A new kind of festival experience
From insightful panel discussions to powerful documentaries, Greenbelters joined us in space to explore ideas for a world free from injustice.
Three days in a field, and we were never short of engaging content. Each day was meticulously crafted to inspire reflection, provoke thought and encourage action.
From early morning prayers led by the Iona Community to our daily evening show hosted by Azariah France-Williams and Anna Robinson, the No Fly Zone was a hub of activity from dawn to dusk.
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With the UK Parliament returning from summer recess, we think now is a great time to start building a relationship with your MP that can fight poverty and injustice over the next 5 years.
Friday: A day for racial justice
The festival kicked off with a focus on racial justice. Friday’s discussions included a powerful panel on the implications of slavery for contemporary Christian reconciliation, alongside a poignant documentary, After the Flood, which examined the Church’s historical entanglement in chattel slavery.
A highlight was the panel: 'No White Saviours? Dream on!' that confronted the enduring issue of the white saviour complex in global development and mission work.
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A symptom of racism and white supremacy, which places those in a position of privilege into the role of saviour over those who have been historically oppressed and exploited.
The panel urged attendees to critically examine the motivations and impacts of their actions, emphasising the need to decolonise development practices. They called for a shift away from seeing the global south as passive recipients of aid and towards recognising and supporting local leadership, knowledge and solutions.
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We ended the day with a powerful session: 'Solidarity, Not Charity in the Age of Nakba,' where the spotlight turned to the ongoing challenges of the Palestinian people.
This discussion brought together young adults who are rethinking and reimagining activism for Palestine in today's context.
Solidarity is not a request, it’s an obligation.
Join us as we play our part in seeking a just peace.
The 'Make Poverty History? Dream on!' session delved into Africa’s escalating debt crisis, the worst in a generation. It underscored how crippling debt stifles development, worsening poverty by preventing investment in vital services like healthcare and education.
The discussion also highlighted the role of international financial systems in perpetuating this debt cycle, calling for urgent global action to address its root causes and establish fairer economic structures.
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Increasingly the gap between the rich and the poor is getting wider and the middle is shrinking... this is creating a lot of limitations on people's aspirations within their countries.
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Another highlight of the day was a keynote by Richard Rohr, who, despite not being physically present, drew our largest crowd.
Rohr’s talk, delivered from his home, addressed the pressing issue of wealth redistribution by exploring the spiritual and ethical dimensions of economic justice. He challenged us to rethink their relationship with wealth, emphasising that true economic justice requires not just charity but a fundamental reorientation of our economic systems towards equity and fairness.
Sunday: A commitment to climate justice
Following Sunday morning’s communion service, our day began with a unique session titled 'From Communion to Climate Action,'. We revisited the 2022 and 2023 Greenbelt Festival communions, where attendees generously donated to a Christian Aid climate change project in Bangladesh.
The talk highlighted how these funds have been used to protect vulnerable communities from climate threats, offering a tangible example of how faith-driven action can make a real difference.
Another standout moment from Sunday was a conversation with Vanessa Nakate, a leading climate activist from Uganda, and Chine McDonald (vice-chair of Greenbelt).
Nakate, who has been a powerful voice in bringing African perspectives to the global climate movement, shared her journey of how faith has sustained and inspired her activism.
I do believe that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, and knowing that helps me to imagine a world where things are better.
Beyond the No Fly Zone
While the No Fly Zone provided a space for deep discussion, our volunteers were also busy encouraging festival-goers to take action beyond the festival. Our key focus was urging them to engage with their newly elected MPs on issues of poverty.
For Christian Aid, Greenbelt wouldn't be Greenbelt without a fun (and slightly embarrassing) way to engage festival-goers in our wider mission. This year, it was all about the ‘Dice of Destiny’ which sparked important conversations about how we can all play a role in advocating for change.
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The No Fly Zone at Greenbelt 2024 was a powerful platform for meaningful dialogue and action, highlighting the interconnectedness of faith, justice and advocacy. By offering an innovative approach to global issues, the No Fly Zone sets a new standard for how we engage with these vital conversations.
We’re already counting down the days until Greenbelt 2025!
