Pilgrim cities launch green framework

Pilgrim cities from across the globe gathered in Jerusalem today to sign a new framework to define the concept of green and accessible pilgrimage with a code of ethics based on principles of openness, understanding and respect.

The launch of The Jerusalem Framework: Principles for Green and Accessible Pilgrimage followed three days of discussions between faith and community leaders, entrepreneurs and environmentalists at the inaugural Jerusalem Symposium.

“After three intensive days of learning and sharing with pilgrim cities from around the world and many other stakeholders, we go back to our daily efforts to make Jerusalem not only a cleaner and greener city, but also one which many of the faith communities have become serious and committed partners,” Naomi Tsur, Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem and initiator of the Symposium and the Green Pilgrimage Network told Cities Today.

Against the backdrop of the week’s slogan, ‘Leaving a positive footprint’, best practices were shared on sustainable urban and economic development, eco-tourism, faith-inspired travel and equitable sharing of the public domain.

To assist travellers in making tourism a sustainable activity, an Israeli version of the international green passport was officially revealed by UNEP. The passport shows travellers how to be respectful of the environment and the positives this can bring to the economic and social development of those cities visited.

The first green hybrid buggies for disabled access to Jerusalem’s Old City were also unveiled with delegates able to test drive their usefulness around the Old City’s holy sites.

The second symposium will be held in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, next year after Deputy Mayor Reyes Leis extended an invitation to her city, renowned as the destination of the Catholic pilgrim route, the Way of St James.

The Global Pilgrimage Network, supported by the Alliance of Religions and Conservation and ICLEI (local governments for sustainability), is a global forum of pilgrim cities and holy sites around the world that seeks to green the pilgrimage experience.