Interfaith Youth Forum on Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

 Call to COP27 for an immediate phasing out of Fossil Fuel

The people of Faith are showing their commitment to raise the voices of communities and victims of the climate crisis in Kenya and Africa.

The office of Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation Franciscans has gathered 600 participants from different Faiths and schools in a Conference that turned to be global due to the launching of the new Film from Vatican The Letter.

On Saturday 15Oct 2022, the Film became an excellent tool to engage with various stakeholders. Most importantly, the Member of Parliament Honorable Felix Oduor known as Jalango responded to our invitation and made a commitment to support our journey on mitigating climate change effects and give support on the Fossil Fuel Non-proliferation the Star news.

MP Felix Oduor commitment to support climate action

The famous MP  Jalango launched then the “Clean Energy School Champions  Program” Which will be conducted in  15 secondary schools and 5 Universities as pilot from 2023-2030. In Secondary Schools, it will focus on building the capacity of students on the clean energy concept, artivism, Social media Campaigns, social movement building, and clean energy innovation.  In universities, the program shall be focusing on clean energy dialogue, lobbying, and advocacy for clean energy policy.

The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty was read by two young people one being indigenous (Maasai) and another being a lady representing gender, the Treaty was presented to the guests. The MP promised further dialogue regarding our request on building a Fossil-free Kenya.

Student's engagement on Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

At the end, students raised their voices with messages on placards addressing leaders who will attend COP27. They were requesting for climate justice now and the funding loss and damage.

Some of the partners that were present are the Laudato Si Movement, Focoral Movement, Mercy Education office, Harmony Institute, Jamia Mosque, Kenya Catholic Conference of Bishops,  AMECEA, UNEP-Faith4Earth, etc. Schools were Light International Academy, Mama Africa, Huruma Girls, St Michaels, St Anne, The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Tangaza University College, Africa Nazarene University, MKU, and religious people.

The conference was organized by JPIC Franciscans Africa and hosted by The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, supported by 350 Africa, and covered by Capuchin TV, KBC and TV.

You can find here the photos of the conference and the wrap-up video of the conference.

Partners:

                                                                                  “Destroying the planet is against our religions”

In line with COP26, Laudato Si Generation members in Kenya, through the office of Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation Franciscans Africa (JPIC-Franciscans Africa) managed to create space for interfaith leaders and youths who did not get a chance to attend the Glasgow conference in the Uk, for them to get chance to stand in solidarity with all stakeholders who were part of Glasgow conference and also by raising the concerns and recommendations of voiceless people from grassroots. As we joined Pope Francis with other global faiths leaders who met on 4th October 2021 for

“ Faith and science towards COP26”, we organized two major events at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi- Kenya: An interfaith Prayer Day and Faith Art Climate workshop.

1. Interfaith Green Prayer Day Event

Prior to COP 26 on Sunday 17 October 2021, members of the Laudato Si Generation in Nairobi together with religious communities, CUEA students, and guests from different faiths gathered for climate action. It started with a Catholic Eucharistic Mass celebration inside of The Catholic University of Eastern Africa. During Mass, Faiths leaders Guest was warmly welcomed and was given enough time to address the congregation on matters related to climate issues globally and locally, the role and power of people of faith in influencing effective solution, and they appealed Kenyan Government and major financial institutions to take in consideration the demands from Faith leaders in regards with COP26. The Catholic University of Eastern Africa has a strong motivation to be the host of such climate actions, just remind that it was the first Kenyan Catholic institution if not in the whole Eastern Africa to declare divestment on 18th May 2020 through the Laudato Si Movement, GCCM at the time.

The key massages of the day were: Destroying the planet is against our religions and demand was an immediate end to new fossil fuel projects, deforestation, and related financing, a massive commitment to green jobs to reduce climate pollution and end poverty for millions, reparations from wealthy countries to equip vulnerable nations for a better future of Kenya.

After Mass, the faith leaders addressed a Press communique through Capuchin TV and sent a message articulated on our demand to the World leaders who attended COP26 and Kenya Government for a just and sustainable future.

The capuchin TV covered the whole event https://youtu.be/bFsDqvjIQ7g and watch the short video here

We twitted the event under hashtag #Faith4Climate, from the Vice-Chancellor of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa the Very Rev. Prof. Stephen Mbugua and we tagged all partners 

https://twitter.com/VcCuea/status/1450079978654154758?s=08 find here  Pictures of the Event.

2. Faith Art Climate Workshop

                                                                                                                        “ People to the front ”

On 5th Nov 2021, as the global conference was still going on we decided to remind leaders in Glasgow that we are watching them. The youth raised loudly the voices of the people emphasizing that in all discussions that took place in Glasgow conference leaders should put people to the front.  As the first event was meant for religious leaders, this one gave space to youth from different faiths to send their voice to leaders gathered in COP26.

On that day, youth spoke through art painting and drawing as well as a live concert with songs and poems. Find here link to the video of the day

Guests and stakeholders reiterated the need of our governments, major financial institutions, and church institutions to stop putting money in any fossil fuel project and invest in clean energy.

There was a live streaming of the event on Twitter with key messages and art pieces of which tagged the COP26 and partners around Kenya and the whole world. The power of art stands in hands of youth and they demonstrated that as all pledged the end of any new fossil fuel projects, so as to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

We are convinced that climate change is a moral and spiritual challenge, therefore we remain together in prayer and solidarity for a just transition from Fossil fuel finance towards clean energy investment.

Here is the link to the photos of the day

We appreciate the support from our partners 350.org, Green Faith International Network, The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Harmony Institute, and Mother Earth Network. Our gratitude goes to our guests and partners from the Laudato Si Movement African office, Muslim community from the host university, G75 Green Faith circle, Interfaith youth from Mount Kenya University, Franciscans OFM Conventual brothers, Franciscans Missionaries of Mary sisters, the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya, Hare Krishna Temple, Bahai Temple, Green Anglican, Youth Network for Interreligious Brotherhood and Capuchin TV.