the goals don't give solid measurable targets, and many short-term, egocentric priorities undermine their achievement. They don't help someone be a good person or develop measures of generosity or trust. The SDGs do help to answer the question of what kind of enabling environment will help to engage youth or adults in climate action. They 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. She asked what can be learned from the progress (and lack of progress) of Agenda 2030 that will provide us with the motivation to carry out the changes that are needed?
Speaker biographies
 Dr Michael Richards |
 Monica E. Maghami (LLB, LLM) is a global regulatory lawyer with two decades of experience in AI, ESG, sustainability, and human rights. A third-generation advocate for women’s rights, she joined the NAWO Board in 2024. Monica also serves on the Boards of IEF and IF20/G20, championing inclusive global dialogue. She bridges policy and practice between the Global North and South, driving gender justice, digital equity, and systemic change in response to today’s global challenges. |
 Kristian Noll is the Partnerships and Impact Coordinator at the London School of Economics (LSE) Religion and Global Society Unit, where he leads climate-focused knowledge exchange initiatives, working with diplomats, policymakers, and advocates and contributes regularly to public discourse through op-eds and podcasts. He is also Chair of the UNEP Faith for Earth Youth Council, spearheading global initiatives that integrate faith and environmental sustainability, and Co-Convenor of the Youth Forum for Faith and Ecology, a network of UK-based youth engaged in faith-based climate advocacy. Previously, he worked in the UK House of Commons and Deutscher Bundestag and holds an MSc in Environmental Policy and Regulation from LSE. |
 Ash is a Geography teacher in Luton, working with 11–18-year-olds to help them understand their role in shaping a better world. With a degree in Global Challenges and Social Cohesion from Brunel University, he promotes community-driven sustainability. Ash has led tree planting, eco peace walks, and proposed a local calisthenics park for wellbeing. He is launching a Geography Club to empower students in environmental action, believing education should foster connection, care, and courage. |
 Victoria W. Thoresen: As an educator, researcher, author and international consultant, Victoria Thoresen was founder and director of The Collaborative Learning Centre for Sustainable Development at the Inland Norway University. She has worked closely with UNEP, UNESCO, the E.U. and other international agencies. Thoresen was appointed UNESCO Chair for Education for Sustainable Lifestyles and is also presently adjunct professor at the University of Fort Hare in South Africa. |
 Moderator Dr. Serik Tokbolat is Assistant Professor in Sustainability and Sustainable Construction Engineering at the University of Nottingham. |
This panel was part of the IEF 29th Annual Conference. For more information about its entire programme, go to https://iefworld.org/conf29.
Last updated 10 July 2025