Protection of Mother Earth through Mindfulness & Prayer

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

SPEAKERS & MODERATORS 

1. Ravinder Kaur Nijjar Ravinder Kaur Nijjar is an educationalist, the Chair of Religions for Peace UK Women of Faith Network, a Sikh representative on the Religious Leaders of Scotland forum and former Convener of Interfaith Scotland.

2. Venerable U Dhammajiva, Abbot of Nissarana Vanaya Monastery & Co-Chair of ‘Mindfulness for Earth’ Abbot, Chief Preceptor & Meditation master, Nissarana Vanaya Monastery, Sri Lanka Founder, Sati Pasala Foundation. Venerable Uda Eriyagama Dhammajīva Mahā Thero is a revered present-day teacher and is the fourth Abbott and Chief Preceptor of Mitirigala Nissarana Vanaya. He is highly respected for his widely encompassing knowledge of the various meditation techniques, including Samatha as well as the Burmese Vipassanā methods.

3. Sister Isabel Smyth Sister Isabel Smyth worked in teacher training for 20 years, and has been engaged in interfaith work for a further 20 years. As a young nun, she was sent to study at Lancaster University – famous for its multi-faith approach to Religious Education. Isabel had become deeply involved in the work of a trail-blazing Church of Scotland Deaconess, Stella Reekie, who set up the first interfaith group in Scotland. Through her work with student teachers, and as the founding CEO of the Scottish Interfaith Council, Isabel has dedicated her life to helping people of different faiths to find a new way to live together. She is Honorary Lecturer in the Centre for Interfaith Studies at Glasgow University and the Scottish Catholic Bishops Associate Secretary for Interfaith Relations

4. Swami Gunatitananda Saraswati He is a seeker of the Truth and a disciple of Swami Chinmayananda, he studied Vedanta in India at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya of Chinmaya Mission. He is presently based in Chinmaya Mission of Sri Lanka as the resident Swami. In keeping with the vision of Chinmaya Mission – “Inner transformation of individuals resulting in a happy world around them”, he is engaged in sharing knowledge from the scriptures in the modern context, motivating adults and young adults to become positive contributors to society.

5. Valeriane Bernard Valeriane Bernard is a member of the Brahma Kumari community and is the Brahma Kumari World Spiritual University UN Representative in Geneva. Since 1992, Valériane has been actively involved in the ecological movement, promoting sustainable development and raising public awareness about the forces that drive climate change. Underpinning these community-based activities is her spiritual practice, her commitment to peace through meditation and creating tools of awareness to advance the condition of women, promote fair relationships with our environment, resolve workplace disharmony and through interfaith gatherings within the community, and broaden cultural understanding.

6. Ash-Sheikh Abdullah Mohideen, Director, Center for Islamic Studies, Colombo. Ash-Sheikh Abdullah Mohideen hails from Colombo. He is the former President and currently a Director at the Center for Islamic Studies. He graduated from the Naleemiah Islamic Institute in Sri Lanka and holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from the University of Peradeniya. He has also obtained a Masters Degree (M.A.) in Islamic Studies, from the International University of Africa in Khartoum. Ash-Sheikh Abdullah is a member of several social and religious organizations. He conducts regular lectures and sermons, in English, Tamil and Arabic, on various topics including the study of the Qur’an and coexistence in a multi-ethnic community.

7. Ven Ringu Tulku Rinpoche, Founder of Bodhicharya International & Co-Chair of ‘Mindfulness for Earth’ Ringu Tulku Rinpoche is a Buddhist Master of the Kagyu Order. He was trained under many great masters such as HH the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, HH Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and HH the 14th Dalai Lama. Since 1990 he has been traveling and teaching Buddhism and meditation at more than 50 Universities, Institutes and Buddhist Centers in Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and Asia. He founded Bodhicharya, an international organization that coordinates worldwide activities to preserve and transmit Buddhist teachings, to promote intercultural dialogues and educational & social projects.

8. Dr. Iyad Abumoghli, UNEP Faith for Earth & Co-Chair of ‘Mindfulness for Earth’ After graduating with a PhD in Chemical Engineering, Dr. Iyad worked in the private sector and universities for many years. When he began working with the UN, everything was grounded in environmental issues. Goals outlined in Agenda 21 from 1992, the Millenium Goals from 2000, and the Sustainable Development Goals from in 2015 forced Dr. Iyad to look even broader and consider structural and economic issues related to the environment. He recognized that he was passionate about the impact of humans on the earth and he asked himself, “What’s missing from all this?” He realized that environmental work is more than protecting trees or greening land; it’s also about what people believe in their hearts to be reasonable and good. A few years ago, he participated in seminars where organizations spoke on what religions have to say about biodiversity and the environment. He deeply felt that connection. Eventually, there was a discussion within UNEP about this movement of religious values for environmental protection, and Dr. Iyad wrote a paper on how UNEP could harness and build on this energy. This resulted in his appointment as Director of the Faith for Earth Initiative in 2017.

9. Ms Frances Hume, National Development Officer Interfaith Scotland: Frances has been involved with Interfaith Scotland (formerly The Scottish Inter Faith Council) since 2004, first as a volunteer and then as the Development Officer with the organization from July 2007. Frances supports 20 local interfaith groups across Scotland. She has also created interfaith resources for schools, faith and community groups and voluntary and statutory role of interfaith movements in climate protection. www.interfaithscotland.org

10. Dr. Tara De Mel, Co-Founder of ‘Mindfulness for Earth’ Initiative Tara is a Medical Doctor, university academic, former Advisor for President of Sri Lanka and former Secretary Ministry of Education. Currently, a member of Worldwide Commission to Educate All Kids Post Pandemic, Associate – Nissaranavanaya Meditation Monastery, CoFounder of Mindful Educators Sri Lanka www.mindfuleducators.lk and Education Forum Sri Lanka www.educationforum.lk  –  National Honors 2019 : Sri Lanka Sikkhamani.