On October 23, 2025, the Joint Learning Initiative on Faith & Local Communities (JLI) and Christian Aid co-hosted a dynamic global online symposium. The event explored the critical role of faith actors in responding to the human realities of climate-driven migration and examined how stronger partnerships can foster resilient and community-rooted action.
As shifting rainfall patterns, flooding, droughts, and intensifying heatwaves reshape global communities, climate migration has moved from a future risk to a present reality. These slow-onset environmental pressures and sudden catastrophic events disrupt livelihoods and deeply impact health, identity, and belonging. While international research often overlooks the religious dimension of displacement, faith actors are uniquely positioned at the frontlines, providing not only material aid but essential emotional support, spiritual guidance, and social cohesion.
The symposium employed a hands-on, interactive approach to explore how sacred ties to land and community influence migration decisions, as well as adaptation strategies. Participants engaged with the core findings of the JLI – Christian Aid Evidence Review on Faith and Climate Migration, enriched by insights from three regional Listening Dialogues conducted in South Asia, East Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean. These participatory dialogues were intentionally designed to elevate the perspectives of communities most vulnerable to climate shocks.
Designed for practitioners and researchers working at the intersection of climate, migration, and religion, the program intentionally centered voices from regions most vulnerable to environmental disruption.
Key highlights included:
- A high-level keynote address from Father Eric Iván García Concepción, a priest from the Diocese of Mayagüez (Puerto Rico) and the current Deputy Secretary of the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM).
- A plenary panel discussion featuring Dr. Jodie Salter and Mr. Sheikh Nur Ataya Rabbi. The session included a Q&A and explored key findings from LAC, Africa, and Asia, as well as early warnings, evidence needs, gender dynamics, and long-term accompaniment.
- Interactive breakout workshops focusing on Early-Warning Collaboration, Micro-Grant Modeling, and Inclusive Adaptation.
The symposium also featured an animated video, created in partnership with Christian Aid, to accompany and visually bring to life the evidence review on faith and climate migration. Ultimately, the event underscored the essential role of faith actors as partners in climate adaptation and migration response.
The full Evidence Review remains available online and can be downloaded in English, French, and Spanish.