Here is another opportunity to learn more about the science/religion connection.
Please join us at The Society for Conservation Biology International Congress for Conservation Biology (ICCB) 3-7July 2010 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, for the following workshop organized by The Religion and Conservation Biology Working Group (http://www.conbio.org/workinggroups/Religion/): Integrating Religion in Conservation Biology (WS 39, Kashif Sheikh) Sunday, 4July10 12:30-2:00pm Room 2 (For example, I will be presenting on A Rocha International [www.arocha.org], a Christian conservation organization. ARI works in 18 countries; the grass-roots based field stations share a community emphasis, with a focus on science and research, practical conservation and environmental education. I believe other presentations will be on Tibet, India, sacred groves, etc.) Expected Outcomes of the workshop (from previous announcement on ECOLOG 22Jan10) · Enhanced awareness among multi-disciplinary stakeholders. · Promoting capacity development of professionals in conservation planning and strategic thinking through better understanding of religion and its role in successes of biodiversity conservation processes. · Promoting key concepts of conservation through teaching and perceptions of the religion. · Equip conservation professionals and policy makers with effective knowledge and tools of religious-based schools and thoughts for sustainable biodiversity action planning and decision making. · Promoting concepts and fundamentals of religion and conservation biology and its role in conservation science and education. ICCB info: (http://www.conbio.org/Activities/Meetings/2010/?CFID=10772012&CFTOKEN=46013327) About the Religion and Conservation Biology Working Group Religion is a component of all cultures and frequently the guiding and controlling component through which societies legitimize themselves. Although not always obvious, religion is generally pervasive throughout cultures and is often the unifying principle of a society. Religions have played a substantial role in formulating views of nature and defining relationships of the roles of humanity in nature, thus, inextricably linking religious life and natural systems. It is increasingly recognized that religions can help make essential and substantial contributions to rethinking and responding to the world environmental crisis. Religion and theology are “greening” and will continue to do so and the religious focus on the environment now appears to be an irreversible theme of theological inquiry and religious life. In this regard, there is an increasing call for growing cooperation between science and religion in addressing environmental issues. An understanding of religious concepts and how they are applied to governance and daily life is essential to the implementation of effective and lasting conservation management strategies. The knowledge of the activities and principles and practices of conservation biology is essential to those whose perspective is primarily informed by religion and theology. The Religion and Conservation Biology Working Group is involved in helping to build bridges of information and understanding between these diverse but increasingly linked fields. -Shelly _________________________________________________________________ The New Busy is not the old busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_3
