As our world faces the growing threat of nuclear weapons, accelerated by ongoing geopolitical tensions and the development of disruptive technologies, what role must faith communities play so that we can collectively choose human dignity and prevent nuclear war? In this webinar, we will hear voices of faith leaders and movement builders on why we, the faith communities, are crucial partners in creating a world free of nuclear weapons. Speakers will discuss how we can bring in new perspectives and energies to the movement, and how our faith and spiritual traditions help us turn fear and despair into hope and action. 

Voices for a World Free of Nuclear Weapons, Gandhi Development Trust, World Methodist Council, Bahai International Community, United Church of Christ, American Friends Service Committee, Soka Gakkai International and ICAN are pleased to bring together this event to explore the ways and means to reactivate faith leadership in the efforts to eradicate nuclear weapons worldwide. 

Speakers include:

Rivera Sun: has written numerous books and novels, including The Dandelion Insurrection and the award-winning Ari Ara Series. She is the editor of Nonviolence News and the Program Coordinator for Pace e Bene/Campaign Nonviolence. Her articles are syndicated by Peace Voice and published in hundreds of journals nationwide. Rivera Sun serves on the board of Backbone Campaign and the advisory board of World BEYOND War. Rivera has been honored for her literary work and social justice efforts in the Americans Who Tell The Truth Portrait Series.  www.riverasun.com

Andrea Yuji Balestra: is Education Department Coordinator for Senzatomica, Fondazione Be The Hope’s campaign for nuclear disarmament. He holds a master’s degree in Area and Global Studies for International Cooperation, specializing in Asian studies. He leads the campaign’s educational strand for young people, coordinating the training of volunteers, teachers and guides for the touring Senzatomica exhibition, which has reached nearly half a million visitors in more than 100 cities. He also contributes to designing the project’s educational materials. 

Dr. Francis Kuria holds the dual roles of Secretary General of Religions for Peace International and of its regional affiliate, the African Council of Religious Leaders-Religions for Peace (ACRL-RfP). He guides and supports over 90 Interreligious Councils (IRCs) worldwide and he chairs the International Steering Group of the International Campaign to Ban Nuclear Weapons.

Saffet Catovic has a very long and distinguished history of service and activism in the New York City and New Jersey Muslim communities. In recent years, his specific focus has been interfaith environmental justice. 

Allen Hester leads FCNL’s Nuclear Disarmament and Pentagon Spending portfolio. He develops legislative strategies and lobbies Congress for reductions in Pentagon spending, strengthened arms control regimes, and the eventual elimination of nuclear weapons.

Moderator: Hayley Ramsay-Jones

* This webinar is the second of a three-part series of events on faith and nuclear weapons. The first webinar is available to watch online. There will be an in-person event during the Nuclear Ban Forum on 29 November immediately before the First Review Conference of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.