The Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) hosted the opening session of the Symposium on Ecotheology, titled “Ecumenical Perspectives on Climate Change”, on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.

This symposium was organized by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in cooperation with the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME).
The welcome addresses were delivered by USEK President Fr. Talal Hachem, followed by MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, and ATIME President Archimandrite Dr. Jack Khalil.

Rev. Rima Nasrallah, a professor of theology at the Near East School of Theology, introduced the symposium, followed by a keynote speech by Dr. Dave Bookless, director of theology at A Rocha International, on the biblical and theological perspectives of climate change. Fr. Antoine Ahmar, director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department, then presented the Middle East Churches’ statement to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28).

The second day of the Symposium on Ecotheology was held at the Saint Joseph University (USJ) in Beirut, covering several topics under three main themes: climate change and social justice, climate change and care for creatures, and climate change and nature.

The closing session on operationalization emphasized the commitment of the Church to creation care and ecojustice.