Uniting for Climate Action: Caritas Organizations in Southeast Asia
Representatives from various Caritas organizations in Southeast Asia gathered in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from July 8 to 11 to develop a unified approach to tackling climate change.
The event, themed “South-East Asia Regional Climate Change Response Framework,” was organized by Caritas Australia and included participants from Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Cambodia, the Philippines, and other local partners.
During the four-day workshop, participants worked towards establishing strategic directions, securing donor support, and fostering government cooperation to implement action plans addressing the needs of the most vulnerable populations affected by climate change.
Guided by reflections on creation, human dignity, and environmental stewardship, following the principles of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato si’, the participants focused on understanding each other’s visions and missions to develop a joint climate change response plan at regional and national levels.
The workshop was opened by Father Enrique Figaredo, SJ, Apostolic Prefect of Battambang and Chairman of Caritas Cambodia, who called for a long-term vision, compassionate action, and humble service in addressing climate change. He emphasized the Church’s commitment to charity, solidarity with the poor, and the promotion of fraternity and equity.
On the closing day, Jing Rey Henderson, Head of the National Ecology Program of Caritas Philippines, praised the Church’s efforts in ecological protection in Southeast Asia. She highlighted the workshop’s value in providing actionable insights for implementation in their home countries.
Ms. Nay Vichheka, Manager of the Development Department of Caritas Cambodia, expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the workshop, noting the valuable exchanges of technical experiences and operational methods that took place. She voiced hope for the development of a comprehensive plan to address climate-related challenges across the region.
Joseph Kodamanchaly, Caritas Australia’s Asia Regional Advisor, stressed the importance of collective action in addressing the region’s climate challenges. He emphasized the need to bring everyone together to plan and take joint action on the urgent issue of climate change in their respective countries and the region.
Caritas, with over 160 organizations globally, is dedicated to promoting human dignity and caring for the vulnerable and marginalized. This workshop exemplified the organization’s commitment to addressing climate change and its impact on the most vulnerable populations in Southeast Asia.
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