About 25 people from LWF member churches in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), Asia, and Africa attended the training for climate justice advocates in Lima, Peru. Photo: LWF/Eugenio Albrecht
Training strengthens advocacy and working together for the care for creation
(LWI) – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) conducted a training for climate justice advocates from 7 to 11 April. It formed part of strengthening its climate advocacy efforts ahead of the UN Climate Conference COP30, scheduled for November in Belém, Brazil.
Hosted by the Lutheran Church of Peru (ILP), 25 people from LWF member churches in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), Asia, and Africa attended the meeting, reflecting on the theological call to care for our common home from their different perspectives.
ILP president Rev. Ofelia Dávila, welcomed the group, highlighting Peru's diverse landscapes: “We have a rocky and barren coastline, but the Pacific Ocean brings us its riches and abundance. There are also the mountains, which transcend almost all of Latin America. And then there is the Amazon, vast and powerful, a treasure of our continent that we must learn to treasure and love.”
Learning about key global frameworks and actors
One of the meeting’s highlights was a presentation on global trends in climate change by Ramón Pichs-Madruga, a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The internationally recognized Cuban economist and expert provided an analysis of global policies, climate justice, and equitable energy transitions, offering a strategic vision of current challenges.
Thomas Hirsch, a specialist in development and climate change, updated participants on the status of international climate policies. He pointed out key actors in climate negotiations, the role of the private sector, fossil fuels, and components of adaptation, mitigation, and climate finance. Hirsch criticized policies that exclude vulnerable populations and called for greater responsibility from wealthy countries, advocating for solutions that address both the climate crisis and social injustice.
Training sessions also covered topics such as countries' contributions to reducing global warming, strategies for adaptation, mitigation, and addressing loss and damage. Participants shared good practice examples from their churches and engaged in practical exercises to deepen their understanding of climate justice advocacy.
Elena Cedillo, LWF Program Executive for Climate Justice, presented analysis tools and recommendations to strengthen advocacy and communications efforts by churches.
Rev. Ofelia Dávila, pastor president of the hosting Lutheran Church of Peru (ILP) addressing the participants. Photo: LWF/Eugenio Albrecht
Developing strategies for climate justice advocacy. Photo: LWF/Eugenio Albrecht
Elena Cedillo, LWF Program Executive for Climate Justice, presented analysis tools and recommendations to strengthen advocacy and communications efforts by churches. Photo: LWF/Eugenio Albrecht
Sharing experiences and challenges from different contexts
Reflecting on his take-aways from the training, Rev. Olmiro Ribeiro Junior, from the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil (IECLB), said: “God calls us to care for creation, but sometimes we do not know how to do it. In this meeting, we discussed uniting words and deeds – not only preaching or speaking in church but taking concrete action to protect creation. We learned that we can also call on and support governments to legislate in favor of caring for the planet and stopping climate change.”
“Having participants from different countries in this workshop was deeply enriching,” said Neil Bergmann, a participant from the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA). “Each person brought unique experiences and approaches to local challenges related to the climate crisis.” He emphasized that the discussions “not only inspired us but also strengthened our unity as a community of faith and reinforced solidarity among churches committed to caring for creation, each from their own context but with a common vision.”
The training strengthened our unity as a community of faith and reinforced solidarity among churches committed to caring for creation.
Neil Bergmann, Lutheran Church of Australia
Jhosselyn Rejas Curasi, a young professional from the ILP, added: “As the Gospel of Matthew says in chapter 5, we want our churches to be light and salt, accompany the people most affected by the climate crisis, and to dare to speak truth to power. To love God also means loving creation. We must not fail to act or raise our voices. If that happens, the stones will cry out.”
Connecting with local actors
The meeting concluded with a workshop with the local community, bringing together around 50 leaders from civil society and faith-based communities in Lima. LWF’s Gender Responsiveness Index for Climate Action was presented, followed by a dialogue on gender equity and climate action. The aim was to strengthen the role of faith-based organizations in gender-focused climate action and promote inclusive strategies to address the climate crisis.
“You, with dedication, effort, and commitment, are a testimony of hope. By sharing this testimony, you also become sowers of hope for others,” said Rev. Sonia Skupch, LWF Regional Secretary for Latin America, the Caribbean, and North America.
In its Strategy 2025-2031 - Sharing Hope: Empowering Churches, Impacting the World, the LWF reaffirms its commitment to protecting the natural environment. At the Thirteenth Assembly in 2023 in Poland, LWF pledged to strengthen its advocacy for climate justice at all levels, encouraging member churches to incorporate climate campaigns into their activities.
