February 9, 2009

NEW YORK – Advocates and activists from across the United States will gather outside Washington, D.C., March 13-16 for a long weekend of policy issue discussions and advocacy training that will end with them descending upon Capitol Hill to lobby lawmakers for effective climate change legislation.

The early registration deadline for the event, Ecumenical Advocacy Days, is Friday, Feb. 13.

The gathering, themed "Enough for All Creation," is an exploration of the connections between climate change, migration and poverty in the U.S. and around the world and ways to bring about a world where the earth's abundant resources are shared fairly and justly.

The Rev. John McCullough, executive director and CEO of Church World Service, will deliver the sermon at the Sunday, Mar. 15 service.

Several Church World Service international partners also will address conference plenaries and workshops. Fe'iloakitau Kaho Tevi, General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches, will speak on the displacement of populations due to climate change. Ramzi Zananiri, Executive Director of the International Christian Committee – Jerusalem will speak on environment, water, poverty and peace building in the Palestinian Territories and Deborah Katina, coordinator of Yang'at in Kenya, will speak on water as a sustainer of life and source of conflict.

Hundreds of people of faith representing different Christian communions will participate in discussions of U.S. policy and its effect on the developing world, receive training in effective advocacy and attend meetings centered on climate change legislation with members of congress or their staff.

The opening keynote address for the event will be given by Fr. Sean McDonagh, a Catholic priest who has lived and worked in the Philippines for many years and who is regarded as a leader in the faith community on climate change, environmental justice, genetically engineered food and human rights.

Other speakers include the Rev. Dr. Janet Parker, recipient of the National Council of Churches' 2007 Environmental Sermon Award, Tyler Edgar of National Council of Churches' Eco-Justice Program, Leo Atakpu, national coordinator of the Nigeria Civil Society Network for Water and Sanitation and deputy executive director of the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice; and John Cavanaugh, executive director of the Institute of Policy Studies.

The conference will be held at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center Hotel in Alexandria, Va.

For information and conference registration, visit http://advocacydays.org/. Young adults interested in student scholarships can find information on the young adult page or by email to scholarships@advocacydays.org.

Church World Service