by Liore Milgrom-Gartner, Deputy Climate Action Director
Last month, I was in Frascati, Italy for a gathering whose title said it all: “Going further, faster together: towards a global, multi-faith, women-led climate action network.” We were brought together by a Wilton Park, a British government agency, various Embassies to the Holy See (Vatican), and global nonprofits. This three-day gathering closed with a commitment for radical collaboration towards climate justice, a goal, which we all understood, must be founded in trust. We had work to do.
My deep love for people and planet, adam and adamah, has been nourished through a life of travel and work in multi-faith settings. Yet I have never before had the privilege to be in a room with such a diversity of women, cultures, backgrounds, and religious beliefs. Especially today, it feels that so much divides us. Yet there in Frascati, there was an underlying thread that connected us all: a deep commitment to a livable planet for ourselves and future generations.
A shared commitment to our common home was a powerful start towards building trust. Being together in person was a critical reminder of the humanity that binds us. In a world where digital communication often dominates, the opportunity to meet face-to-face allowed us to bridge divides that might otherwise seem insurmountable. We were a small group, 50 or so women with a few male allies. We had meetings as a group, we gathered in intimate break outs, we shared meals, slowed down over tea. We spoke honestly and thoughtfully. The trust was building.
Throughout the event, I was struck by the stories shared by my fellow attendees. Women, from different corners of the globe, spoke of the tangible impacts of climate change on their communities; others spoke of innovative solutions being implemented; others shared both simultaneously – that as their communities are being devastated, they are learning to adapt, and even slow, climate change.
Youth ambassador for Faith for our Planet, Chiranthi Senanayake, takes a selfie in St Peter’s Square, Rome at the Papal Audience, with fellow participants including former President of Ireland Mary Robinson. Liore is pictured in the center, behind Chiranthi Senanayake. Photo from Wilton Park.
A highlight of our gathering was our visit with the Pope. Though few of us identified as Catholic, this shared experience was a poignant reminder of how personal this journey is. Meeting the Pope underscored the importance of bringing our whole selves to this place. It was a moment that transcended religious boundaries, reinforcing the idea that our journey is not just about individual efforts but about bringing so many others along with us. It reminded us that by embracing our full identities and experiences, we can inspire and mobilize a broader community to join us in this crucial work.
Building trust is the first step towards meaningful partnership. In Italy, we laid the groundwork for future collaborations by fostering an environment of openness and respect. Trust is not built overnight, but the seeds were sown during our time together. We left the gathering with a sense of solidarity and a commitment to continue working together, despite the challenges that lie ahead.
The relationships we built in Italy are the beginning of partnerships that have the potential to create the world we have imagined—a world where faith and action converge to protect our planet for future generations. Together, we can move faster and more effectively towards a sustainable future.
Liore Milgrom-Gartner
Deputy Climate Action Director