World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated every year on 5th June to raise global awareness and positive environmental action to protect the planet. On this day, people from across the globe celebrate World Environment Day (WED) by taking part in environmental action and becoming agents of change for positive impact on the planet. The 2016 theme was on the illegal trade in wildlife, which is eroding Earth’s precious biodiversity.
Recognizing the fact that religious leaders, faith-based communities, and interfaith organizations should provide a significant contribution in creating awareness on sound environmental management, climate change mitigation, and addressing the safety of wildlife, URI-Africa organized a celebration of World Environment Day under the theme of “The Role Of Faith Based Organizations and Religious Leaders In Environmental Protection and fight against Illegal Wildlife Trade In Africa” in partnership with All African Conference of Churches, Mother Earth Network CC, and Kenya Interfaith Network On Action For Environment CC.
The event took place at Desmond Tutu Conference Centre on June 6, 2016 in Nairobi, Kenya. The keynote address for the event was delivered by Mr. Levis Kavagi, Regional Coordinator on Ecosystems Management of United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP).
There were presentations around themes including:
- Role of Faith Based Organizations and Religious Leaders in Environmental care in Africa
- Role of Faith Based Organizations /Religious Leaders and Sustainable Development Goals
- Faith perspectives and actions on Environmental care and protection of wildlife
The objectives of the celebration of the event was:
- To create a platform for faith leaders and faith-based organizations to get involved in awareness creation on environmental care and climate change, to amplify interfaith involvement in wildlife conservation.
- To inspire and promote faith groups’ commitment to environmental care through knowledge and experience sharing and to emphasize on the Green Rule which is “DO UNTO THE EARTH AS YOU WOULD HAVE IT DO UNTO YOU” as the unifying factor among the faiths on environmental care.
On the occasion of the celebration of the event URI-Africa presented its inaugural Environmental Stewardship Award to Mother Earth Network CC. In handing over the award, Amb. Mussie Hailu recognized Mother Earth Network CC’s exemplary work over more than 25 years in the rehabilitation of forests, planting 1 million trees in Lower Subukia, Kenya and addressing the issue of forest conservation, climate change, protection of the environmental, caring for Mother Earth and for being compassionate for all forms of life. The award is also presented in recognition of the effort of Mother Earth Network’s advocacy work in creating awareness and dialogue among all stakeholders on the issue of environmental preservation and eco-system conservation.
URI –Africa plans to present the Environmental Stewardship Award ever year to organizations or individuals doing outstanding and exemplary work in the preservation of environment and Mother Nature. The award is going to be presented annually on the occasion of the celebration of World Environment Day.
In his solidarity message sent for the event, Dr. Joseph Chilengi, Presiding Officer of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union said, “I take this opportunity to inform you the endorsement of AU-ECOSOCC for the initiative of URI-Africa on Green Rule Campaign to work in partnership with UNEP to inspire and promote faith groups’ commitment to environmental care. Once again I want to express the commitment of AU-ECOSOCC to continuing to work with URI-Africa in promoting environmental protection, cultures of peace, and inter-religious and inter-cultural harmony addressing the issue of counter violent extremism and radicalization in Africa”.
At the end of the event, four trees were planted by the UNEP representative and the participants of the event at the compound of Desmond Tutu Conference center as sign of interfaith commitment for environmental preservation and action.
MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH
Ambassador Mussie Hailu is Regional Coordinator for URI-Africa and URI’s Representative at the African Union, Economic Commission for Africa, and UN office in Africa.
