Press Release - Laudato Si Festival 2025 | Laudato Youth Initiative

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: June 28, 2025

Ms. Immaculate Kisembo

Laudato Si’ Club – Holy Cross Lake View S.S.S.

📧 laudatoyouthinitiative@gmail.com

📞 +256 701 571573

Holy Cross Lake View S.S.S. to Host 2025 Laudato Si’ Green Festival at Moreau Arena in Musiima, Jinja – Uganda

JINJA, UGANDA – July 19, 2025 Holy Cross Lake View Senior Secondary School, through its vibrant Laudato Si’ Club, and under the mentorship of the Laudato Youth Initiative, conduct its annual Laudato Si’ Green Festival on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the Moreau Arena on the school grounds in Musiima, Jinja. This year’s festival is themed “Sowing Seeds of Peace and Hope for Creation,” inspired by Isaiah 32:14-18 and commemorating the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical Laudato Si’. The theme echoes the profound call to restore peace, justice, and environmental harmony:

“Peace, justice and the preservation of creation are three absolutely interconnected themes.” – Laudato Si’, #84

A Festival Rooted in Faith, Ecology, Youth Mobilization and community engagement

The 2025 Green Festival aims to mobilize youth and communities to take bold, faith-driven climate action. Grounded in Catholic Social Teaching, Laudato Si’, and UN SDG 13 (Climate Action), the event will bring together students, educators, faith leaders, environmentalists, and the wider community for a day of celebration, learning, and environmental commitment.

Festival Highlights

1. Laudato Si’ Mass & Liturgical Celebration

A spiritually enriching Mass will open the festival, led by the school chaplaincy and animated by the Laudato Si’ Choir. The celebration will honor:

• The 10th Anniversary of Laudato Si’

• The Jubilee Year’s Laudato Youth Initiative message: Pilgrims of Green Hope

• Pray and celebrate the Ecological Legacy of Pope Francis

• Anticipate and pray for the season of Creation and our Country for Peace

Special features include a green offertory, liturgical dances, and youth prayers for peace and the planet.

2. Keynote Address – “Innovation for Agriculture”

Mr. Male Joseph will deliver an insightful address on climate-smart agriculture, emphasizing youth-led innovation and sustainable food systems for resilient livelihoods.

3. Ecological Knowledge Market

Participants will interact with organizations championing sustainability at the Interactive Knowledge booths

• Foresters HSE Consults – sharing expertise in environmental management and health safety solutions.

• John Paul II Justice and Peace Centre – Building A Just, Peaceful, And Sustainable Future

• Bethany Land Institute – Catholic Social Teaching in Action & Integral ecology

• Avail Group: Fruits of Faith Farm – Agriculture and Food security prime to our livelihoods organic Farming & Youth Engagement

4. Youth Eco-Innovation Exhibitions

Student-led projects showcasing climate solutions:

• “What Is Happening to Our Common Home?” – Anti-pollution awareness

• Smart Greenhouse Farming – Resilient food production

• Smart Dustbin & Smart Water Pump Systems – Tech for waste and water

• Regenerative Recycling Project – Creative upcycling & education

5. Tree Planting & Seedling Distribution

Over 1,000 indigenous and fruit trees will be planted or distributed to promote biodiversity, food security, and ecological restoration.

Why This Festival Matters

As climate change, pollution, and food insecurity escalate globally, our efforts and mobilizing youth-led activities is a beacon of hope and action. The festival serves to:

• Inspire environmental responsibility in youth, schools, and communities

• Mentor climate-resilient leaders through faith-based action

• Promote peacebuilding and interfaith collaboration

• Amplify youth voices in climate discourse

• Foster sustainable behavior change

• Encourage community-based ecological planning

• Support Pope Francis’ call for integrated ecological justice

Our Impact So Far

• 5,000+ trees planted across school and community landscapes

• Launched the Fr. Bob Hesse, C.S.C. Sustainability Project with 200+ trees

• Pioneered innovations in sustainability, eco-farming, and pollution education

• Featured in national youth climate exhibitions and Laudato Voices Magazine

• Led key activities at the 10th Laudato Si’ Anniversary at Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine

• Organized youth debates, poetry, and mental health campaigns linking inner peace and environmental well-being

A Call to Action

“There is no peace without respect for creation.” – Pope Francis

The 2025 Laudato Si’ Green Festival is more than a celebration it’s a growing an initiative that is shaping stewards of the future. Rooted in faith, hope, and sustainability, the event invites all youth, educators, communities, religious institutions, and corporations to join in sowing seeds of ecological justice and peace. Let us walk together, inspired by Laudato Si’, to care for our common home.

Background

Founded in 2023 by the Laudato Youth Initiative, the Green Festival began as a response to Pope Francis’ call for ecological conversion. Anchored in faith and community engagement, it connects our school club with schools, youth, and partners through Mass, talent showcases, exhibitions, art, innovation, and education promoting ecological spirituality and sustainable living. Is your school participating this year?