On behalf of ARC and our partner UNDP, we wish to take this special opportunity to express our gratitude to our financial sponsors: the Ashden Trust; Bath Spa University; Coexist Foundation; the Government of Denmark; Ecological Management Foundation (EMF); the Financial Times; the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (and its friends Celia and Edward Atkin, Michael and Felicia Crystal, Smadar and Ramy Goldstein, John Porter Charitable Foundation, Irith Rappaport and Glen Perry, Teddy Sagi, Lizika and Ami Sagy); the Mercure Castle Hotel; the Methodist International Centre (MIC); MOA International and MOA Foundation, Japan; Mott Foundation; the New Psalmist Baptist Church, Baltimore; the Government of Norway; the Pilkington Foundation; the Religious Society of Friends; St James Place Wealth Management; United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank and WWF.
We envisage many development projects will flow from the unique occasion of the major faiths of the world celebrating their commitments for a living planet, shaping generational change. If you are interested in sponsoring a future project, please do contact the Alliance of Religions and Conservation at info@arcworld.org, for the attention of Martin Palmer, or tel: +44 1225 758004.
Founded in the 1980s, the Ashden Trust is one of the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts. Focusing on tackling climate change, the Ashden Trust honours inspirational and innovative environmental projects which curb deforestation and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, thereby improving social and economic aspects of local communities.
Bath Spa University offers pre-degree study, undergraduate degrees and postgraduate degrees in a wide range of programmes. Last year, over 450 BSU students carried out placements through giving their time, energy and skills to help out local, national and international voluntary organisations and in doing so, developing personally and professionally. ARC have recruited four current BSU students and three recent graduates onto their team to help with the Windsor Celebrations.
Still in its infancy, the charity Coexist was established to enhance understanding between the Abrahamic Faiths (Jews, Christians and Muslims), through education, dialogue and research. Coexist hopes to help people of Abrahamic faith to improve their relations with one another, but also with different faiths and those of no faith.
The Government of Denmark has been a strong supporter of the ARC-UNDP long term commitments, in advance of the Copenhagen summit in November.
EMF, Ecological Management Foundation
The need to restore balance between human demands and earth's resources forms the focus of EMF's work, contributing to social, commercial and technological innovations. EMF is particularly keen to enhance relationships between developed and developing countries, specifically with respect to alleviating clean water scarcity.
The Financial Times has generously offered ARC and UNDP a free advertisement feature on the front of Section 2, November 3 2009. This is worth £28,000 and will be an additional chance for us to advertise the long term commitments the faiths are doing on protecting the natural environment.
Since its inception in 1936, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (originally named the Palestine Orchestra) has been dedicated to presenting the world's greatest music to audiences in Israel and the world. Founded by the outstanding Polish violinist, Bronislaw Huberman, the IPO represents the culmination of his dream "to unite the desire of the country for an orchestra with the desire of the Jewish musicians for a country." The Orchestra, under the esteemed leadership of Maestro Zubin Mehta, Music Director for Life, continues to provide vital inspiration to the people of Israel and frequently tours the world as an ambassador of peace and harmony.
We wish to individually thank:
Celia and Edward Atkin
Michael and Felicia Crystal
Smadar and Ramy Goldstein.
John Porter Charitable Foundation
Irith Rappaport and Glen Perry
Teddy Sagi
Lizika and Ami Sagy
The 4 Star Mercure Castle Hotel is located two minutes walk from the main gates of Windsor Castle, and has unrivalled views of the Changing of the Guard procession.
MIC, Methodist International Centre
The MIC was founded by Hilda Porter, a Methodist Missionary, who on return from the Far East to post-war Britain realized there was very little secure accommodation for foreign students to live in whilst studying in London. The MIC is committed to minimising the environmental impact of its activities, in line with its Methodist origins, and is looking at improving its environmental and compassionate food sourcing. It is also recycling, looking to use more environmentally responsible suppliers, and addressing its transport footprint. A social enterprise, the MIC provides affordable accommodation and meeting facilities in a multi-cultural, multi-faith environment.
MOA International and MOA Foundation, Japan
MOA recognizes the importance of valuing both the natural and spiritual worlds. It promotes a shared societal value system for all humanity, which has a deep respect for nature. MOA has been a sponsor of ARC's work since it began in 1995.
The MOTT Foundation's ethos is centred around the fundamental need for humanity to live together harmoniously and the positive synergy which can stem from a sense of community or belonging - be it in a local neighbourhood or as part of a global society. MOTT believes civil society has a crucial role in shaping its environment.
Based in Baltimore, Maryland USA, the New Psalmist Baptist Church is a congregation of more than 7000 members, with links both to its local community, to a network of other churches, and to global partners in order to provide faith-based aid at all of these levels. Its music ministry is 300-strong.
The Government of Norway has for a long time been a strong supporter of the ARC-UNDP long-term commitments.
Pilkington Foundation
ARC's Chairman, Brian Pilkington, is also the Chairman of the Pilkington Foundation which has supported ARC since its creation in 1995. It has been active in supporting inter-cultural and inter-religious programmes for almost 20 years. It has a particular focus on East-West relationships and on the role of art and the sacred in helping to create a better world.
A religious movement, members are known as Friends or Quakers. The Quaker faith springs from the belief that each one of us can have a direct relationship with the Divine. We find that by meeting together for communal worship we are empowered to find peace and strength for work in the world. Quakers are especially active in peace work, human rights and social reform.
St James Place Wealth Management
The Jerry Green Practice offers ultra-high-net-worth private clients the personalised service of a small boutique firm backed by the infrastructure and highly diverse expertise of the St. James's Place Wealth Management Group. They have significant depth and breadth of expertise across all Wealth Management disciplines. Their insights gleaned from more than 200 years of experience helping successful entrepreneurs, families, foundations, and executives around the world grow, preserve, manage and transfer their wealth. Their clients include many of the Sunday Times Rich list and many individuals on the Forbes 400 Wealthiest list.
The United Nations Development Programme is the global development wing of the United Nations, and is represented in 166 countries. It advocates working with local communities, enabling them to achieve solutions to development crises they face, nationally and globally. UNDP is partnering with ARC to develop the faiths' long term commitments to the natural world. This ground-breaking initiative is the first time UNDP has entered into a partnership with the religions. UNDP have also facilitated financial support for this programme from the Governments of Denmark and Norway.
Originally created to facilitate post-war reconstruction and development in 1944, the World Bank of the 21st Century has a mandate to alleviate worldwide poverty. The World Bank recognises the pace of climate change is accelerating, with poorest countries hardest hit. Food, fuel, and now financial crises have derailed progress towards the Millennium Development Goals, reversing years of gains. "Responsible Globalisation", in the World Bank's view, is the way forward. The World Bank has partnered with ARC since 2000 on an array of religious environment programmes world wide and published "Faith in Nature" in collaboration with ARC in 2005.
Originally created as the World Wildlife Fund at its inception over forty years ago. As WWF grew in the 1970s and 1980s, the organisation's focus expanded to help protect the natural world as a whole, reflecting the interdependence of all living things. WWF conducted the first ever programme with the religions on environment in 1986 and has supported ARC from its inception.