Application is closed. You will learn more about the program on the LWF Youth blog.
Youth for Eco-Justice
26 November - 10 December 2011 Glenmore Pastoral Center, Durban, South Africa
“Youth for Eco-Justice” is a transformational training program for young change-makers in churches, faith-based organizations and networks worldwide organized by the World Council of Churches and the Lutheran World Federation. It starts with a two-week training and immersion in the context of the international climate change negotiations (COP 17) in Durban, South Africa. In the months following the seminar the participants will initiate and implement projects in their home context on a volunteer basis.
Youth for a just and sustainable future
Christian communities are increasingly concerned about the ecological crisis and the way humanity is treating God’s Earth. Planet Earth is in peril and creation is suffering.
At the same time, we are seeing more and more clearly the links between the ecological crisis and socio-economic justice.
Eco-Justice for Youth aims to equip young Christians as “multipliers” for eco-justice, by studying and unfolding the complex links between environmental issues and socio-economic structures and processes. Participants will receive training and participate in the civil society activities of the 17th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties (UNFCCC COP 17) in Durban, South Africa.
The program of Youth for Eco-Justice will include:
- Theological and biblical studies - Workshops and meetings with experts - Training sessions on communication,
campaigning, and project management - Development of resources and activities for promoting eco-justice at the local, national,
and international level - Cultural and artistic activities - Common prayer - Active participation in ecumenical and civil
society activities in the context of the COP
17 in Durban, South Africa - Accompaniment of follow-up activities
Water and climate in a globalized world
Both global warming and conflicts over Earth’s water resources are related to unsustainable and inequitable local and global patterns of production and consumption. Those suffering most from the consequences are the impoverished and vulnerable communities of the global South.
How can patterns of global production and consumption be designed to be both sustainable and just?
How can communities be empowered as competition and conflicts over water, food, and land increase?
And how can young Christians with their networks and churches make a difference?
In the context of the current debate about climate change, “sustainable development” and “Green Economy” these are some of the questions that we need to address to promote environmental and social justice in the face of the ecological crisis.
Eco-Justice – What is that?
The “eco” prefix comes from the Greek word Oikos for “house” and is part of the etymological roots of economy and ecology, but also ecumenism. In linking environmental and social justice issues the environmental justice approach, “eco-justice” in short, challenges both humanity’s destruction of the earth and the abuse of economic and political power which result in poor people having to suffer the effects of environmental damage.The biblical prophets had long ago deduced this intrinsic connection between ecological crises and socio-economic injustice, railing against the elites of their day for the exploitation of peoples and the destruction of ecosystems:
Judah mourns, her cities languish; they wail for the land, and a cry goes up from Jerusalem.
The nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns but find no water.
They return with their jars unfilled; dismayed and despairing, they cover their heads.
The ground is cracked because there is no rain in the land; the farmers are dismayed and cover their heads.
Even the doe in the field deserts her newborn fawn because there is no grass. (Jeremiah 14: 2-5, NIV)
How to apply
Participants are young Christians between 18 and 30 years with:
a strong commitment to their church or community
a strong interest in eco-justice and experience in this field
leadership and communication skills
time and commitment to initiate and implement a follow-up activity on a voluntary bases in the first half of 2012
a good knowledge of English.
If you wish to apply, please fill in the application form which is available at www.oikoumene.org or www.lwfyouth.org. We strongly encourage you to use the online application form. However, you can also use the print form and send it by e- mail, fax, or post to the address mentioned in the application form.
The postmark deadline for the acceptance of applications is 15 August 2011.
Participants who are accepted into the program will be notified by end of August. Please note that due to the limited number of participants, not all well-qualified applicants can be guaranteed a place in the program.
Financial support
If you are selected for the program the World Council of Churches and LWF Youth Together will provide for your board, lodging, local transportation in Durban and travel insurance during the time of the program. Participants will also receive a limited amount of pocket money.
Travel costs to and from Durban are to be covered by the participant, except in cases where a subsidy is granted. All participants who are granted a travel subsidy are expected to make a cash contribution – within their capacity – towards travel expenses. The contribution can be a combination of funds from yourself, your church, parish, organization etc. If you apply for a travel subsidy you must indicate the amount you are ready to contribute.
Who we are
Youth for Eco-Justice is a collaboration between the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the World Council of Churches (WCC).
The WCC has a long tradition of addressing the links between “Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation”. Today, this approach is applied and updated in regard to some of the most urgent global challenges by the WCC’s programmatic work on eco-justice:
Ecumenical Water Network: Promoting the preservation, responsible management and equitable distribution of water for all.
Care for Creation and Climate Justice: Accompanying churches on care for creation and advocating for climate justice at the United Nations fora.
Poverty, Wealth, and Ecology: Promoting creative and sustainable ways to use global wealth to eradicate poverty.
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has been active in addressing theological questions on climate change. The member churches and the LWF country programs also support numerous local communities to adapt to climate change.
In LWF together – the earth needs you, more than 100 youth groups in 45 countries collaborate globally and address eco-justice with concrete activities (lwfyouth.org).
[...] LWF Youth Blog The blog of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Youth Desk. Young adults from around the world write about youth ministry and events, about their life, faith and justice. 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Because the youths are agents of change, therefore this programme (eco-justice ) is divine to both the church and the society.
1.patternof global production&consumption can be sustainable&just only if we involve the vulnerable communities in designing it and listen to their views,because the ones who shoulder the problem knows the solution best but have difficulties on how to impliment it.
2.After God created everything he said it was beautiful,as young christians we have a duty to sustain this beauty by helping the communities to understand the importance of conserving the enviroment, and bring change.
I believe that programme will really help many young people to think about the future of their country and educate their people. My country is currently going through alot of changes due to mining and petroleum boom and that brought alot of environment issues in which people find it hard to solve. Investors are using money to suppress them in speaking out. We also expreince rise in sea level since we are located in the tropical. Alot of our smaller islands are begining to sink. Therefore, that porgramme will help many of us to bring positive changes by encouraging sustainable developments
The rains have just started pouring in and the streets are flooded, homes and properties are being swept away. eco-justice is very timely, but i am 33 yrs old, guess i can’t participate, but will be very glad to. what other ways can we help?
is this open to non-lutheran christains who also share a common passion for sustainable development?
Yes, since it is organized both by the World Council of Churches and the Lutheran World Federation, it is open also to non-Lutherans… We are looking forward to your application!
I am a Masters degree student on climate change in Nigeria and not a lutheran, this initiative is very timely, can i attend the training? is there any scholarship regarding flight tickets for students that can not afford the flight fairs? Many thanks for your swift response
Sure, because it is done jointly with the world Council of Churches, you are free to apply if you have a church connection. Please use the online form at the top of the page.
This program will be a very active one as it will give young people the way forward on good stewardship..Environmental degradation, soil erosion, water and river pollution, biological and ecological disturbances are eminent in Tropical countries. Therefore, this program initiated by the church, I believe will greatly bestow important and significant knowledge and skills to environmental protection to young people..Please emphasis on youths in tropical developing countries to participate…It’s worth something knowledgeable…
Hola amigos del CMI y FLM!
Quisiera preguntarles si pueden participar personas que no tienen un buen conocimiento del ingles, y cual es el porcentaje minimo que debe aportar el joven para su mantencion en Durban.
Gracias por su pronta respuesta,
Pilar
Por desgracia, vamos a tener sólo un pequeño grupo de Durban. Por lo tanto, no es posible proporcionar servicios de interpretación. Eso significa que todos participan tienen que ser capaces de comunicarse en Inglés.
OK, GRACIAS. NOS GUSTARIA RECIBIR INFORMACION SOBRE ESTE IMPORTANTE TEMA DE ECO-JUSTICIA AMBIENTAL, Y PODER UNIRNOS A ESTE MOVIMIENTO, YA QUE VIDA ABUNDANTE (www.vida-abundante.net), PROMUEVE LA RED DE JOVENES CRISTIANOS POR IGLESIAS COMPROMETIDAS CON SU MEDIO AMBIENTE (REDIME). REDIME HA EMPEZADO SU TRABAJO CON 10 IGLESIAS DE LIMA Y PUCALLPA, DONDE LOS JOVENES SENSIBILIZAN Y PROMUEVEN CAMBIOS A FAVOR DEL MEDIO AMBIENTE. NUESTRO LINK ES:
http://www.facebook.com/redimev
COMO PODRIAMOS HACER?
PILAR
i think it is a great initiative by to have the church educating towards saving the world and taking responsibility
hope it goes well here are some resources from the church of Bangladesh http://www.cbsdp.org/pub.htm
hello everyone. I was checking the website and I´m so sorry to see this wonderful opportunity so late. I´v been working on eco-justice for more than 5 years in Colombia, south America, and I´d be really interested to participate. I know it´s already closed but would there be any chance to apply? Thanks for your time and for offering such a amazing opportunity.
Hi Gloria, It is great to hear from you! However, the application time is really closed. But please stay connected. There are more opportunities coming up.
Roger