Symposium on Sustainability and Spirituality: Building Ecologies of Hope

Background

The environmental crisis is often seen as a reflection of a deeper spiritual crisis – one of disconnection from nature, consumerism, and loss of purpose. In many societies, economic growth has been pursued at the expense of environmental degradation. A spiritual lens offers alternative narratives of prosperity – ones based on harmony with nature, simplicity, and sufficiency rather than consumption and extraction. Much may be gained by creating a space where practical solutions for environmental sustainability are informed by the deep, transformative power of spiritual and ethical teachings.

The symposium is based on this perceived need to better understand how sustainability and spirituality may be included as part of study programmes.

It will explore the profound interconnections between environmental sustainability and spiritual well-being. This symposium seeks to create a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue, fostering a deeper understanding of how spiritual and ethical values can inform and drive sustainable practices, ultimately building communities rooted in hope and resilience.

Objectives

The objectives of the symposium are: 

• to promote the importance of the topic of sustainability and spirituality in research and study programmes
• to discuss the interconnections between environmental sustainability and spiritual well-being
• to provide a platform for universities to share successful initiatives in respect of research and teaching in these areas, and promote good practice
• to encourage partnerships between universities, industry experts, and government bodies working in this field

The event also aims to motivate universities to implement new, effective teaching and research initiatives which may foster a better awareness among students of the many opportunities offered by the inclusion of a spiritual dimension in university programmes.

Chairpersons 

• Prof Walter Leal, Manchester Met and Hamburg University of Applied Sciences
• Dr Adriana Consorte-McCrea, Academy for Sustainable Futures, Canterbury Christ Church University 
• Dr Ivan Khovacs, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Educational Studies, Canterbury Christ Church University  
• Dr Simon Wilson, Senior Lecturer, Theology, Religion, Philosophy and Ethics, Canterbury Christ Church University
• Dr Maria Diemling, Reader in Jewish-Christian Relations, School of Humanities and Educational Studies, Canterbury Christ Church University 
• Revd Jeremy Law, Dean of Chapel, Canterbury Christ Church University  
• Pauline Elwell, Senior Lecturer, Counselling Coaching and Mentoring, Canterbury Christ Church University 
• Dr Sonia Overall, Reader in Creative Writing, Canterbury Christ Church University 
• Dr Dennis Nigbur, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Canterbury Christ Church University 

Topics 

We expect contributions to be around one or more of the following topics:

1. Integrating Spirituality into Sustainable Living:

• How spiritual beliefs and practices can foster sustainable behaviours and lifestyles. 
• Case studies of communities successfully integrating spirituality with environmental practices. 

2. Ecospirituality and Environmental Ethics: 

• Exploring the role of spiritual traditions in shaping ethical approaches to environmental issues. 
• The moral imperatives of sustainability from various religious and spiritual perspectives. 

3. Spiritual Ecology: Understanding the Sacredness of Nature: 

• How different spiritual traditions view the natural world as sacred. 
• Rituals and practices that honour and protect the environment. 

4. Hope and Resilience: Spiritual Approaches to Climate Change: 

• The role of hope and spiritual resilience in facing climate crises. 
• Stories of communities finding spiritual strength to combat environmental challenges. 

5. Sustainable Practices in Sacred Spaces: 

• Implementing green technologies and sustainable practices in places of worship. 
• Case studies of eco-friendly religious buildings and their impact. 

6. Interfaith Dialogue on Sustainability: 

• Collaborative efforts among different religious traditions to promote environmental sustainability. 
• Success stories of interfaith initiatives for ecological conservation. 

7. Nature as a Spiritual Teacher: 

• Learning from nature through a spiritual lens. 
• Workshops and experiential sessions on connecting deeply with the natural world. 

8. The Role of Indigenous Spiritualities in Environmental Stewardship: 

• Insights from indigenous spiritual practices on sustainable living. 
• Protecting indigenous lands and knowledge as a means of ecological preservation. 

9. Building Ecological Communities of Faith: 

• Creating and sustaining eco-communities centred around shared spiritual values. 
• Best practices for fostering community engagement in environmental initiatives. 

10. Art and Spirituality in Promoting Environmental Awareness: 

• How art inspired by spiritual themes can raise awareness about sustainability. 
• Showcasing eco-art that communicates messages of hope and environmental stewardship. 

11. Meditation and Mindfulness for Ecological Awareness: 

• Using meditation and mindfulness practices to deepen ecological consciousness. 
• Techniques and benefits of nature-based mindfulness practices. 

12. Spiritual Reflections on Consumption and Simplicity: 

• Spiritual teachings on simplicity and their implications for sustainable consumption. 
• Reducing ecological footprints through mindful living. 

13. Healing the Earth: Spiritual Practices for Environmental Restoration: 

• Rituals, prayers, and ceremonies dedicated to healing the planet. 
• Community-based spiritual approaches to ecological restoration projects. 

 
The topics discussed in the symposium aim to foster a rich dialogue that bridges the gap between spiritual values and sustainable practices, inspiring participants to build ecologies of hope.  

We invite diverse contributions including talks, posters, workshops, temporary art installations and other creative responses. The conference proposes to offer a space for creative, reflective and discursive activities. We welcome alternative approaches to sharing and discussing ideas, including walking or site-specific activities; please get in touch to outline your ideas. 

Target audience

The event will interest experts from diverse fields such as environmental science, theology, philosophy, sociology, humanities and economics, who are looking to explore the intersection of sustainability and spirituality.

Organisers

• The UK Consortium on Sustainability Research (UK-CSR)
• Canterbury Christ Church University – event host

In cooperation with:

• the European School of Sustainability Science and Research (ESSSR)
• the Inter-University Sustainable Development Research Programme (IUSDRP)
• the European North American Sustainability Research Consortium (ENASRC), and more

How to participate 

If you’re interested in contributing to the event, send an abstract of 200 words to [email protected]. Include the title of the contribution and your full contact details. 

Deadlines

• Submission of abstracts: 20 December 2024
• Full papers: 10 May 2025

Please note that the deadline for submitting abstracts is not the date they are due. Rather, this is the last possible date. To avoid possible disappointments, colleagues are kindly requested to consider sending their abstracts as soon as possible. 

Publishing opportunity 

Papers admitted and presented at this event may be submitted to the book ‘Sustainability and Spirituality: Building Ecologies of Hope’.  Springer Nature will publish this as part of the World Sustainability Series, the leading peer-reviewed book series on sustainability in a higher education context. 

How to register 

Registrations will close on 30 May 2025. If we select your abstract, we’ll send you the registration details.

Registration fees 

The registration fee is £170 or €190. This offsets some of the preparation costs and book production. It includes the coffee breaks and lunches on the two days. We’ll send invoices to the registered delegates, using the information provided during registration. 

Contact details

Please send questions about scientific inputs, publication, and strategic partnerships to Professor Walter Leal  (BSc, PhD, DSc, DPhil, DEd, DLitt, FSB, FRGS, FLS), UK-CSR and Adriana Consorte.

• [email protected]
• [email protected]