Laudato Si’ Animators with World Council of Churches representatives in Cali
The United Nations Conference on Biodiversity (COP16) is taking place in Cali, Colombia, between October 21 and November 1. There, Laudato Si’ Movement’s local Chapter is leading spaces for reflection, dialogue and engagement. The Holy Spirit is guiding our leaders to obtain positive results at the end of this conference.
LSM members in the Blue Zone
With people from all around the world coming together to dream a better future for our common home, COP16 is “a Noah’s ark, a Pentecost,” says Alirio Caceres Aguirre, advocacy assistant for Latin America and the Caribbean, present in Cali. With the leadership of LSM’s Colombia chapter and others, the halls of the conference space are full of prayer. People of all faiths are praying daily, inviting the Spirit to illuminate the discussions.
The spirit is being reflected in the leadership of many peoples: “The wisdom of Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendants and farmers is being made visible.” These leaders bring deep expertise in living within and alongside creation without damaging it. A significant percentage of the world’s remaining biodiversity is stewarded by Indigenous people, and those who live closely with creation offer invaluable perspective.
What is the LSM delegation doing?
- LSM has a stand at the Archdiocese of Cali’s Integral Ecology Initiatives Exhibition, where it receives hundreds of people daily. [insert image here]
- An event organized by Stop Ecocide and LSM was held at the InterFe Pavilion in the Blue Zone, with the participation of Laudato Si’ Animators from Kenya, the United States, Brazil and Colombia.
- There will be four Film Forums for the movie “The Letter”, one of them as part of the official Green Zone Agenda (see how to participate below).
- LSM contributed to the drafting of three technical advocacy documents:
- With the Catholic Committee for COP16, “The Laudate Deum Route: Ecclesial Foundations. The Catholic Church in Latin America and the Caribbean at COP16” was developed;
- private text for the Holy See with “Contributions of the Catholic Church in Latin America and the Caribbean on the Laudate Deum Route to the COP”;
- Together with the Interfaith Spirituality Platform, a document was presented to the COP16 President in the Green and Blue Zones.
- In addition, as part of the Spirituality Platform, MLS has contributed to the development of the COP16 agenda, highlighting:
- The Blue Flag award for Interfaith PreCOP16, for meeting the parameters of a sustainable event, with an Environmental Committee composed mostly of Laudato Si’ Animators.
- The free interfaith virtual diploma course that will certify more than 500 “Artificers of Peace with Nature”.
- The COP16 prayer campaign, in which people can participate from anywhere in the world
Are you in Calí? Check out these activities for the next few days
- Talk: Criminalization of environmental defenders. Organized by REMAM + Caritas El Salvador. October 29th at noon at Banco de Occidente – Salón Café.
- Film forum with screenings of “The Letter”
- October 31 at 12:45 p.m. at the Cali Cultural Center Auditorium. Cra. 5 # 6-05. Cali. Registration at: proco16.com/?ok
- November 1, from 6 to 8:45 p.m., at the La Tertulia Museum Cinemateca. Colombia Avenue No. 5-105 West. Cali.
- November 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Aytona – Cali Carmelitas Misioneras. Carrera 111 # 18 170 Ciudad Jardín Cali.
- Closing Ceremony of the Diploma Course “Artificers of Peace with Nature”. On October 31 at 4 pm at the Cali Chamber of Commerce, Sala Múltiple 2. Address: Calle 8 # 3-14, San Pedro. .
For more information about the activities, please email [email protected] or [email protected]