1. Economic
Justice
Network (EJN)
Influencing Key Events:
COP 17 in Durban

2. How to influence Public Policy?
 Used the Conference of
Parties (CoP) 17 as an
opportunity for faith
communities and leaders
to influence decisions in
Durban
 EJN, working with the
Christian Councils in
Southern Africa, became
a strategic partner in
campaign launched in
March 2011 as, “We Have
Faith” (WHF)

3. We Have Faith Campaign
 The timing was perfect, South Africa was
hosting the 17th CoP in Durban 2011
 Climate Change is very relevant in SA and
the continent
 We knew we would therefore have advocacy
support from partners and like-minded
organizations
 We couldn‟t miss the opportunity to bring a
relevant and pressing issue to the fore
 In this presentation we seek to demonstrate
what is necessary to organise a successful
campaign for a mass event.
 Giving the case of faith communities rallying
together for the We Have Faith Campaign

4. Objectives of the Campaign
 Strengthen the inter-
religious network through
mobilising among multi-
faith organisations around
climate change.
 Influence the UNFCCC
processes through
ensuring that the
negotiations have a moral
element.
 Raise awareness and
provide education for local
communities on climate
change.

5. Objectives Continue
 Faith networks in Africa to engage, build their
capacity on environmental issues and work on a
particular campaign.
 COP 17 to be influenced by the faith communities
because the UNFCCC process in the past has
been too secular; needs a moral dimension.
 COP 17 to bring synergy between climate change
and economic justice.

6. Strategies to Influence the
UNFCCC Process
 Youth We Have
Faith Caravan
- 160 youths travelled
from Nairobi to Durban
organising concerts,
meeting politicians,
- gathering petitions in
Kenya, Tanzania,
Zambia, Malawi,
Botswana and South
Africa.
- The Caravan generated
headline news in
national media in all the
countries it passed.

7. We Have Faith Petition Campaign
 Launched a day after
Caravan began its journey
to Durban
 It was a significant and
crucial part of the
campaign especially for
face to face interaction
 Got Icons/ambassdors to
sign the petition
 the Youth Caravan was
used to mobilise
communities and collect
petitions

8. Educating communities…
 Partners mobilised and
educated people about
climate change and its
impact on communities
 It was through this
process that faith
leaders in communities
saw the link between
climate change and
economic justice,
giving them adequate
info to lobby
government

9. Role of media
 With the help of media
specialists the status of
the campaign was raised
 This strategy was the
key to the success of
the campaign
 the campaign‟s
messages went through
mainstream media
reaching the public and
faith communities via
radio, television and
newspapers.

10. Results of utilizing Media to Raise
Awareness
- 3 websites
- 4 Facebook pages
- 100 internet articles
- 30 radio spots
- 8 television interviews
- 150 accredited media personalities at the
Climate Justice Rally at Kings Park
Stadium

11. Climate Justice Rally
 multi-faith „Climate
Justice Rally’ at King‟s
Park Stadium on 27
November 2011
 was the magnum opus of
the inter-faith activities
 Arch Bishop Desmond
Tutu, Christiana Figueres
and Mashabane attended
the event
 200,000 signed petitions
handed over

12. WHF Influence results..
 Minister Nkoana-Mashabane explicitly
mentioned the campaign, the rally and
the petition in her opening statements at
COP17.
 At the rally she asked Archbishop
Emeritus Tutu and Bishop Davies to pray
for her, literally inviting them to provide
chaplaincy support to her during the COP.
 This is a reminder of the unique capacity
that the faith sector has to speak to
people at all levels.

13. Concluding remarks..
 Evaluation was in March 2012
 Report is available
 We have continued with the campaign and
are going to CoP18
THANK YOU!
Rev. Malcolm Damon
Executive Director of Economic Justice Network (EJN)
mpd@ejn.org.za +27214249563