The Council for World Mission (CWM) organized a five-day Youth Consultation on Ecology and Economy from 4-9 August. Taking place in Antananarivo, Madagascar, the event brought together 23 participants from churches including Churches of Christ in Malawi (CCM), Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (FJKM), United Church of Zambia (UCZ), United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA), and Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA).
Dr Teddy Sakupapa, senior lecturer of the University of Western Cape spoke on climate activism and how vital it is for churches to rise up to the powers that threaten the sanctity of creation.
“The clergy should take environmental issues seriously and not respond only during calamities. We need to see sermons and Bible studies in churches targeting the environment so that we change the mindset of our people depending on government. Christians have a role to play in protecting the environment by ensuring that they avoid engaging in activities that can negatively affect the natural habitats,” declared Sakupapa.
As the present generation faces ever-worsening climate change and environmental injustice, especially on African soil, the consultation was a timely gathering of youth delegates from various African member churches to share fresh and innovative ideas aimed at combating localised challenges brought on by climate change, and addressing global warming, ultimately empowering them to transform into local agents of change and advocates for climate justice.
The youth delegates, in response to Sakupapa’s emphasis on the church’s role in creation care, reflected deeply upon their churches’ current ecological policies, exploring and discussing possible improvements. Another objective of the event was also the development of an environmental campaign that aimed to be funded by MCI (Member Church Initiatives).
At the same time, the consultation took on a deeper and more significant meaning for the Africa region and beyond as it marked the beginning of the Global South’s foray in practical approaches to climate justice, even as it now finds its footing in developing policies for churches to influence broader governmental policies on environmental justice.
In the garden
The young delegates also visited FJKM’s Ivato Theological Seminary, where they were given an on-the-ground demonstration of the practicality of a localised, communal ecological initiative.
The programme educates Malagasy people about native and exotic tree species that can be planted in Madagascar. A vegetable and fruit farm was also established that currently provides food for the seminary, with commercialisation plans in the pipeline.
As a mark of the visit by CWM and as a symbol of inter-organisational solidarity, a palm tree was planted on the seminary campus by Rev. Daimon Mkandawire, CWM Mission Secretary for Ecology and Economy and the Africa Region.
Mkandawire, who is no stranger to the ill effects of environmental injustice, urged young people at the end of the visit to take bold and uncompromising action against climate injustices that they witness in their communities. At the same time, he also exhorted the church to speak out and lead the fight for environmental justice.
