Laudato Youth Initiative: Rebranding African Wisdom for Climate Action

The Laudato Youth Initiative to present a groundbreaking paper at the Laudato Si Africa Conference (LSAC 2025) . Entitled “What is ‘Integral’ About Integral Ecology in the African Worldview? Stories of Young African Voices Advocating for Ecological Conversion” at the Conference, organized by the Bethany Land Institute, Nandere, Uganda, from July 23-25, 2025. Entitled: 10 Years After Laudato Si’: Where is Africa? An interdisciplinary conference at BLI to discuss the progress made in Integral Ecology & Human Development.  Learn more from the event organisers

In alignment with our mission, the Laudato Youth Initiative will present this groundbreaking paper to spark interest in an African conceptual framework for understanding and integrating the wisdom embedded in our stories; such as that of the Uganda Martyrs ie (St. Adolf Ludigo Patron of hards men and farmers) etc.. as a means of advancing the application of Laudato Si’ as an expression of integral ecology. This approach draws on Catholic Social Teaching, Ugandan environmental law, and indigenous wisdom traditions to offer a holistic and culturally grounded interpretation of ecological responsibility.

The year 2025 marks the tenth anniversary of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical that offers a prophetic and urgent call to care for our common home. While notable progress has been made over the past decade, significant work remains to fully realize the encyclical’s bold and holistic vision of integral ecology. In response to this ongoing challenge, the Laudato Youth Initiative is mentoring a new generation of African youth leaders by revitalizing indigenous knowledge systems, research and innovation, wisdom traditions, and storytelling. These culturally and spiritually grounded approaches serve as transformative tools for ecological education and the transmission of values essential to sustainable development.

Our initiative seeks to bridge the intergenerational gap by bringing together youth and elders around a metaphorical fire creating a shared space to confront the urgent climate crisis. As our mentor, Br. Adolf, affirms, this mission integrates faith-based values, African cultural heritage, and intergenerational dialogue to cultivate climate leadership deeply rooted in community and spirituality uniting young people for Climate Action engrained in the African Interpretation of Laudato Si. We need young people to be aware of What is happening to our common home ?

Our presentation will highlight the Ubuntu philosophy—a principle of unity, interdependence, and shared humanity embodied in our motto: “United for Climate Action.” Our unique contribution will focus on storytelling, particularly the wisdom of elders and the lived experiences of those affected by climate change. We present storytelling as a powerful tool for fostering ecological conversion, strengthening cultural resilience, and advancing environmental justice within the framework of the conference theme.

Our Shared Humanity

“Stories of Young African Voices Advocating for Ecological Conversion” What does ‘Integral Ecology’ mean within the African Worldview?

“We have to realize that a true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment,

so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.” – Laudato Si’, #49

Presenters

Sarah and Augustine: Laudato Youth Initiative (LYI)

Laudato Green Pilgrimages 2025: Pilgrims of Green Hope – A Jubilee Year Initiative

We welcome partnerships to amplify our impact. If you are passionate about environmental stewardship and youth-led climate climate change mitigation, reach out to us at laudatoyouthinitiative@gmail.com. Together, let’s honor our African heritage, embrace the wisdom of our elders, and build a sustainable future grounded in faith and cultural resilience.