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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.

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.

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

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.

CELEBRATION OF 5th ANNIVERSARY OF THE PARIS AGREEMENT

WORLD AIDS DAY CELEBRATION

                                                     YOUFRA CELEBRATING WORLD AIDS DAY

CUEA - JPIC FA - National AIDS  Control Council - Council of Gorvernors together against HIV/AIDS 

WATCH YOUFRA CELEBRATING WORLD AIDS DAY DECEMBER 2016

Call for Fossil Fuel Divestment

JPIC FA - Media

Fossil Fuel Divest and reinvest toolkit

https://catholicclimatemovement.global/divest-and-reinvest/toolkit/ 

Speech by Jeremiah Mwendwa on day of Strike for climate 21st Sept 2019

He is a secondary school boy, he used parts of his body to describe the bodies of government . We appreciate his creativity during the Strike for climate organised by Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation Franciscans Africa.

Speech by RUKIYA AHMED , on 21st September 2019 Strike for Climate

She is an outstanding lady on climate justice advocacy, 16 years old, form 3 student , at Our Lady of Mercy Shauri Moyo sec School, Nairobi, Kenya. She gave a real sens to the climate strike organised by Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation Franciscans Africa.

GLOBAL CLIMATE STRIKE NAIROBI, KENYA on 21st September 2019

Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation Franciscans Africa in collaboration with many other partners organized Schools strike for climate on 21st September, 2019 in Nairobi city ( industrial area), Kenya. Children from many secondary schools, primary schools,Franciscan sisters and brothers, university schools, media and teachers. More that 1000 children marched a distance of 4 km with written messages on banners and placards, addressing people who work in industries around the area. They were chanting requesting for a clean environment and clean energy now now and now. The children got opportunity to address the guest who represented the Nairobi Governor and their handed over to her a letter written on 10 recommendations that Kenya government and Nairobi City county should implement.

By Steeven Kezamutima

Beat Plastic Pollution

Living No One Behind

5th INTERFAITH YOUTH FORUM ON ENVIRONMENT AND PEACE #2018

Connecting The Dots Between Human Rights,Climate Change And Sustainable Development Goals

Birthday Tree Planting at Catholic University of Eastern Africa

The Birthday Tree planting campaign was initiated by JPIC, Franciscans Africa and leading by Steven KEZAMUTIMA. CUEA as the partner of JPIC, FA used to host their most events.

Earth in 2050 by RUKIYA AHMED

Our mother Earth in 2050 is a hope for a young AHMED RUKIYA

Rev. Father John Anthony Kaiser,MHM. Documentary

Our Hearts are Restless until we find the Justice 

This Documentary was produced in the way of Seeking the truth about the life and the Death of an untold hero, an innocent man, a human right defender, a man of God, Fr. John Anthony Kaiser

Peace walk and concert Franciscans Africa 2017

Our last appeal Towards peaceful election (2017)

KENYA UNITED FOR PEACE

Peace in Mind and Action 

The 5th Interfaith Youth Forum on Environment & Peace

The 5th Interfaith Youth Forum on Environment and Peace was held successfully from 28th to 29th September 2017 at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa under the theme “Connecting the Dots between Human Rights, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Goals.”

The forum’s theme sought to reflect our determined resolution to blend the environment and peace as the main unifying factors to bring together all Kenyan youths from all walks of life. Several dignitaries from different religious affiliations such as Islam, Hare Krishna, Anglican, and Catholic Church were all in attendance to offer their religions’ viewpoints and inspiration as far as environment and peace are concerned. 

JPIC-FA Joins Call for a Fossil Free World at the Rise for Climate Summit

Last week, the JPIC-FA participated in events organized under the Rise for Climate summit that was held from 7^th – 8^th September at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Lang’ata campus. The summit was one of the thousands observed around the world and it brought together different NGO`s, civil society organizations, religious and learning institutions who came out in a unified voice to demand action from all stakeholders. The goal of the summit was to call and demand that leaders take an active role in fighting climate change and commit themselves to safeguard our planet towards a livable climate. 

Observing the 3rd Anniversary of Laudato Si

On Saturday, 07^th July 2018, the JPIC-FA office in partnership with The Damietta Peace Initiative, Mother Earth Network, and the JPIC – OFM CAP organized the third anniversary of Laudato Si at the Franciscan Association Portiuncula Center. The theme of this year’s event was “Reawakening the care of our common home”. The event was part of a series of events that were observed during the week-long EACC - CONCAO JPIC - OFM gatherings with participants coming from diverse national backgrounds all over Africa and the rest of the world. 

Birthday Tree Planting Campaign Launched

ON Friday 29th June, the long-awaited Birthday Treeplanting Campaign was launched at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Lang'ata. The event was graced by students from three partner schools namely; Huruma Girls and Our Lady of Mercy. Others that graced the event were school administrators, Sisters, and Brothers. The event held in CUEA's Missio Hall kicked off at 10:30 am with a word of prayer from Sr. Mary Sebastian of JPIC-FA.

Gallery

Welcome to our photo gallery, click on the photo to view.

The Justice & Peace and integrity of Creation Franciscan Africa

Following a decision made during the World social forum in 2007 held in Nairobi, the JPICFA begun. The office for Justice, Peace and Integrity of creation (JPICFA) is based in Nairobi (Kenya) initiative and the arm lobbying and advocacy of Franciscan in Africa, following in the footsteps of our Seraphic Father, St. Francis of Assisi worldly renowned for being a mentor of Peace and Reconciliation, the office of justice and peace and integrity of creation was created to respond to peace issues within Africa.

Franciscans in Africa realized that as Religious they can no longer remain ignorant about socio- economic problems and inactive when human and political rights are violated. They reflect on the social conditions and problems that are a challenging in the rapidly changing world today. The JPICFA office is a support to the work of Franciscans.

Furthermore by our call as Franciscans, we are to be the peacemakers it is well seen in the daily prayer for peace that all Franciscan pray and which has become the anthem for peace in the whole world. it concerns width matters of justice, peace and integrity of creation as important aspects to Franciscans and the people they serve throughout the continent.

The office was opened during the time when Kenya as a country  was experiencing the aftermath of tribe clashes and the victims were still refuges in their own country, it was a time that Kenya was approaching the elections and history has it that our elections had system people dead and 650000 displaced persons. The office contributed a lot towards a peaceful Kenya; they joined the like minded partners to organize a very historical healing and reconciliation symposium held in May 2008 in Catholic University Nairobi , the youth forum in Bomas for peace building and reconciliation which the office organized with collaboration the youth ministry office.

Civic Education: The continuously creates a awareness on issues that affects the people of Kenya for example the Lenten campaign is one of the strategy by the Catholic Justice and Peace commission to create awareness different themes. The Franciscan office has taken upon itself to hold seminars, organize prayers around the Lenten campaign period with specific reference to the Justice, peace and reconciliation as their main strength given that the office is Franciscan.