Integrity of Creation Official in Kenya Emphasises Value of “ecological literacy” among Young People

“Our parish hosts a variety of environmental activities throughout the year, including Youth Environmental Day, Pontifical Missionary Children (PMC) Environmental Day, and Women's Environmental Day,” he explained.

These programs, he emphasized, are designed not only to educate but also to actively engage the community in sustainable practices, from tree planting and waste management campaigns to workshops on renewable energy and conservation strategies.

By involving youth, women, and parish members at large, the Congolese member of the Oblate of Mary Immaculate (OMI) said that the church seeks to instill a culture of environmental stewardship that begins with knowledge and awareness.

“Environmental literacy is crucial; we cannot act to protect the environment unless we first understand it,” emphasized Fr. Daquin, who is also a member of the OMI General Service of JPIC committee.

The one-day event that the Laudato Si Movement (LSM) organized alongside the December 8–12 UNEA 7 assembly focused on the theme, “Faith in Action for an Accelerated and Inclusive Renewable Energy Transition.”

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Bringing together delegates from various faith groups across the African continent, the event sought to reiterate and bolster the stance of the faith groups on the need to act swiftly on the transition to clean energy in Africa.

The event was built on the faith groups’ commitment that calls for an energy transition grounded in the principles of integral ecology and inclusive participation.

Other topics deliberated at the event included the implications of the COP30 outcomes for the continent's renewable energy transition, setting the stage to hold decision-makers accountable for translating COP30 commitments into tangible action during and after UNEA-7 discussions.

In his December 9 remarks, Fr. Daquin said that the ecological literacy for the young people should also be accompanied with an ethical dimension that questions the cause of environmental chaos, which he said depends on the environment.

“We celebrate human progress, but we ignore moral authority that should accompany human progress,” he said, and added, “we need to help people to really intentionally integrate that ethical dimension of care for the environment.”

Fr. Daquin said that value-based education is also necessary for the young people to understand the “moral framework of how to respect the so-called human dignity.”

“When we are able to respect human dignity, how we interrelate with one another when it comes to nature, we will be able also to respect it,” said the Catholic Priest who also serves as the VIVAT International Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) contact person to United Nation Environmental Program (UNEP).

He cautioned against disunity among faith actors in educating the youths, saying, “when we divide ourselves, teaching young people to become tribal when they are five, six years old, I don't think that we will be able to protect the nature of the environment.”

On transitioning from fossil fuel to renewable energy, Fr. Daquin said that energy is a social reality as it shapes how families eat, learn, work, communicate, and live with dignity.

Further describing energy as “survival”, he urged the faith actors at the event, “we have a role in shaping values, building trust, and mobilizing collective political action.”

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He called for a justice transition to renewable energy describing it as a people-centered transition that prioritizes dignity and the rights of social needs.

Fr. Daquin said that designing energy solutions around human state realities, ensuring solar systems and water pumps serve the poorest households.

“Faith communities play a unique role. What does this mean? Faith mobilization brings trust, social cohesion, and long-term presence. How does this lead? Our parishes model renewable energy,” he said.

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.