Laudato si- Center Uganda holds 2nd Symposium on Environmental Conservation

Following up on the theme for this year’s season of Creation, ‘To Hope and Act with Creation’ Laudato Si Center Uganda held its 2nd Annual Symposium on Environmental Conservation on Saturday, October 26th, 2024. The sub-theme for this event was; ‘Waste Management: Our Collective Responsibility.” The Season of Creation is an annual celebration observed by Christians worldwide from September 1st to October 4th. It is a time dedicated to prayer, reflection, and action to care for Mother Earth. During this period, the Church calls all people to reflect deeply on how our actions impact God’s creation and to consider how we can contribute to make a positive change.

This year, the symposium was purposed to raise public awareness about the importance of effective waste management at community levels. The symposium commenced with the Holy Sacrifice of Mass and what stood out was the Word brought in a nest, indicating the interconnectedness with nature.

While presiding over the celebration, His Lordship, Giuseppe Filippi, Bishop Emeritus of Kotido Diocese reminded all that the kingdom of God is a relationship. Noting that we are in a hopeless situation, Bishop Filippi told the gathering that the kingdom of God depends on each one of us. He urged everyone to listen to one another, support one another and encourage one another. He remarked that much as creation is suffering, there’s hope to regenerate creation.

He urged all to desist from selfish gains indicating that as long as we remain selfish, we will not cause any change. “The world doesn’t need us; but we cannot exist without the world. If we don’t do something, we cease to exist,” he stated. He concluded his reflection by calling upon everyone to think of sustainable ways; “we will be sustainable and the world will sustain us,” he reechoed.

Hon Lawrence Biyika Songa, the chairperson, Parliamentary Committee on Climate Change, urged all to take care of the environment since it is a life-supporting system. He called upon each one to explore the ardent need for climate action, and ecological sustainability, by turning waste into wealth. He further called upon having sustainable lifestyles to create a sustainable equitable future for Uganda.
The State Minister for Environment, Hon Beatrice Anywar, in her turn acknowledged the opportunity as a call to deepen our understanding in the role each one of us plays in caring for the earth. She made reference to the book of Genesis citing on the importance of co-creation.

She reminded all that change comes from the heart. “Let your heart talk to you; the change should start from your heart. Government actions alone cannot reduce the impact created by degradation. Communal action is what we need. This is a tangible expression of faith; walking in path of Hope and Faith from the heart.” She further reminded all that the Church is a beckon of moral leadership and that she has a unique responsibility to reach individuals.

There was also a panel discussion and showcase of innovative approaches to waste management and green cooking solutions for sustainable development. Moderated by Robert Ssebina, the panel of three; Ms. Maria Nakiganda, CEO & Founder of Recycle Pay Innovations, Paul Onyayowun, team leader of Christian Youth Missionary Group Kinawataka and Ms Maria Kiiza CEO & Founder of Smart Women in Environment and Development Organization, focused on finding solutions to wastes.

They cited challenges affecting the communities as; the culture of burning everything, lack of awareness and unsustainable consumption among other things. The panel suggested the creation of change agents that could start with every individual and reminded everyone to identify the opportunities in wastes by appreciating the RS; Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle.

There was a reminder of the effects of poor waste management as: poverty, flooding, diseases and arrests, etc. The event was graced by Rev Fr Lawrence Muwonge, Fr John Kennedy Onoba, the Executive Director, Laudato Si Center Comboni Uganda, Hon Nakakande Lillian, LC 5 Woman councilor, Nakawa Division, schools, the parishioners of Our Lady of Africa parish, Mbuya and numerous lovers of the environment.

By Akite Beatrice Wanyama