Newsletter

Autumn 2003

Au Sable Institute and John Ray Initiative Launch Transatlantic Partnership to Promote Christian Earthkeeping
By Peter Bakken

The Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies (U.S.) and the John Ray Initiative (U.K.), which together sponsored “Forum 2002: Global Climate Change” last year in Oxford, England, have entered into an agreement for further collaboration in promoting a Christian understanding of creation and the care of the earth.

Both organizations are faith-based environmental education and stewardship institutes that apply Christian teachings to scientific knowledge in order to address environmental issues, and to influence leaders and decision makers both inside and outside the churches. Each advances its mission primarily through research and education, and each has strong links with institutions of higher education in its own country, including centers of theological and biblical scholarship.

“Our shared ideals and vision, our history of collaboration, and, especially, our successful partnership last year in organising ‘Forum 2002 - Global Climate Change’, provide a sound basis for our two organisations to come closer together.” wrote Peter Carruthers, Executive Director of the John Ray Initiative, in a letter to Calvin DeWitt, Director of the Au Sable Institute.

Although plans for future collaborative efforts are still in the exploratory stage, possible areas for joint projects and programs include:

• UK-based courses on stewardship of Creation in the context of the history, heritage, land use, and landscape impacts in the British Isles;
• Exchanges of course material;
• Joint sponsorship of conferences and forums to inform and challenge those in positions of leadership and influence in churches, business, and government; and
• Closer correspondence between the John Ray Initiative’s Associates’ program and Au Sable’s Graduate Fellows program.

As part of the collaborative arrangement, one Board member from each organization will serve as a “corresponding member” on the other’s Board.

In reply to Carruthers, DeWitt wrote, "We at Au Sable Institute look forward very much to working more closely with you and your JRI staff in the future. I hope and pray that our partnership will help to promote care of creation and environmental stewardship in a global context, and strengthen both of our organizations in our response to the environmental crisis and giving a clear Christian voice in the environmental arena."

Forum 2002 brought together many members of each organization’s constituency, as well as other scientists and religious leaders. The goal of the conference was to advance the understanding of scientific, moral, and religious aspects of global climate change among Christians in both countries. (Texts and audio recordings from Forum 2002 are available at www.climateforum2002.org.)

Within the scope of their common mission to promote Christian environmental stewardship, each organization has its own strengths, approaches, and areas of special interest. Au Sable offers accredited courses for college students in environmental studies, in addition to educational programs for members of the community, schoolchildren and youth, outreach services to the wider public. The John Ray Initiative carries out projects, holds conferences, and publishes books and briefing papers on specific issues and on core principles of sustainability and stewardship. Au Sable has considerable expertise in the ecology of natural ecosystems and the practical care of land and biodiversity; The John Ray Initiative has particular expertise related to global climate and energy. Both have strong interests in farming and the world food system, but in different contexts.

The John Ray Initiative (JRI) was launched in 1997. Named after the 17th-Century pioneer naturalist and theologian, JRI aims to promote environmental stewardship and sustainable development, in accordance with Christian principles and the responsible use of science and technology. Through publications, seminars and workshops, presentations and its website, JRI seeks to inform and challenge the churches and to bring an ethical perspective to environmental issues in the wide arena. Patrons of JRI include the Archbishop of Canterbury and Sir Ghillean Prance, FRS (former Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew).