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our voice to Glasgow

                                                                                  “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.

FRIDAY FOR FUTURE 19TH, MARCH 2021 By JPIC,Franciscans Africa

Despite the hit of the 3^rd wave of Covid-19, we remain united in action for climate, locally, regionally, and globally. In that regard, the office of Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation Franciscans Africa in collaboration with members of Laudato Si Generation in East African countries joined the Friday for future global action on 19th March 2021.

The message was clear on that day” No empty promises”. We can no longer believe in what politicians say, while sickness, drought, floods, and hunger are still a reality in many parts of the world, but there is no enough commitment from the governments to prevent or to assist victims.

East African youth got a reason to keep the pressure on their government because it is all about their future. Some governments are still pushing for oil, gas, and coal mining projects while in many developed countries that have been stopped. However, East African governments have shown how possible it is to fight a global pandemic especially during Covid-19, and in a similar way for climate justice, the same efforts and resources can be used to promote clean energy in order to ensure a just recovery.

              Espoir scout group in Burundi, Click to view  Blog link, Pictures  and Video                                                              SOPRODE DRC/Bukavu link photos

Kenya, CUEA Students, Pictures and Video

The countries which managed to take action are Kenya, Burundi, and DRC/ Bukavu. Tanzania which use to do a great mobilization did not make it this time due to the death of President John Pombe Magufuli.

Pope Francis and Gretta Thunberg are our role models, and we congratulate churches’ institutions that have already declared their Divestment commitment. In Kenya, we acknowledge The Catholic University of Eastern Africa for being among the first biggest Catholic Institutions to Divest. Through the Friday for future action, it was an opportunity to call upon again all Catholic institutions even non-Catholics to stop investing any of their money in Fossil fuel, especially Coal.

Though Kenya is in lockdown now, Our partners remain vigilant and in solidarity with victims of the climate crisis, as well as victims Covid-19. May God brings healing to people and the planet.

We shall overcome!

Steeven Kezamutima

Laudato Si Generation Member

SOLIDARITY WITH FOSSIL FREE VIRUNGA, NAIROBI, JPIC FRANCIACANS AFRICA

On 30 June 2021, the office of Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation Franciscans Africa joined many other climate activists standing in solidarity with Fossil Free Virunga.

As DRC was celebrating 61st Independence, in Nairobi, our office partnered with DRC students in The Catholic University of Eastern Africa. We were also joined by Burundian and Rwandese communities who anticipated their independence one day before in order to stand in solidarity with Virunga.

The short documentary on Fossil free Virunga was projected to the participants and left all of them touched, inspired, and informed.

The debate after the documentary projection was interesting. The DRC community chairperson picked the aspect of human rights, sovereignty, and natural resources from the speech of Patrice Lumumba the Hero of their independence, and connected with the documentary.

Other participants made some important comments saying that even though DRC is independent there still gaps of having poor leadership, leaders who don’t give priority to local communities when it comes to public resources.

The DRC students plus students from other countries at The Catholic University of Eastern Africa were amazed by the advocacy done by the young climate activists in DRC…Judith Zawadi and Antoine Ngola Saintex.

People from Burundi and Rwanda acknowledged that the fight for Fossil Free in Virunga is a regional fight because the three countries are all neighbors and connected politically and socio-economically, therefore any climate impact in one country affects others.

They all committed to stand in solidarity with Virunga, to support in any proposed way in order to amplify the voice of Fossil Free Virunga. 

After the discussion around the documentary, people did an amazing photo session with messages on a banner and placards: Fossil Free Virunga, a Fossil Free Africa is the only choice, We stand in solidarity with Virunga, etc. Find more pictures through this link Fossil Free Virunga

The office of Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation is very grateful for the support by 350.org and the partnership with the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.

INTERFAITH POETIC YOUTH FORUM EVENT ,12 DECEMBER 2020

December 12, 2020, marked the 5th Anniversary of the Paris Agreement. 

On that day, the office of Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation Franciscans Africa mobilized schools for the climate in a virtual poetic forum. Interfaith youth forum is always an important platform for us because it gives space to young people from different faiths to advocate for clean energy. The main goal of the event was to bring together young people in the climate movement to mark the 5^th anniversary of the Paris Agreement and call on the government to demonstrate real climate leadership to stay within 1.5 by keeping it in the ground and not funding fossil fuels.

The young people from different schools and universities presented different poetic items under the theme “We rise again”

The event was attended by the youth from Harmony institute (Muslims), Bahai faith, Youth Network for Inter-religious Brotherhood, Anglican, and Catholics. We acknowledge also the participation of many Franciscan sisters and brothers, and Franciscan youth from Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, DRC, and Uganda as well as the US.

Schools that joined were: Mama Africa, Our Lady of Mercy Ngarariga Girls Sec School, Our Lady of Mercy Girls Shauro Moyo, Huruma Girls, Young Mercy Ecology, The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Tangaza University College.

Key moments

• Omar Elmawi, a coordinator of the DeCoalonize campaign, a coal resistance movement in Kenya, introduced to young people the historical background of the coal business in Kenya, the movement and strategies, some wins, and continuation of resistance.

• Online interaction: The presentation of Omar was very informative to young people and triggered an interesting discussion in the chatbox with questions and responses. Click Here to View Chat Box

• Rukia Ahmed, a form4 student leader from Our Lady of Mercy Shauri Moyo Girls was chosen to be the guest of honor because she has demonstrated since 2019 her qualities of a climate activist and good young leader. After regretting the failure of our governments to implement the Paris Agreement, Rukia spoke strongly in a very motivational way about her feelings and invited her fellows' young students to keep on the fight.

She said:“… I feel the pain of the poor and the young generation. Every night I get nightmares seeing the black gases in the atmosphere, no social justice, we are not allowed to talk, the voice of the poor have been ignored…. might be born poor but I have a dream to die rich, but you political leaders make me feel sad because the rich out there are discouraging me because their work is to oppress the poor. To the young people like me, …we are then ones that have energy and gifted enough, let us take action, …you will either be at the table to discuss your future and eat well or be at the menu to be eaten well” Click to Watch Rukia Speech

• Art-performance: the performances were in form of songs, Poems, spoken words, and motivational speeches.

Everybody tackled the theme of the day from different angles emphasizing the common fight for 1.5C. We can mention the poem “My sight, my feeling” by Mama Africa Sec. School from Nairobi/Mathare, the song we rise by Franciscan Little sisters of St Joseph, and the Spoken word “the journey” by Ericko Raswamuthoni from Tangaza University college, etc.

• Striking moment: We had a special moment of lighting candles in solidarity with victims of climate injustice and Covid-19. At the same time participants did an online strike by raising their placards with messages, shouting and chanting, calling on the Kenyan government to focus on its nationally determined contributions to limit GHG emissions by 30% by 2030 by rapidly phasing out fossil fuels. They also amplified the call for a just recovery ahead of the COP26 by urging the government to invest money in renewable energy and healthier and more equitable jobs that take care of the people and the planet. On the same day, a Twitter discussion has been trending emphasizing the same message.@FaithAction_KE

The event was recorded on YouTube click here to watch

Click here  to view Event Pictures

We appreciate each and everybody to make this event a success, especially the support by 350 Africa.