Interfaith Youth Forum & School Strike for Climate
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Every year since 2014, the Office of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Franciscans Africa (JPIC-FA) has held an Interfaith Youth Forum for Environment and Peace. The office was previously supported by Fr. Joe Ehrhardt OFM, however, he is no longer serving in Kenya due to illness. JPIC-FA continues to organize the same activities as before, but without the support needed. This year, due to lack of sufficient financial support, JPIC-FA is planning a scaled down version of their Interfaith Youth Forum, reducing their budget from $12,000 to $3,460 - funds which still have not been raised. The 2019 Interfaith Youth Forum for Environment and Peace will coincide with the Global Youth Climate Strike on the 20 of September, and World Peace Day on the 21 of September.
As a person who was very active with Capuchin Franciscan Youth & Family Ministries as a teenager in New York, I know how powerful youth ministry can be. During a 2015 multi-faith youth global climate convergence I attended in Rome as a member of the Franciscan Earth Corps, I met Allen Ottaro, the director of CYNESA, the Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa. In 2019, during CYNESA's 5th Anniversary and Laudato Si's 4th Anniversary, Allen invited me to Nairobi, Kenya for a Laudato Si Generation conference, which is where I met Sister Mary Frances Wangari Sebastian and Steeven Kezamutima, a Franciscan Youth, from the JPIC-FA Office. Hearing about their work, I was struck by how holistic and comprehensive of a program they have for youth, and doubly struck by how underfunded their office is to do such incredibly important work on ecology and peacemaking in Kenya and across Africa.
Background
The Office of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Franciscans Africa (JPIC-FA) was established in Kenya at the start of 2008 after breakout of violence at the wake of the country’s disputed 2007 general elections. JPIC-FA promotes actions in favor of justice, peace and human rights, following the values of St Francis of Assisi.
JPIC-FA members live a life of conscious prayer and action to transform the world in the spirit of the Gospel through lives of justice, peace and care for the integrity of creation, such as by offering training courses in the area of JPIC-FA and advocating for human rights with governments and other agencies.
Introduction
Interfaith Youth Forum on Environment and Peace (IYFEP) has been a special program which provides a platform for dialogue, learning and sharing experiences among the Kenyan youths. The platform brings together a huge number of youths from different faith backgrounds, thus promoting the peace agenda through environmental initiatives. The forum thrives in developing a clear understanding on the nexus between interfaith youth, care for creation and peaceful coexistence.
Brief History
In 2008 after the post-election violence, JPIC Franciscan Africa together with the Ministry of Youth & Sports organized a big forum that attracted over 2000 youths across the country. The event was held in BOMAS of Kenya under the theme “Youth United in Peace and development for a stable and prosperous Kenya”. This led to the birth of IYFEP later in 2014 when Franciscans globally celebrated 35 years since Francis of Assisi was made the patron of ecology. Since 2014 the forum has attracted many partners who are committed to engaging the youths around interfaith dialogue and care for our common home in fostering diversity, peaceful coexistence, healing and respect for the environment. This has been achieved through its central convener, the Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation Franciscans Africa (JPICFA), the forum creating an excellent model for partnership and collaboration in the successful implementation of the youth agenda and promoting interfaith cohesion and a sustainable platform for engaging young people.
2019 Forum
The forum of September 2018 under the theme Connecting the Dots of Human Rights, climate change and Sustainable Development Goals” attracted 700 young people, providing a platform for the interfaith youths to understand their role in the implementation of the SDGs as well as creating awareness on impacts of climate change. The theme of the 2019 Interfaith Youth Forum on Environment and Peace this year is “Laudato Si, for Environment and Social Justice”.
The theme has been inspired by the Encyclical written by Pope Francis entitled Laudato Si, which is a document highlighting practical ways through which people of all faiths can come together to save mother nature driven by the green rule Do unto the earth what you would like done to you.
It is a new appeal from Pope Francis addressed to “every person living on this planet to care for our common home.” Laudato Si is comes as response to the sign of the time Considering Climate as gift from God.
The interfaith forum will open dialogue on the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor, thus the concern of human dignity and solidarity. The participants will also go to the field and implement Laudato Si in a practical and concrete way, such as by planting trees.
The Just concluded 4th United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) created a platform for the interfaith voice to be heard in the conservation arena under the slogan #Faith for Earth. The 2019 youth forum seeks to propel this agenda to the next level by engaging the interfaith youths who are vital for the achieving global impact for actions in care for creation and peaceful coexistence. The forum will explore various initiatives such as watching the video, The Sultan and the Saint, use of motivational speeches, debate and group discussion, clean up, walk for awareness and advocacy, Art and Music, poems, tree planting, selected topics (Clean environment, food security, sustainable agriculture, etc.), and organizing of a faith leader opening session on the first day of the forum. As main concern by all Kenyan youths, related to health, the forum will open a dialogue for youth regarding some aspects of climate change like food security of our young generation. There will be panel and group discussions for youth and experts to break down the theme, connecting to what they are doing and how do it better linking to Laudato Si and SDGs, and youth will showcase climate justice through different items of art. During the forum, we also intend to award some young people who are doing a lot in engaging their fellows to care for peace and our common home as well as some teachers who are taking seriously the environmental program.
This Interfaith youth forum is a platform formed by many partners: JPIC Franciscans Africa, Capuchin TV, Mercy Education Office, Mother Earth Network, 350.Africa, Eden’s Gardens Stewards, MAf-AGEH, Harmony Institute, CSJE-Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Anglican Church, Bahai faith, Muslim Faith, Hindu Faith, Hare Chrisna Temple, Tangaza College, CYNESA, Africa Nazarene University and we are expecting 1000 participants.
The interfaith youth forum of this year will be held on 20th September 2019 at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Langata Campus and 21st September 2019 with a Cleanup- walk and Peace Concert at Mukuru Slum. The second day will be also a celebration of World Peace Day.
Overall objective:
Engaging interfaith youths as agents of achieving global impact for actions in care for creation and peaceful coexistence.
Specific objectives:
1. To provide an annual platform for young people drawn from different faiths to interact and foster peaceful coexistence, reconciliation, national integration and care for creation.
2. To hold a clean-up activity as concrete Laudato Si action.
3. To Conduct a peaceful procession for climate justice and advocacy for clean environment
4. To organize an interfaith Peace Concert in celebration of World Peace Day
5. To award some young people who have been standing strong in advocating for clean environment
Expectations Outcome
· Enhanced capacity of youth in terms of policy negotiations through youth public participation.
· 1000 youth understanding Laudato Si through concrete activity
· Inspiration for Innovative and continuous concrete activities to be taken to local places
· Strengthened youth networks in advocating for renewable energy and ethical way of life
· The active youth will challenge and inspire the people in Nairobi town and local leaders
· Political leaders to commit for renewable energy
Budget:
Publicity-Marketing, $150
Banner
Food and beverage, 1000 people, $2000
Lunch and water
Entertainment $410
PA System
Live Band
Tents
Chairs
Documents production, $300
Certificates, 1000 people
Venue, $100
Venue arrangement (CUEA)
Media Coverage, $100
Video photos documentary, edit and present
Award, $100
Trophies, 5 youths
Clean Up and walk, $200
Gloves
Masks
Litter bags
Reflectors jackets
Logistics and miscellaneous, $100
Total Amount, $3,460
Thank you for any support you can give to this worthwhile cause! Please consider sharing this GoFundMe page with your friends as well.
As a person who was very active with Capuchin Franciscan Youth & Family Ministries as a teenager in New York, I know how powerful youth ministry can be. During a 2015 multi-faith youth global climate convergence I attended in Rome as a member of the Franciscan Earth Corps, I met Allen Ottaro, the director of CYNESA, the Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa. In 2019, during CYNESA's 5th Anniversary and Laudato Si's 4th Anniversary, Allen invited me to Nairobi, Kenya for a Laudato Si Generation conference, which is where I met Sister Mary Frances Wangari Sebastian and Steeven Kezamutima, a Franciscan Youth, from the JPIC-FA Office. Hearing about their work, I was struck by how holistic and comprehensive of a program they have for youth, and doubly struck by how underfunded their office is to do such incredibly important work on ecology and peacemaking in Kenya and across Africa.
Background
The Office of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Franciscans Africa (JPIC-FA) was established in Kenya at the start of 2008 after breakout of violence at the wake of the country’s disputed 2007 general elections. JPIC-FA promotes actions in favor of justice, peace and human rights, following the values of St Francis of Assisi.
JPIC-FA members live a life of conscious prayer and action to transform the world in the spirit of the Gospel through lives of justice, peace and care for the integrity of creation, such as by offering training courses in the area of JPIC-FA and advocating for human rights with governments and other agencies.
Introduction
Interfaith Youth Forum on Environment and Peace (IYFEP) has been a special program which provides a platform for dialogue, learning and sharing experiences among the Kenyan youths. The platform brings together a huge number of youths from different faith backgrounds, thus promoting the peace agenda through environmental initiatives. The forum thrives in developing a clear understanding on the nexus between interfaith youth, care for creation and peaceful coexistence.
Brief History
In 2008 after the post-election violence, JPIC Franciscan Africa together with the Ministry of Youth & Sports organized a big forum that attracted over 2000 youths across the country. The event was held in BOMAS of Kenya under the theme “Youth United in Peace and development for a stable and prosperous Kenya”. This led to the birth of IYFEP later in 2014 when Franciscans globally celebrated 35 years since Francis of Assisi was made the patron of ecology. Since 2014 the forum has attracted many partners who are committed to engaging the youths around interfaith dialogue and care for our common home in fostering diversity, peaceful coexistence, healing and respect for the environment. This has been achieved through its central convener, the Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation Franciscans Africa (JPICFA), the forum creating an excellent model for partnership and collaboration in the successful implementation of the youth agenda and promoting interfaith cohesion and a sustainable platform for engaging young people.
2019 Forum
The forum of September 2018 under the theme Connecting the Dots of Human Rights, climate change and Sustainable Development Goals” attracted 700 young people, providing a platform for the interfaith youths to understand their role in the implementation of the SDGs as well as creating awareness on impacts of climate change. The theme of the 2019 Interfaith Youth Forum on Environment and Peace this year is “Laudato Si, for Environment and Social Justice”.
The theme has been inspired by the Encyclical written by Pope Francis entitled Laudato Si, which is a document highlighting practical ways through which people of all faiths can come together to save mother nature driven by the green rule Do unto the earth what you would like done to you.
It is a new appeal from Pope Francis addressed to “every person living on this planet to care for our common home.” Laudato Si is comes as response to the sign of the time Considering Climate as gift from God.
The interfaith forum will open dialogue on the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor, thus the concern of human dignity and solidarity. The participants will also go to the field and implement Laudato Si in a practical and concrete way, such as by planting trees.
The Just concluded 4th United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) created a platform for the interfaith voice to be heard in the conservation arena under the slogan #Faith for Earth. The 2019 youth forum seeks to propel this agenda to the next level by engaging the interfaith youths who are vital for the achieving global impact for actions in care for creation and peaceful coexistence. The forum will explore various initiatives such as watching the video, The Sultan and the Saint, use of motivational speeches, debate and group discussion, clean up, walk for awareness and advocacy, Art and Music, poems, tree planting, selected topics (Clean environment, food security, sustainable agriculture, etc.), and organizing of a faith leader opening session on the first day of the forum. As main concern by all Kenyan youths, related to health, the forum will open a dialogue for youth regarding some aspects of climate change like food security of our young generation. There will be panel and group discussions for youth and experts to break down the theme, connecting to what they are doing and how do it better linking to Laudato Si and SDGs, and youth will showcase climate justice through different items of art. During the forum, we also intend to award some young people who are doing a lot in engaging their fellows to care for peace and our common home as well as some teachers who are taking seriously the environmental program.
This Interfaith youth forum is a platform formed by many partners: JPIC Franciscans Africa, Capuchin TV, Mercy Education Office, Mother Earth Network, 350.Africa, Eden’s Gardens Stewards, MAf-AGEH, Harmony Institute, CSJE-Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Anglican Church, Bahai faith, Muslim Faith, Hindu Faith, Hare Chrisna Temple, Tangaza College, CYNESA, Africa Nazarene University and we are expecting 1000 participants.
The interfaith youth forum of this year will be held on 20th September 2019 at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Langata Campus and 21st September 2019 with a Cleanup- walk and Peace Concert at Mukuru Slum. The second day will be also a celebration of World Peace Day.
Overall objective:
Engaging interfaith youths as agents of achieving global impact for actions in care for creation and peaceful coexistence.
Specific objectives:
1. To provide an annual platform for young people drawn from different faiths to interact and foster peaceful coexistence, reconciliation, national integration and care for creation.
2. To hold a clean-up activity as concrete Laudato Si action.
3. To Conduct a peaceful procession for climate justice and advocacy for clean environment
4. To organize an interfaith Peace Concert in celebration of World Peace Day
5. To award some young people who have been standing strong in advocating for clean environment
Expectations Outcome
· Enhanced capacity of youth in terms of policy negotiations through youth public participation.
· 1000 youth understanding Laudato Si through concrete activity
· Inspiration for Innovative and continuous concrete activities to be taken to local places
· Strengthened youth networks in advocating for renewable energy and ethical way of life
· The active youth will challenge and inspire the people in Nairobi town and local leaders
· Political leaders to commit for renewable energy
Budget:
Publicity-Marketing, $150
Banner
Food and beverage, 1000 people, $2000
Lunch and water
Entertainment $410
PA System
Live Band
Tents
Chairs
Documents production, $300
Certificates, 1000 people
Venue, $100
Venue arrangement (CUEA)
Media Coverage, $100
Video photos documentary, edit and present
Award, $100
Trophies, 5 youths
Clean Up and walk, $200
Gloves
Masks
Litter bags
Reflectors jackets
Logistics and miscellaneous, $100
Total Amount, $3,460
Thank you for any support you can give to this worthwhile cause! Please consider sharing this GoFundMe page with your friends as well.
Fundraising team: JPIC Franciscans Africa (2)
Kelly Moltzen
Organizer
New York, NY
Steeven Kezamutima
Team member
