Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
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| Mr. Allen Ottaro (Making presentation), Executive Director CYNESA |
“AMECEA should engage young people in the care for creation,” Executive Director of the Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa (CYNESA) Mr. Allen Ottaro told dozens of participants drawn from five countries within the AMECEA region.
“It is necessary to highlight the critical roles that young people have, including the issue of inter-generational justice because the very severe impacts of climate crisis are going to happen in the life time of these young people,” Mr. Ottaro who is also founder of CYNESA underscored.
Identifying some of the ways young people should participate in care for creation, the facilitator explained, “AMECEA should look on how to include young people in the forefront as they engage in conservation of environmental issues and decision making processes so that they (young people) can be familiar with what is going on and be part of these processes of reversing the damage that has been caused in the environment.”
Referencing Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter ‘Laudato Si’, the facilitator added, “Environment is given to us as a loan to give back to the next generation and so by involving the young people, it is also a good way of handing over.”
Mr. Ottaro who directs CYNESA on care for our common home through formation on Catholic Social teachings, networking, advocacy and facilitating young people to come up with concrete environmental action plans in their local communities to about 10 African countries who are currently members, emphasized that through preparing young people and forming them, AMECEA will be able to benefit from their enthusiasm and creativity.
He appreciated the initiatives that have been taken by different conferences on environmental protection saying, “I appreciate what the conferences are doing. It is necessary to take stock on what is going on in relation to care for creation, after which the needs and the gaps can be identified and addressed.”
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| Mr. Eugene Kabilika (Making Presentation), Caritas Director National office Zambia |
In this case he advised on use of solar energy, proper garbage management avoiding overgrazing, over ploughing and over use of chemicals.
Acknowledging the message of 2016 Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (ZCCB) president Archbishop, Telesphore George Mpundu when welcoming Cardinal Peter Turkson to Zambia, Mr. Kabilika said, “The Encyclical Laudato Si, reveals to us a spiritual journey that humanity has to take in confronting the basic problems that have been responsible for the distortion of the environment.”
“Human beings are unfortunately acting as though creation belonged to them to use and misuse in any way they feel like. We do not inherit the earth from our parents, we borrow it from our children (and) to lack respect for mother earth is to lack respect for God,” he concluded.