The Collaborative Network for Climate Change in Religious Education (CORE) was established in 2024 and quickly became a meeting place for scholars from a wide range of countries, academic disciplines, and religious traditions (currently Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Secularism). Its purpose is to foster collaboration among researchers working on climate change in Religious Education and Practical Theology, in order to support university lecturers, school teachers, religious leaders, and families in engaging constructively with climate-related issues.
During one of our initial meetings, participants engaged in group discussions concerning the aims and thematic directions of the network. The following thematic areas emerged as central points of interest:
- Exploring and promoting the ethical, spiritual, and community-building resources within religious traditions that can support engagement with climate change and socio-ecological transformation.
- Fostering interdisciplinary and interfaith research collaboration, with particular attention to regenerative education, emergent pedagogies, and the intersections between religion and climate education.
- Critically examining and challenging problematic historical narratives within religious traditions, especially those connected to colonialism, nationalism, and climate denial.
- Developing and sharing practical educational resources to support teachers and researchers globally, including considerations of gender, politics, and artificial intelligence.
- Establishing a supportive international community for knowledge exchange, collaborative research, and collective care amidst political and environmental challenges.
These themes continue to guide and shape the network’s ongoing work.