Justice and International Mission Convention 2022 - Our planet is changing: do we?

We are witnessing a rapidly growing scientific understanding of the need to act urgently on environmental challenges we face. The Justice and International Mission Convention revisits where the Uniting Church can continue to make a difference in how Australia impacts environment issues.

At this Convention we will particularly consider the issue of whether technological developments will enable us to continue with our current lifestyles without unsustainable harm being done to our planet. The alternative possibility is that we will need to significantly change our lifestyle.

Join us and be part of the conversation to inform the future direction of the Uniting Church’s social justice mission as we unpack the urgency of climate change we are all facing.

The Convention will also seek input from participants on the work areas of the Justice and International Mission Cluster.

KEY SPEAKERS

Rev Tim Matton-Johnson

Panninher man, currently living on Mumirimina country (Kutalayna: Lower Jordon river Valley: at least 40,000 years of continuous human occupation.)

Ordained 1985, three rural ministry placements in Victoria and Tasmania, two urban placements and two Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) placements. Now retired.

Served two terms as Chairperson of UAICC Tas and one term as Deputy Chairperson of UAICC National.

Lifetime interest in environmental issues - Franklin River Blockader Summer of 1982-3 .Tasmania.

One week as a prisoner in the old Risdon Jail.

Married to Lynne, with three children - Elanor Ross & Barnaby. Three grandchildren, Harry, Charlie and Lucy.

Kaj Löfgren

Kaj is the Strategy Lead at Regen Melbourne, a mission- led network exploring a regenerative future for the city. He is also the Entrepreneur in Residence at Small Giants Academy where he collaborates on the Academy’s education and storytelling initiatives, including the Mastery of Business and Empathy.

He holds a masters of Economic History, a Bachelor of Civil Engineering and a Bachelor of Arts. He has worked with Engineers without Borders.

Ella Plumanns Pouton

Ella is aPhD candidate at the University of Melbourne. Her research interests include ecology, conservation, environmental governance and social equity. Her research has spanned from the effectiveness of carbon markets, to most recently understanding how climate and fire influence plant diversity.

Prior to her PhD, Ella worked in non-for-profit and the private sector, most recently as an evaluator of programs in the areas of climate change, natural resource management and emergency management.

PROGRAM:

9am - Gathering and registration. Tea and coffee will be provided on arrival

9:30am - Introduction. Acknowledgement of country and opening worship

9:45am - Keynote address. “Why are we not Kangaroos. Two Civilisations, Climate Change and Human Agency” - Rev Tim Matton-Johnson

10:30am - Morning Tea

11am - Discussion. Do we need to change our lifestyle in response to the environmental changes we face, or if technology will allow us to continue in our current lifestyle.

12:20 - Lightning talks. One minute presentations about what you are doing in your church or community on social justice. Please register your interest in advance if you would like to make a presentation.

12:35pm - Lunch

1:15pm - First round of workshops

2pm - Short break

2:15pm - Second round of workshops

3pm - Discussion on the direction and work areas of the JIM Cluster

4pm - Closing worship

4:15pm - Finish

WORKSHOP OPTIONS:

Please list your top three workshop options from the list below using the number of the workshop. Workshops will be run based on the number of participants, and will not run if not enough participants register interest.

Each workshop will aim to look for a specific way forward in each area.

Workshop 1

What can a congregation do to be environmentally friendly? Team from Brunswick Uniting Church.

Workshop 2

What are the opportunities to derail the expansion of the gas industry in Australia? Mark Zirnsak, Senior Social Justice Advocate.

Workshop 3

Support for your local council to act on environmental issues and how to influence local council actions on the environment

Workshop 4

Australia's Nuclear Landscape, Mines, subs, reactors? How to respond. Dave Sweeney, Nuclear Free Campaigner, Australian Conversation Foundation.

Workshop 5

Assessing the corporate disclosures of companies we buy from and invest in. Desiree Lucchese, Head of Ethics and Impact, U Ethical Investors.

Workshop 6

Holistic approach to our non-human friends. The workshop will explore the nexus between the health of our planet, its people and the animals with which we co-exist. It will explore the role we can each play in moving towards a kinder world for all. Meg Chanom, Community Manager, Animals Australia.

Cost:

$40 for metropolitan participants

$25 concession and non-metropolitan participants.

$10 online participants

Tea/coffee and lunch included for those attending in person. Catering has been organised through the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. Lunch will be wheat and gluten free, vegan and delicious