Faiths Together for Climate Justice & Peace – Presenters

Martin Palmer

Martin Palmer
Martin is a theologian, writer, broadcaster and environmentalist. He is Secretary General of the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC) and has worked with the World Wildlife Fund for Nature. He is Founding President of FaithInvest which helps faith organisations to invest in line with their values, for the benefit of people and planet.

Martin is speaking at


Rick Battarbee

Rick BattarbeeRick is Emeritus Professor of Environmental Change at University College London. He is a freshwater ecologist and specialises in lake sediments, the impact of nutrient pollution and climate change on lake ecosystems. His research career began at Ballyronan on Lough Neagh in the late ‘60s. Pollution on the Lough was an issue then too. Rick is involved in local environmental action in his native Yorkshire, including a citizen science project to measure water pollution on the River Wharfe.

Rick Battarbee is speaking at


John Barry

John BarryJohn is Professor of Green Political Economy and co–director of the Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action at Queen’s University, Belfast. He is also co–chair of the Belfast Climate Commission.

John Barry is speaking at


Raja Harun

Raja Harun
Raja is a retired scientist who has devoted his life to plant science. In 2011 he was awarded the MBE for services to commercial horticulture and services to community. He has also developed Aquaponics in industrial plants production. Originally from Malaysia he studied at QUB and settled in Northern Ireland. He is a trustee of the Belfast Islamic Centre.
Raja will speak at


Louise Taylor

Louise Taylor
Louise, an activist and researcher, leads efforts to save Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in the UK and Ireland, vital for Northern Ireland’s drinking water. An Early Career Researcher at Queen’s University Belfast, she focuses on mental health, wellness, and equity in climate justice. Her ecofeminist research supports frontline environmental activists worldwide.

Louise will participate in


Xavier de Bénazé SJ

Xavier de Bénazé
Xavier is the Laudato Si’ Delegate for Ecology among Jesuits of the French-speaking Western Europe Province. He studied agricultural engineering and worked as a sustainable development consultant. His training included key ecological and social developments. He now advises Jesuits and manages an eco-centre project in Lyons, France.

Xavier will speak at


Louise Cullen

Louise Cullen
Louise is BBC NI Agriculture and Environment Correspondent. Louise has family connections, stretching far back into Tyrone and Fermanagh. After graduating from Queen’s University in Law & Accounting, she abandoned plans to become a tax consultant in favour of helping people tell their stories. She spent a year with GMTV at the Reuters bureau in Belfast, before joining BBC Radio Ulster.

Louise Cullen will host


John McLenaghan

John McLenaghan
John is from County Derry/Londonderry, has suckler beef, an egg enterprise, wind turbine and biogas plant. His partner is Lisa and they have three children. John’s UFU experience includes former group chair of North East Londonderry. John has been a member of the poultry, rural enterprise, animal health and environment committees. He has served on the board and was previously chair of poultry and environment and is currently deputy president.

John will participate in