Interreligious Earth Day Dialogue (April 2025)
- victorteh5
- Apr 29, 2025
- 2 min read
Caritas Singapore hosts first interreligious Earth Day dialogue
Some 80 representatives from 10 faith traditions gathered at the Fort Canning Centre on April 22 to talk and reflect on how to care for creation.
Held in conjunction with Earth Day and as part of the SG60 celebrations, the event was organised by Caritas Singapore – the local Catholic Church’s social mission and community arm – and the Archdiocesan Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism Centre of Singapore.
Participants shared how their own traditions inspire reverence for nature, and also exchanged ideas for practical change within their communities. These included the compassion that different faiths bring to environmental efforts; the need to educate and engage communities, especially the youth, in environmental stewardship; and the call for simplicity and sustainable living.
Fourteen religious representatives then planted five trees in Fort Canning Park in a symbolic act of hope, unity, and shared responsibility toward future generations.
“Care for creation truly transcends belief systems, and this is just the beginning of a shared journey,” said Caritas Singapore Executive Director Juliana Foo.
At the event, Caritas Singapore also launched a new online platform to promote collaboration, exchange of ideas, and joint sustainability efforts among the different religions.
In a Facebook post after the event, Guest-of-honour Mr Alvin Tan, Minister of State for the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, paid tribute to Pope Francis – who was known for championing environmental causes.
“We celebrate Earth Day and the legacy of harmony and hope Pope Francis left for us when he passed,” said Mr Tan. “His life reminds us that the seeds we sow today will be reaped by the next generation, and we must continue to bring communities together and care for our common home, as he had done throughout his life.”