The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) joins global leaders at COP28, in Dubai, with a delegation led by young climate activists seeking to amplify the urgent call to address the climate emergency. Over 60 delegates from 29 countries will attend in-person and online, emphasizing the need for action and support for vulnerable communities.
Young delegates from the Lutheran World Federation join hundreds of people from civil society organizations and faith communities across the globe to march through the venue of the United Nations climate change conference COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, calling for climate justice and urgent action. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
Empowering young activists at United Nations climate conference in Dubai
(LWI) - This year, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) will be well represented at COP28, the United Nations Climate Change Conference from 30 November to 12 December. As in previous years, the delegation is led by young climate activists. A delegation of over 60 people comes from 29 member churches in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, and North America. They will be attending the conference in-person and online, raising their voice at the climate negotiations and calling for action on commitments to address the climate emergency.
This will be the largest delegation the LWF has had at the conference. Online participation will allow double the number of delegates compared to previous years. “The large number of participants demonstrates the commitment of LWF member churches to engage in the climate debate,” said Elena Cedillo, LWF program executive for climate justice. It allows for the sharing of stories from the ground, both impacts of the climate emergency and of innovative and creative initiatives to address them. The LWF continues to be particularly committed to ensuring those most affected by climate change are heard and their needs prioritized in global climate policies and initiatives.
“By including the perspectives and experiences of communities from different regions, we can foster a more inclusive and impactful response to climate change impacts. It is through this collective effort that we can truly achieve climate justice and create a sustainable future for all," added Cedillo.
At COP28, the LWF is advocating for states to deliver on commitments made at previous conferences. Support to vulnerable communities is a key area. Many of them are already facing the irreversible consequences of climate change. The loss and damage fund, a breakthrough agreement introduced at the last conference, is meant to provide financial assistance to nations most vulnerable and impacted by the effects of climate change. Its purpose of service the needs and priorities of those impacted by climate induced loss and damage.
“Global warming of 1.1 degrees Celsius has caused changes in our common home that are unprecedented in recent human history, vulnerable communities are already stretched beyond the limits of their adaptive capacity” says Cedillo in conclusion. “Reliable loss and damage financing systems mean that climate-vulnerable communities receive the necessary assistance to protect their lives, livelihoods, and dignity.”
Names are listed in alphabetical order.
- Amos Mogoi - Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Ampri Samosir - The National Committee LWF Indonesia
- Ana Gabriela Solórzano Gudiel - Guatemala Lutheran Church
- Anania John Ndondole - Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania
- Andriamanatsoa Olivier Setra - Malagasy Lutheran Church
- Andriamitandrina Harikanto Iangotiana Tobintsoa - Malagasy Lutheran Church
- Anna-Lena Martschinke - Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany
- Baissini Athanase - Church of the Lutheran Brethren of Cameroon
- Carine Josiéle Wendland - Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil - IECLB
- Charlotte Horn - Evangelical Lutheran Church in Württemberg
- Christian Muller - Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA)
- Danae Kukard - Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (Cape Church)
- Deoliza Adams- Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia
- Désire-Victor Gaïus Ben-Besoa - Malagasy Lutheran Church
- Elise Skjærven Aas - The Church of Norway
- Enkono, Johannes - The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN)
- Erick Boniphas Kapira - Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania
- Fan Ho Yin - The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong
- Frida Frans - Evangelical Lutheran Church of Namibia
- Funete Liza - Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia
- Gabriela Kottová - Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren
- George Yankee Mulbah, Jr - Lutheran Church in Liberia
- Haposan Cornelius Sinaga - Protestant Christian Batak Church (HKBP)
- Jana Esterlová - Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren
- Jerome James Jallah - Lutheran Church in Liberia
- Johannes Hartke - Evangelical Church in Central Germany
- Josephine Queen Zaza - Lutheran Church in Liberia
- Julia Kemunto Ombese - Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Kada Patrice - Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic
- Kalala Ilunga Andy - Evangelical Lutheran Church in Congo
- Kermitta Tahyor - Lutheran Church in Liberia
- Keziah Hamman Payami - Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA)
- Laura Saravia Muñoz - Salvadoran Lutheran Church
- Laura Vilbiks - Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Mackenzie Grygus - Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
- Madara Clémence - Church of the Lutheran Brethren of Cameroon
- Maro Micah Maua - Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Mateo Gabriel Fischer - Evangelical Church of the River Plate
- Manuel Glenn Retamoza – Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
- Mbuyu - Evangelical Lutheran Church in Congo
- Mery Lui Gutierrez Osco - Bolivian Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Musa Leonard Dlamini - Malagasy Lutheran Church
- Nathaly Adriana Quito Quintero - Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia
- Nokulunga Shabalala - Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA)
- Ny Aina Ambinintsoa Andrianaivo - Malagasy Lutheran Church
- Ole Andreas Grøtte Børnes - The Church of Norway
- Prabhu Kiran Nulakani - Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Rachel Goodluck Kenny - Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania
- Rakotomalala Dimbisoa Iarijaona Sariaka - Malagasy Lutheran Church
- Rakotozafy Fandresena Mbolatiana - Malagasy Lutheran Church
- Randriambololona Ravaka Minoarisoa - Malagasy Lutheran Church
- Raylene Dorianne Williams- Moravian Church in South Africa
- Rose Kamene Peter - Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Sandra Kwamboka Ombese - Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Shanthi Prayuktha Nelaballi - South Andhra Lutheran Church
- Shede Habila - Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria
- Tamar Haddad - The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land
- Tinahy Fanomerantsoa Jaona - Malagasy Lutheran Church
- Veronica Brilliant Manurung - Protestant Christian Batak Church (HKBP)
- Vivien Fanomezantsoa - Malagasy Lutheran Church
- Wiebke Zimmermann - Evangelical - Lutheran Church of Hannover
- Winifred Ruth Williams - Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone (ELCSL)
The LWF participates in the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), which takes place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 30 Nov - 12 Dec 2023. This engagement is part of the communion’s ongoing focus on strengthening climate action and advocacy at all levels. Young people are vital agents of change and form a greater part of the LWF’s delegation to COP28.
