In a solemn session at the Recife City Council, held in celebration of Environment Week, the Institute for Religious Studies (ISER) received a certificate of honor, highlighting its fundamental role in articulating faith and the environment. The tribute is an initiative of councilwoman Cida Pedrosa (PCdoB) and was held on June 9th.
The recognition focused particularly on the Faith in Climate project and the Vigils for the Earth, an interfaith event held in various regions of Brazil in 2025, with emphasis on the one that took place in Recife in October. ISER was represented by the political-religious coordinator Paulo Sampaio.
According to Sampaio, the tribute reinforces the importance of the movement of people of faith in the socio-environmental agenda. “It is a recognition of ISER's work in the most diverse regions of the country. It was not only the Recife Vigil that was honored, but the entire process of building the Vigils throughout the country.”, he states.
Photo: João Paulo Seixas
The ceremony also included the presence of strategic partners, such as Caio Jorge, from the Nós na Criação Movement, and Emília Rabbani, from the Bahá'í Community. For ISER, this moment symbolizes the appreciation of the interfaith movement in favor of climate justice and in defense of socio-environmental rights throughout Brazil.
O Faith in the Climate This is an ISER initiative whose mission is to bring together and engage religious leaders to raise awareness within their faith communities about addressing the climate crisis, through dialogue between scientists, religious leaders, environmentalists, and representatives of indigenous peoples, with the goals of adaptation, resilience, and climate justice.
In 2025, ISER promoted the Vigils for the Earth, This was an interfaith mobilization that brought together diverse religious leaders, social movements, collectives, individuals, and faith communities in different regions of Brazil throughout the year for interfaith celebrations in defense of the Earth. The event culminated in a vigil of multiple spiritual and social traditions during COP30 in Belém. The mobilization aimed to promote collaboration among diverse religious groups to strengthen actions in addressing the climate crisis.
The Vigils for the Earth also marked 32 years since the first Interreligious Vigil held by ISER during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (ECO-92), at Aterro do Flamengo, in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro. This mobilization gave rise to the Interreligious Movement (MIR-RJ) and resulted in the documentary 'A Night for the Earth'., available on ISER's YouTube channel.