Catholic Earthcare Australia, a program of Caritas Australia, held a youth summit on 13 September in Far North Queensland, to bring together young people in Australian schools to promote a sustainable and environmentally friendly future for Australia.
Fifty young leaders from across the Diocese of Cairns gathered in person to listen and engage in dialogue together about ecological justice and caring for our common home.
Taking inspiration from the Catholic Church Laudato Si’ movement in promoting the ideals of a shared commitment to stewardship of the earth, Catholic Earthcare Australia organises advocacy efforts, with the aim for protecting and caring for our shared home. The Caritas Australia Catholic Earthcare Network has grown to 275 schools & 70 parishes across Australia.
“We gathered in one of the most beautiful places in the world to listen to guest speakers and engage in dialogue about the importance of not only caring for our common home, and also the link between strong connection to traditional First Nation culture which helps us to stay connected to look after country,” said Sabrina Stevens, youth participation coordinator at Caritas Australia.
“We heard from the Aboriginal Carbon Foundation and the Australian Youth Climate Coalition who both gave inspiring talks about the urgency for climate action and climate justice that is in tune with traditional practices in community.”
Catholic Earthcare is a meeting place and common platform for ideas so that together we can make a difference. The Catholic Earthcare Schools program is growing with over 140 registered schools across Australia, with a robust support of the parish program.
“It was a wonderful day with our young leaders who I hope will go back to their schools and inspire those around them. I am definitely looking forward to working with the young leaders from the Cairns Diocese again.”
Catholic Earthcare Australia encourages students to part in their schools’ Laudato Si’ journey and encourages young people and those around them to respond to the personal call to care for our common home.
With thanks to Caritas Australia and Catholic Earthcare Australia.
