Dear Friends,

This month has been truly momentous for all of us at CYNESA. It was a great honour, and an immense responsibility, to be invited to speak at the International Conference on the Third Anniversary of Laudato Si, held at the Vatican, July 5^th to 6^th.

Sharing a panel with young leaders from India, the Amazon, Australia and Spain, who in their own unique ways, are answering the of Laudato Si, left me even more inspired to go the extra mile in growing and deepening the CYNESA mission. You all, our dear partners, team members, friends and mentors, colleagues and supporters, continue to be at the heart of spurring our mission. And in my heart, I brought all of you with me to the Vatican -  I prayed for you in thanksgiving – and brought greetings and a word of gratitude to the Holy Father when I had the opportunity to greet him at the audience for conference participants.

Let us continue journeying together in our pilgrimage of caring for our common home. Laudato Si.

Allen Ottaro,
Founding Executive Director,
CYNESA.

Representing Europe was Laura Menendez from Manos Unidas, Spain, while Delio Siticonatzi from the Pueblo Ashaninca in the Amazon, spoke on behalf of young indigenous. Australian Polar explorer, Jade Hameister, and Macson Almeida from the Don Bosco Green Alliance in India, representing Oceania and Asia respectively. The important task of speaking on behalf of young people from Africa was assigned to CYNESA Founder and Executive Director, Allen Ottaro. 

CYNESA participated in the 2018 World Environment Day events in a number of locations across sub-Saharan Africa. In Kenya the WED celebrations were held at the Kwale Baraza Park in Kwale County, in the coastal region of Kenya.