La désertification dans le pourtour méditerranéen et l’enseignement de la théologie universitaire

Abstract

Desertification is among the major challenges undermining the well-being of populations in countries around the Mediterranean basin. An evaluation of national and international public policies aimed at combating desertification reveals limited results, despite the significant resources allocated. This ineffectiveness can be explained by the low level of involvement of local populations, whose ways of life impact environmental degradation, particularly desertification. Given the importance of religion in the daily lives of these communities, religious groups are called upon to raise awareness among their members about the dangers of desertification and to prepare them to respond to it. The teaching of ecotheology represents one potential avenue for achieving this goal, as it can help equip religious leaders for coordinated action in combating desertification. Christianity and Islam share a common discourse emphasizing the role of human beings as stewards—or khalifah—of creation. This shared perspective could be mobilized to promote education on environmental preservation and peaceful coexistence through interreligious dialogue and mediation.