With the launch of the Global Year of Action as part of Caritas Internationalis’ global campaign Together We, national member organisations and partners have come together through an online event to endorse the campaign’s year-long “Tree of Life” letter-writing initiative to encourage concrete climate action to build a safer planet – our common home – for all.
In his opening remarks at the event, Archbishop Isao Kikuchi, President of Caritas Internationalis, emphasised the reality that the poorest and most vulnerable of our world unjustly “bear the brunt” of the challenges of the climate crisis we face. “Public awareness and participation in climate-related actions have, until now, fallen short of the necessary level,” said Archbishop Kikuchi.
After explaining the “Tree of Life” letter-writing initiative to promote public participation and engagement with climate action, Alfonso Apicella, Global Campaigns Manager at Caritas Internationalis, invited keynote speakers H.E. Madam Ambassador Annemieke Ruigrok, Dutch Ambassador to the Holy See, and Mario Mancini, President of Progettomondo (FOCSIV), to read aloud and endorse messages of commitment towards caring for our common home.
In caring for our common home through concrete climate actions, Mr. Apicella stated that environmental degradation is an “interconnected crisis” which should compel individuals to create a culture of encounter within our own communities as well as with decision-makers. “We are inviting people to simply write a message to leaders and decision-makers on how we can care for our common home together, with them, in a language and spirit of fraternal cooperation,” he shared.
The event concluded with words from Alistair Dutton, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis, who reiterated the fact that the poorest and most vulnerable people suffer “first and worst” the effects of climate change. He said each person, group and community should have a global sense of responsibility: “Please do get involved in keeping in touch with us, and keep feeding this sense of the Caritas family with all of our partners worldwide, as we look to try to increase the Together We movement that is actively working locally, all the way to internationally.”
To learn more please visit: https://togetherwebelong.caritas.org/