‘Rona cancelled ‘20: A look back before the virus.
There’s nothing more important than our health. So we aren’t complaining about the conference and convening cancellations. Instead, we’ll share highlights from what we’ve been up to via video this year and where we presented in 2019.
April, 2020
Fatima joined the Rockefeller Foundation staff for a brown bag discussion called “Equity by Design,” via video. Fatima emphasized that in order to build equity, we must first acknowledge that current systems are INequitable by design. Fatima used race/class disparities in coronavirus rates and response; (in)access to health care; and criminalization of poverty to demonstrate the need to dismantle inequity in order to build equity.
March, 2020
Fatima joined Andom Ghebreghiorgis, candidate for congress in New York’s 16th district (Bronx-Westchester) on his nightly Instagram show,“On the Line.” Fatima and Andom had a very hearty debate about what “legality” really means; real and fake limitations on society’s ability to provide housing and healthcare to all; and the need to suspend “business as usual” in order to combat COVID19.
March, 2020
Ibrahim traveled to Brisbane, Australia to give the keynote lecture at the University of Brisbane’s first conference on faith perspectives and climate change. Ibrahim used environmental justice teachings in Islam to demonstrate the compatibility between religious traditions and sustainability and the responsibility of people of faith to be stewards of the planet.
November, 2019
Ibrahim had the distinct honor to give the keynote at Turkey’s second annual “Zero Waste - Rooted in Faith” conference. The conference was chaired by Turkey’s first lady, Emine Erdoğan who indicted industry and individualism for the climate crisis. Ibrahim challenged Turkey to become the world’s leader on green building construction to showcase the country’s commitment to zero waste.
September, 2019
Fatima was thrilled to speak at Global Fund for Women’s annual staff retreat about “Influence and the Power of Words.” Foundations often grapple with how to support organizations beyond giving money. Fatima believes that after money, “solidarity in language,” is a great way for people with access to power to support activists who are directly fighting systemic oppression. Solidarity in language means echoing what activists are saying; saying what people on the ground want to say but can’t; and publicly defending truth tellers.
May, 2019
Ibrahim had the honor of speaking to a sold-out audience at the Rubin Museum alongside his friend and mentor Jungwon Kim. The topic, “The Power of Hope in a Changing Climate,” allowed Ibrahim and Jungwon to emphasize the importance of abundance. “Scarcity is fiction,” Ibrahim explains. “This planet has everything and more for all of us to live full, vibrant, harmonious lives. There’s enough land, water, food, sun, everything. What there isn’t enough of, is humanity.” If we can figure out the very simple tasks of valuing life over production and equitable distribution, we’ll see just how abundant Earth and her resources truly are.
January, 2019
Ibrahim’s keynote at Ohio State University’s annual community engagement conference was called, “Partnering for a Resilient and Sustainable Future.” Ibrahim passionately spoke about the need to look to indigenous communities from every continent for the best examples of living in concert with the natural environment. Ibrahim praised OSU’s opening of a new Sustainability Institute. “You’re large, you’re bold, you’re an important institution,” he said. “It’s your responsibility and an expectation that you will lead the charge. I implore you to look in your own state at the legacy of the Iroquois people for tried and true examples of successful sustainability.”
