Dear Friends,
Happy Feast of St. Francis of Assisi! Happy World Animal day!
African Ministers of Environment gathered in Nairobi a few weeks ago, for the 7 th special session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN). The theme of the meeting was “Turning Environmental Policies into Action through Innovative Solutions.” Earlier in September, the same venue hosted the Africa Animal Welfare Conference, whose theme was “ People, Animals and Planet: One Health, One Welfare.” I think that, without mentioning his name, these meetings were in fact, following in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi, whose Feast Day we and all who work for peace, and care of our common home, celebrate today. In the encyclical Laudato Si, Pope Francis reminds us that “ Saint Francis is the example par excellence of care for the vulnerable and of an integral ecology, lived out joyfully and authentically. He shows us just how inseparable the bond between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace.” This bond that Pope Francis speaks about is at the core of our mission at CYNESA.
It is for this reason that we chose this day to share with you our report for the year 2017. It is our attempt to share with you, how we have walked in the footsteps of St. Francis, through our own stories. We hope they will inspire you, just as much as they challenge us to reflect how we can deepen even more, our commitment towards a sustainable and integral development – and our relationship with our common home. Asante sana for your continued support and prayer! Laudato Si!
Allen Ottaro,
Founding Executive Director,
CYNESA.
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