NSW students lead the way for ecological justice at Catholic Earthcare Youth Summit

5 December 2021
Image: Catholic Earthcare Australia/Supplied

 

Over 300 students, from 36 schools across the state, attended the NSW Catholic Earthcare Youth Summit on November 10. The event was hosted by Mount St Benedict College in Pennant Hills, Sydney, and attended by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta.

Catholic Earthcare Australia, a program of Caritas Australia, collaborated with students at Mount Saint Benedict College, Saint Scholastica’s College, Saint Mary Star of the Sea College and Stella Maris College to design and lead the one-day event, which covered environmental advocacy on the personal, community and international level.

“Our focus is always to empower students to advocate for and take action on ecological justice and sustainability,” said Sabrina Stevens, Caritas Australia’s Youth Coordinator.

“This year, the theme is: ‘from little things, big things grow’, which reflects how the youth summit is created by students, for students, with a view to develop their capacity to advocate for the future they want to see.”

Caritas Australia Youth Coordinator Sabrina Stevens (left). Image: Catholic Earthcare Australia/Supplied

“I’m excited to see so many young people who are invested in the future of our planet, and through these events, Catholic Earthcare supports young people to take leadership and take action to care for creation. It’s really thrilling to see students respond to the call to care for our common home and put in the time and effort to build an event like this.

“One of the highlights of the day for me was that the students had the opportunity to hear from COP26 representative, Ann Marie Brennan, because this means that they’re beginning to participate in the global conversation around the environment. This is a big step in starting to develop their skills as advocates for creation.”

The students also heard from Alicja Boruciuch from Young Christian Workers and Taabeia Ibouri and Katarina Kabiriera from the Sisters of Kiribati.

Catholic Earthcare Australia will continue to hold more youth summits in other states, and in the meantime, we are launching a new program called Earthcare Families, which is a great way to get involved in caring for creation.

Watch Bishop Vincent’s address to the Catholic Earthcare Youth Summit here.

Catholic Earthcare Australia is a program of Caritas Australia. For further information please contact Sue Martin on sue.martin@caritas.org.au or 0432 716 577.

With thanks to Catholic Earthcare Australia.

 

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