MYANMAR: Salesians focus on the environment
Salesian Nazareth House in Anisakan holds meeting to promote social ecology
MYANMAR
(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Nazareth House in Anisakan, Myanmar, held a meeting on Dec. 26 to discuss social ecology and care for creation. The meeting brought together 55 people, including Salesians, youth, volunteers and house staff. The meeting was held in response to the call from Pope Francis in his 2020 Laudato Si, which has as its theme “Good Christians and Upright Citizens.”
Pope Francis underlined the importance of education and training that will help youth shape a lifestyle and foster environmental responsibility. Further, Rector Major Father Ángel Fernández Artime noted the importance of concrete initiatives in the care of the environment. The first objective is encouraging the environmental commitment of youth.
Salesian missionaries in Myanmar and around the globe have an ongoing focus on the environment. Many have joined the Don Bosco Green Alliance, an international collective of youth from Salesian institutions and organizations that contribute to global environmental action, thought and policy. Launched in April 2018 in India, the Alliance has 273 registered members from 56 countries. Membership is open to all Salesian institutions and organizations worldwide.
“The Don Bosco Green Alliance is an important part of our Salesian youth ministry today,” said Father Savio Silveira, the convener of the Alliance. “Young people feel very strongly about the environmental crisis since they understand the impact it has on their lives and their future. Accompanying young people as they seek solutions to environmental issues has to be an aspect of our youth ministry.”
Don Bosco Green Alliance members work to create an environment that is safe and caring for all life on the planet while building up a new generation of environmentally committed citizens and leaders. The Alliance’s priorities are combating pollution, reducing global warming and eliminating disposable plastics. In each of these areas, it aims to partner with ongoing global campaigns promoted by UN Environment or other international organizations.
Members of the Alliance have also undertaken such initiatives as environmental education to increase green areas and planting trees, the reduction of the use of nondegradable materials, promotion of organic agriculture and home gardens, preservation and conservation of water, and increasing the use of renewable energy sources.
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Sources:
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ANS – Myanmar – A meeting to raise awareness of social ecology
