What will be the format of this special course?

This theme will be approached from a variety of perspectives - scientific, spiritual, philosophical, political, with the participation of experts from all these different fields. Each morning there will be a biblical reflection and other spiritual activities. In the afternoons, the theme will be explored in greater depth with a wide range of round tables, lectures and interactive workshops. At various times during the week, there will be sharing groups to deepen the reflection.

Why was this theme chosen?

Have you ever heard of the great penguin? Or the Tasmanian tiger? Or the Baiji white dolphin or the dodo? These animals come from different parts of the world and you have probably never heard of them, but they share one reality forever: they are extinct.

In the last 50 years, the world’s animal population has declined by almost 70%. 900 species have become extinct in the last 100 years. Today more than 35, 000 species are threatened with extinction. These figures are truly devastating. The loss of biodiversity on our planet does not just threaten specific species, it affects us all, in every country and region of the world.

In fact, biodiversity is essential to the processes that support all life on earth, including people. Without a wide range of animals, plants and micro-organisms, we cannot have the healthy ecosystems we rely on to provide the air we breathe, the food we eat and this earth that believers call God’s Creation.

Who will be the guest speakers?

Even though the list is still being updated, here are some names of the confirmed speakers:

• • Katrin Böhning-Gaese, biologist, director of the Senckenberg Biodiversität und Klima Forschungszentrum (Germany)
• • Philippe Lamberts, member of the European Parliament (Belgium)
• • Dominique Bourg, philosopher (Switzerland)
• • Andreas Streit, United Nations official, Secretariat of the Agreement on the Conservation of the Populations of European Bats (Germany)
• • Adélaïde Charlier, climate activist (Belgium)
• • Giacomo Zattini, Fridays for Future (Italy)
• • Robert Beyer, researcher at University of Cambridge’s Department of Zoology (Germany/England)
• • Caroline Ingrand-Hoffet, Protestant pastor (France)
• • Kirrilee Reid, Anglican priest (United Kingdom)
• • Johannes Herrmann, ornithologist (France)
• • Ewa Smuk-Stratenwerth, director of the Ecological Folk High School & Association Ziarno (Poland)
• • Laura Morosini et Anne Doutriaux, Laudato Si Movement (France)
• • Magda Kadziak, Laudato Si Movement (Poland)

Registration

Due to the large number of participants, registration for the special course is closed. It is of course still possible to take part in the workshops open to all by registering for the week in Taizé on the page "Contact and registration".