Climate change poses profound challenges to communities across the globe, disrupting ecosystems, threatening livelihoods, and exacerbating social inequalities. In response, the concept of localisation has gained traction as a powerful strategy for empowering communities to adapt and build resilience in the face of environmental uncertainty. By prioritising local knowledge, resources, and decision-making processes, localisation approaches enable communities to take ownership of their development pathways and respond effectively to the impacts of climate change.

Furthermore, faith-based organisations are pivotal in addressing climate-related challenges, drawing on their rich traditions, values, and networks to foster resilience, promote sustainable development, and advocate for social justice. Grounded in principles of compassion, solidarity, and stewardship, faith-based initiatives offer holistic approaches to climate adaptation that resonate deeply with local communities and empower individuals to take action in the face of adversity.

Context:

Two studies titled “Bridging Localisation and Climate Adaptation Pathways: Case Studies from Asia, the Middle East and Africa" and “Faith Actor’s Value Addition in Localisation: opportunities and Barriers in Humanitarian Architecture”commissioned by Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) within its STRIDE programme, supported by partners including Islamic Relief USA and AktionDeutschlandHilft, serve as the foundation for this discussion. The former investigates the mutual complementarities between locally-led climate adaptation (LLA)and humanitarian localisation, aiming to illuminate pathways for closer alignment of these strategies to serve vulnerable communities better. The latter presents a detailed narrative of the role of faith actors in global localisation efforts, especially in developing and conflict-prone regions.

This panel is designed for policymakers, donors, operational actors, researchers, and academics interested in enhancing the efficacy of humanitarian response and climate adaptation through innovative and collaborative approaches. It is hoped that participants will gain insights into the practical and strategic benefits of bridging elements of faith and LLA with localisation. The session will offer evidence-based recommendations, fostering a dialogue on how to overcome existing barriers and capitalise on the complementarities between these approaches to support better communities facing the brunt of climate change.

Session objectives:

1. To illuminate the importance of embracing the nexus of climate, localisation, and faith as a catalyst for transformative change.
2. To discuss the importance of bringing together diverse voices, perspectives, and experts to foster dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing that inspire innovative solutions and drive meaningful progress.
3. To garner support for collective commitment to addressing the interconnected challenges of our time to create a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable future for all.

Join us!