Kenya – Salesians at United Nations Environment Headquarters

(ANS – Nairobi) – On 4 June, a day prior to World Environment Day, a significant milestone was reached in our work in the field of integral ecology, with an important meeting being held between Salesians and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), at the headquarters in Nairobi. The Salesian delegation was led by Fr Savio Silveira, Coordinator of Integral Ecology in the Youth Ministry Sector.  He was accompanied by Fr Sahaya Selvam, former Director of Don Bosco Development Outreach Network, Kenya, and Mr Joseph Kamau, Project Officer at Don Bosco Tech Africa. The UNEP team at the meeting consisted of ten officials, representing various UNEP sectors of work.

The meeting began with Fr Silveira making a presentation on the Don Bosco Society and its work for young people across 138 countries. He stressed the importance being given by Don Bosco globally to addressing environmental issues, through its large number of educational and pastoral institutions. He highlighted the initiatives being taken by Don Bosco, which contribute significantly towards tackling the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.  Fr Silveira concluded his presentation by drawing attention to the good opportunity for Don Bosco and UNEP to work together, so as to achieve the United Nations’ environmental goals.

The various UNEP representatives then presented their specialized areas of work. These included, engagement with civil society organizations, youth working group, technical education and green skills, plastic pollution, ecosystems regenerations, faith-based organizations’ network, and women’s empowerment for environmental protection. The presentations were followed by a lively discussion on the different aspects where Don Bosco and UNEP could collaborate. 

Some of the key outcomes of the meeting were the possibility of Don Bosco being part of the UNEP Children and Youth Major Group, promoting the green skills programmes, participating in the next United Nations Environmental Assembly, and liking with the UNEP continental offices.  The meeting closed with a strong sense of enthusiasm and hope, that the synergy between Don Bosco and UNEP would bear significant results.

For the Salesian Congregation, integral ecology is now “a privileged field of educational and pastoral work” (GC29:64).  The Rector Major, Fr Fabio Attard, has emphasized in the Six Year Plan for the Congregation that “the Church’s commitment to integral ecology has been taken up by the Congregation and must be strengthened with a charismatically inspired vision” (AGC 446).  He has stressed the need for young people to play a leading role in all our ecological initiatives.  Engaging with UNEP is a step forward in enabling young people to play an active and effective role on a key global platform.