Leaders from Theology and Religion travel far and wide to promote ecotheology

A robust team of new and seasoned academics from the Faculty of Theology and Religion – Prof Hannes Knoetze, Prof Jaco Beyers, Dr Buhle Mpofu, Dr Annelie Botha, Dr Dieter de Bruin, Prof Stephan de Beer and Prof Ananda Geyeser-Fouché – helped to organise, or to support through their attendance, the Ecotheology in Southern Africa conference this past August, which was hosted in the Malawian town of Liwonde, where they were able to represent the University of Pretoria and further invest in its partnership with Zomba Theological University.

The conference brought together over forty theologians and academics to discuss and collaborate on issues of ecotheology, with a focus on the environmental challenges facing Southern Africa. Participants presented articles, shared insights, and contributed to the collective goal of creating a regional textbook that would help shape academic discourse and practical theology in the region.

The conference aimed to foster collaboration among theologians from different academic and cultural backgrounds in Southern Africa and the diaspora. The discussions focused on the application of ecotheology to environmental challenges and how faith-based approaches can guide regional ecological practices.

The event also sought to produce a collaborative work that would contribute to the growing field of Ecotheology and provide resources for future academic inquiry. The importance of this conference lies in its ability to bridge gaps between theory and practice, while promoting interdisciplinary engagement in a rapidly changing world.

Its primary objective was to solicit articles from participants on the theme "Ecotheology in Southern Africa," with the end goal of compiling these contributions into a regional textbook. The conference also aimed to promote the exchange of ideas and foster collaborative research to shape the future of Ecotheology in Africa.

Through its discussions, the conference sought to stimulate critical reflection on the intersection of faith, environmentalism, and theology, while fostering a network of scholars committed to these issues. To that end, it drew participants from across Southern Africa and beyond. Two distinguished keynote speakers, Professor Sosten Chiotha and Professor Ernst Conradie, were central to the intellectual dialogue, presenting on key topics in climate change, resilience, and the future of ecotheology. Both experts emphasized the need for interdisciplinary approaches to addressing environmental issues.

In addition to the keynote addresses, there were breakout sessions where participants could discuss more specific themes, including environmental monitoring and the ethical role of Christians in ecological restoration. A variety of topics were covered; all aligned with the central theme of ecotheology in Southern Africa. Some key discussions included:

• Climate Change and Christian Responsibility: How theology can contribute to environmental restoration.
• Environmental Monitoring: The need for data-driven approaches to understanding ecological degradation.
• Role of the Church: Encouraging Christians to serve as active stewards of nature, with a focus on reconnecting with God’s creation through uMunthu (a Southern African philosophy emphasizing communal values).

The conference underscored the urgency of addressing ecological crises, emphasizing that faith communities should not simply critique but also act to reverse the damage done to nature, then it concluded with several key takeaways and resolutions:

• Commitment to Ecological Action: Participants were encouraged to write a letter to themselves as a personal commitment to take action in support of ecological health and restoration.
• Collaborative Effort: An agreement was made to continue collaboration between ZTU and UP to produce a regional textbook that would serve as a key resource for ecotheology scholars in Southern Africa.
• Future Research: The conference successfully laid the groundwork for future interdisciplinary research projects that will involve theology, environmental science, and social activism.

Overall, the Ecotheology Conference at Kutchire Lodge was a memorable success, offering precious insights into the intersection of faith and the environment. The conference not only provided a platform for intellectual exchange but also strengthened a sense of shared responsibility for the ecological challenges facing the region.

The collaborative nature of the event, with its focus on creating tangible resources such as the regional textbook, has the potential to shape future research, policies, and community-based initiatives. The knowledge shared during the conference will undoubtedly inspire further action in ecotheology, marking a significant moment for the field.