Wildlife Conservation: Conservation, values and religion

Conservation, values and religion - a ZSL Science and Conservation Event.

The importance of values and religion to conservation may be lost on many people (except for perhaps an acknowledgement of nature-friendly indigenous values). Yet, when it comes to practical on-the-ground conservation engagement and leveraging major behavioural shifts, the importance of values and religion is paramount. The eleven major faiths have incomparable influence when it comes to changing behaviour amongst their adherents who represent about 85% of the global population and own 7% of the Earth’s habitable surface. Certainly, these faiths pre-date post-Copernican scientific understanding; however, all contain at least the seeds of an environmental ethic.

A shift is under way from seeing humanity as set apart from nature to inextricably interconnected with it: the so-called ‘greening-of-religions’. This event will focus on the practical conservation benefits of engagement with faith-group partners.

Speakers

ISLAM
Fazlun Khalid - Founder, Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences (IFEES); and
Prof Stuart Harrop - Director of DICE and Project Leader of the Darwin Initiative project: Integrating religion within conservation: Islamic beliefs and Sumatran forest management

CHRISTIANITY
Simon Stuart - Chair, IUCN Species Survival Commission

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE AND DAOISM
Martin Palmer - Secretary General, The Alliance of Religions and Conservation

Organised by Dr Susanna Paisley, Director of Development, Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), University of Kent.

Conservation, values and religion Wildlife Conservation event abstracts (81 KB)

Please note that this event has already taken place.

This event in the 'Wildlife Conservation' series will begin at 6.00pm (doors from 5.00pm) and talks are scheduled to finish at 7.30pm; admission is free and open to everyone (no advance booking or registration required). This event will be held in the ZSL Meeting Rooms and seats will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

A 3-course vegetarian buffet-style dinner with cash bar will follow this event and places must be booked in advance. Please download above dinner booking form for further information.

ZSL Science and Conservation Events: An essential part of ZSL's work is to communicate relevant, high-quality zoological and conservation science. The integrated ZSL Science and Conservation Events programme includes Symposia, and the new 'Wildlife Conservation' and 'Communicating Science' series. Topics cover a wide variety of zoological and conservation themes, and international experts present and discuss their research.

Further Information: please contact Joy Hayward, Scientific Meetings Coordinator, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY.
Tel:+44 (0)20 7449 6227. Fax: +44 (0)20 7449 6411. E-mail: joy.hayward@zsl.org.

Related links
ZSL Science and Conservation Events
Map showing ZSL Meeting Rooms
Directions to ZSL London Zoo
UN International Year of Biodiversity
DICE, University of Kent