INTERFAITH YOUTH FORUM ON PEACE AND INTEGRAL ECOLOGY 2024 AT CUEA

The office of justice, peace and integrity of creation Franciscans Africa an office established in 2008 after the post election violence to bring together youths of all faiths to advocate and restore peace in the country organized its first interfaith youth forum and this has continued over the years up to now and on 27th September 2024 we  organized this year’s annual  interfaith youth forum on peace and integral ecology with the theme to hope and act with creation which attracted more than 450 participants (Youths, interfaith leaders, university students, organizations and local communities)

 

This year’s interfaith youth forum gave a platform to all interested partners and organizations and communities to engage and participate in discussion aiming to give hope to all, engage in activities focusing on restoration and care for mother earth. 

Fr. Peter Mbaro the director center for social justice and ethics catholic university of eastern Africa (CUEA) shared on the need to involve people in the academia sector in the fight against climate and in the call for the fossil fuel non proliferation treaty.

The faith leaders who joined the youths in the call to bring all leaders both the faith and political to endorse and advocate for the fossil fuel non  proliferation treaty termed the treaty the only hope and tool that can help in the fight against climate change and its severe impacts. They also emphasized that it’s everyone’s responsibility to care for the common home (Mother earth).

 

Madam Ann Chege from  the Kenya wildlife services (KWS) highlighted the need for environmental conservation and the need to end the era of coal ,Gas and fossil fuels for the impacts on biodiversity are so severe and are not only affecting humanity but also wildlife.

The local community was not left behind in raising their voices and calling for the endorsement of the fossil fuel treaty. This call was made by the Maasai community which has been affected by the impacts of climate change such as severe drought and water shortage over the years,

 

The interfaith forum concluded with dances and performance which are a powerful tool in passing the fossil fuel non proliferation treaty message.