Sr. Anne Celestine
JPIC-FA Co-ordinator
Team Members
Sr. Mary Frances Sebastian, LSSJ.
Executive Director
Steeven KEZAMUTIMA
JPIC-FA Program Manager
J.M.Vianney NIKOBAHOZE
Environmental Researcher
& Media Team Manager
Charity Work Latest
NEWS
FRIDAY FOR FUTURE 19TH, MARCH 2021 By JPIC,Franciscans Africa
Despite the hit of the 3rd 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 5th 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.
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
CELEBRATION OF 5th ANNIVERSARY OF THE PARIS AGREEMENT
As 12th December marks the 5th Anniversary of the Paris Agreement, the world had pledged to cut their emissions and to take climate action needed that will keep the planet at a liveable temperature of 1.5 oC. However, 5 years later many are failing or putting forward false solutions.
As an Interfaith youth platform in Kenya and Africa, we have been fighting to kick coal out of the country and our continent. As we celebrate this anniversary, young people from Laudato Si Generation Africa members call on our government to demonstrate real climate leadership to stay within 1.5C by keeping in the ground and not funding fossil.
Join our Interfaith Poetic Youth Forum and see how talent speaks. Poems, spoken words, songs, and motivational speeches. Mr. Omar Elmawi will share his experience in Decoalonize movement. Rukia Ahmed a Muslim young climate activist from OLM Girls Shauri Moyo Secondary School will share the dream of young people by breaking down the theme of the day “We rise again”
Carry your candle and message on a paper. We shall light candles in solidarity with communities victims of climate change and Coivid-19. We shall raise messages during a striking moment.
Choose a message here: - Keep in in the ground
-Honor the Paris Agreement
- Stop Coal business
- Stop Fossil fuels business
- Yes for Renewables
- We need a just recovery
Time: 4.00-5.30 PM, Nairobi
Topic: INTERFAITH POETIC YOUTH FORUM
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 894 3424 7380
Passcode: 965312
Call for Fossil Fuel Divestment
JPIC FA - Media
Fossil Fuel Divest and reinvest toolkit
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