NAIROBI JUNE 7, 2016(CISA)-Franciscans Mother Earth Network has won the first ever Environmental Stewardship award for exemplary interfaith work in conservation of environment.
“I am humbled to receive this gift on behalf of Mother Earth Network and I take this as a motivation for others to do more for our mother earth, more still needs to be done, in togetherness we can make the world a better place,” said Fr Hermann Borg, Chairman, Mother Earth Network.
He challenged other interfaith groups to join hands in care for creation in order to do more in making our nature a safer home.
The award was presented to Mother Earth Network by Ambassador Mussie Hailu, the regional director United Religious Initiative – Africa during interfaith national environment day celebration at the AACC Desmond Tutu Centre, June 6 in Westlands, Nairobi.
In his address during the celebration, Amb Hailu said that United Religious Initiative – Africa was committed to provide a platform for the interfaith to connect with policy makers to care for environment and climate change mitigation.
“We are a bridge building organization and we will always provide such platform to form synergies and partnerships for the faiths,” he said.
The event was organized by United Religious Initiative – Africa in collaboration with UNEP, Mother Earth Network and Kenya Interfaith Network on Action for Environment on the theme “Role of Faith Based Organizations and Religious Leaders in Environmental Protection and fight against Illegal Wildlife Trade in Africa.”
Speaking during the same event Fr Charles Odira Kwanya, Chairman of Kenya Interfaith Network on Action for Environment called on interfaith and religious leaders “to step up and speak out on conservation issues affecting us more so touching on illegal wildlife trade.”
“Let’s use our platforms to talk about environmental issues affecting us, we have the power to change the world and make our environment better,” said Fr Odira.
The event was attended by other partners including, Edmond Rice Network, Chiromo Environmental Awareness club, Mount Kenya University, Climate Change Network Kenya, Justice Peace Integrity of Creation –Franciscans Africa, Catholic Youth Network On Environmental Sustainability, All African Conference Of Churches among the faiths present included the Bahai, Brama Kumaris,Hindu, PCEA, Catholic and the Shikh community.
