DECLARATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM

ON ENVIRONMENT AND RELIGION, May- 15-16, 2008

The symposium on environment and religion organised by the Faculty of Theology, Istanbul University, 15-16^th May 2008 has successfully concluded.

         More than 70 international scholars participated in the symposium.

        In concluding the participants agreed on the following

1-      In almost every religion harming and polluting environment is prohibited. Humanity is required to protect and to make the earth liveable, while benefiting from it without damaging it.

2-      There is only one earth to inhabit. There is no other. It should be protected and kept as pure as it has been created.

3-      The earth is given not only to humanity but also to other beings. Thus, humanity does not have the right to use and abuse its potential for only their own selfish benefits.

4-      In benefiting from the earth we should not harm the integrity of the environment in a wasteful and polluting way. The balance and the harmony of the earth must be maintained and sustained.

5-      To leave an unpolluted and liveable environment to future generations is the duty of humanity.

6-      To raise an environmental consciousness a comprehensive educational programme with institutional supports should be implemented.

7-      Hazardous activities should be ameliorated. (unregulated industrialisation, unplanned urbanisation, industrial waste chemical and radioactive emissions, clearing flora and fauna.

8-      If these necessary steps are not taken, our world would face calamities such as famine, drought and disease. The inevitable result is an inhabitable world.

9-      Every human being should participate in creating a better world.

10-  Since environmental problems are borderless all nations should cooperate with each other. In doing that humanity can be at peace with the environment.

Prof. Dr. Fahri KAYADİBİ

Dean of the Faculty of Theology

Istanbul University

Head of the Organising Committee