2023 Fireflies Dialogues India

2023 Fireflies Dialogues on Climate Action and Interfaith Peace-building
                                             - by Pipal Tree
17th to 20th February, 2023

Background Note
Climate change and interfaith peace are undoubtedly two of the most important issues of our times. Both these challenges have deep historical roots in different parts of the world with complex cultural, economic and social causes and influencing factors. The responses to both these challenges (of the climate crisis and interfaith disharmony) in the form of climate action and interfaith peace-building are dialogic, emergent, and systemic processes that are multidimensional and with an element of “inner transition”. India is (and historically has been) particularly vulnerable to the impacts of the climate crisis as well as to the effects of interfaith misunderstandings and conflict. Quite paradoxically, perhaps, India also offers a particular richness of non-mainstream alternative knowledges with transformative possibilities to solve/resolve/transmute the climate breakdown and interfaith disharmony. 

The connections and linkages between climate action and interfaith peace-building deserve careful attention, reflection, and dialogue in these times of social and ecological breakdown. How might interfaith peace-building further the goals of transformative climate action? How might the contemporary climate change context enable new imaginations and actions for interfaith peace-building? What new imaginations, conceptual framings, vocabularies and grammars, and indeed possibilities for transformation may emerge through an intentional interaction of climate action and interfaith peace-building? Who are the key actors, communities, organizations, and networks attempting creative and impactful actions in this space, and what lessons might be learned from the work that has been attempted and is ongoing? Where might we source inspiration, hope, and courage for  truly meaningful climate action and interfaith peace-building? What might be the key challenges and opportunities ahead, and how might we be best prepared for the times to come?       

Some of our key objectives for this Dialogue include:
Deepening the understanding of both climate action and interfaith peace-building in the Indian context
Enabling an overview of the impactful actions undertaken and lessons learnt in the context of climate action and interfaith peace-building 
Deepening the understanding of the connections and linkages between climate action and interfaith peace-building
Promoting collaborations and solidarity for action 
About Pipal Tree 
Pipal Tree was established in 1984, as a registered non-profit trust, by a group of sustainable-development practitioners and socially engaged thinkers. The programs of the trust attempt to create a symbiosis of the socio-cultural, economic and ecological for the development and empowerment of the poor and marginalized sections of society. The trust firmly believes in non-violent communication and action.


Our work involves awareness building, networking and collaborating at the local, national and international levels on climate action issues, intercultural dialogues and sustainable futures. 


Given the serious challenges posed by the climate crisis, a new vision of sustainable development needs to emerge that underlines both climate mitigation and adaptation to ensure food security, livelihood safeguards, education for marginalized and most vulnerable communities, health and nutrition. All of this needs to happen through a participatory process, where the voices of the community are reflected through our programmes. 


We work with adivasi (tribals) and dalit (historically marginalized) communities, rural and peri-urban communities, government schools and universities, with a specific focus on children, women, community leaders and locally elected panchayat leaders. Furthermore, we engage with international and national networks, policy makers, faith leaders and educators. 


Pipal Tree’s vision is to create a symbiosis of the personal, social, economic, cultural and ecological dimensions that lead to sustainable development practices. The hope is towards empowering and supporting a peaceful, just, creative and climate resilient world for everyone - human and non human - through nonviolent, compassionate and collective action. 


Our mission is to
to build collective spaces that enable open dialogues, meaningful collaborations and transformative actions;
to effectively respond to relevant needs and aspirations of marginalized and vulnerable communities through participatory processes;
to co-create, curate and share contextual knowledges that can inspire and nourish collective action;
to contribute towards policy and governance reforms that result in systemic impacts.
Please get in touch with any of us if you need to speak more!
Abhayraj Naik - +919886831639
Srilakshmi Divakar - +918884345048
Ishan Aggarwal - +917013904859