Victoria University supports Green World Youth Day

After a series of meetings and consultations, Ms. Selvi Kannan, Events Management Lecturer of Victoria University (VU) committed to take up the Green World Youth Day (GWYD) Program as a project of her students. Seeing potential and importance in talking about water and the need for international solidarity, she encouraged the Green World Youth Day management team to articulate the daily events of the program.

Last Wednesday, February 27, 2008 the Green World Youth Day International Volunteers met Selvi's class and did a general presentation at VU-Sunbury Campus. Afterward, they also met with the marketing team of the same university. After the team's presentation, they commented that the activity is very relevant because it is Green, youthful and international. These are the reasons why VU would very much like to be a part of it.

Climate Challenge Prayer

God, Creator and Sustainer,
free us from ignorance about your gift of Earth.
Inspire us to act together in respect for your gift and change our ways as we
relate to Earth's rhythms with humility.
May we welcome the truth when scientists speak of climate change, and
reject false pathways designed to confuse.
At this point in history, help us to urge our politicians to take moral decisions and urgent action in negotiating sustainable living.
Ground all our thoughts in your revealing Scriptures and the wisdom of holy women and men who have gone before us to help build the
new creation as followers of your Cosmic Son.
Give us a discerning spirit to work with the ecological and the human,
the social and the economic realities of this world, and instill in us a spirit of respect and compassion able to imagine pathways of harmony.
Amen.


Prepared by Fr Charles Rue
Coordinator Columban JPIC Australia

Aussie mining companies again

Oxfam Australia CEO Andrew Hewett has another article today lambasting Australian mining companies for their lack of conscience in their overseas developments.

"There are, unfortunately, too many examples of Australian mining companies being associated with environmental damage, complicity in human rights abuse and allegations of corruption," Hewett writes.

"A pattern emerges: communities in Papua New Guinea continue to live with the devastating practice of disposing of mine waste into valuable waterways still used at Ok Tedi and by Emperor Mines at Tolukuma; Congolese community members are considering legal action against Anvil after deadly military suppression; and an independent investigation by The Age recently confirmed that 'irregular offers' were made by Climax Mining (now OceanaGold) when it was seeking local government approvals in the Philippines.

"In each case, the activities of Australian companies have been brought into question," Hewett says.

He proposes that Australia should set up acomplaints mechanism for overseas communities harmed by the activities of some Australian-owned mine operators would be an initiative to help generate greater accountability.

Green WYD- a dream made possible

January 26, 2008, St. Albans. The Holy Eucharist Green World Youth Day Team came together to share dreams and plans for the World Youth Day program in July this year. Bro. Gerard Brady, a Christian Brother patiently accompanied the group in their day of reflection and planning.

Sr. Catherine Tay, a Chaplain of Victoria University generously welcomed the group to her community house. She told everyone to have a good time and help themselves to the food she prepared.

Most of those who came expressed the need to reflect and meditate upon the spiritual impact of the preparations. They also acknowledged the importance of offering a space for young people to take a closer look on the environment during the World Youth Day. With enthusiasm, they promised to do their best to make the stay of the Green World Youth Day participants possible.

The youngest of the groups urged everyone to become more pro-active in inviting parishioners to join the activity or to host young people to their houses.

After the day, everyone left with more work to do. They were quite tired but happy looking forward to what they will do.

Widening of solidarities

January 15-19, 2008 - Sydney, Australia. We were welcomed in the best of circumstance and hospitality by the Karen community based in Australia. In such a big city wherein most of the energies of the friends we knew in Sydney were poured into the World Youth Day preparations this July, the Karens were unaffected. They still look upon those days as moments of receiving young people from all over.

We want to make use of the space and opportunity for training and interaction with other young people... We can do it if we are together and we cooperate in this program... Words that can sum up their will to do a post WYD program with the youth. Most of them were leaders in their own rights while they were yet at home. They also found their own ways of continuing their service to other people through their own organisation.

Some of the new arrivals found it difficult to speak English. It is a struggle to find jobs in this context. However, one can truly feel the cohesion of the group. They found a way to support one another. They come to a new country because it is not possible for them to live in safety in their own place and people...

In four days, we met a mixture of people. People with a big heart to accomodate the other. They are the kind who understands our need to care for the earth and look at the young as partners in development.

Scottish eco-congregations flourish

Ekklesia reports that "eco-congregations" are booming in the UK and particularly in Scotland.

In Scotland there are currently 172, with a total of 270 in England.

But given the small population of Scotland, this represents "a huge level of commitment in Scotland", Ekklesia says.

The term ‘eco-congregation’ is awarded to churches that have made a commitment to address environmental issues systemically through worship, programmes, the management of church property, outreach and community action.

More climate change warnings

The warnings continue on the potentially disastrous effects of climate change.

British conservationists warned last week that global warming could be "catastrophic" for European birds by wrecking their habitat.

They warn that three-quarters of Europe's nesting birds are likely to see their ranges shrink by the end of the century.

More seriously, scientists in India fear a probability of 10 to 40 per cent loss in crop production in the country due to the anticipated rise in temperature by 2080-2110.

Plus more concern about melting in Greenland. "We attribute significantly increased Greenland summer warmth and ice melt since 1990 to global warming," researchers write in a recent article in the Journal of Climate.

However, all is not yet lost. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report last year highlights "the importance of lifestyle changes," says Rajendra Pachauri, the panel's head.

Even simple things like eating less meat, using a bike instead of a car for short trips can all help, Pachauri says.