The Laudato Youth Initiative is empowering a new generation of young leaders by revitalizing African wisdom and storytelling as transformative tools for transmitting values.

This initiative seeks to bridge the generational gap, uniting youth and elders around a shared metaphorical fire to address the urgent climate crisis. As Br. Adolf, our mentor, highlights, this effort integrates faith values, African cultural wisdom, and intergenerational insights to foster meaningful climate action.

In line with our mission, the Laudato Youth Initiative will present an inspiring paper at the Laudato Si Africa Conference (LSAC 2025). The conference will focus on developing an African conceptual framework for understanding Laudato Si, Catholic social teaching on the environment, and Ugandan environmental laws through the lens of indigenous wisdom. Our presentation will emphasize the Ubuntu philosophy, which embodies unity and is reflected in our motto: “United for Climate Action.” Our niche will center on storytelling—particularly the wisdom of elders—as a vital means of promoting ecological conversion under the theme:

“Stories of Young African Voices Advocating for Ecological Conversion”

Laudato Si Africa Conference (LSAC 2025)

• Theme: Stories of Young African Voices Advocating for Ecological Conversion
• Conceptual Framework: What does ‘Integral Ecology’ mean within the African Worldview?
• Presenters:
  • Augustine Bahemuka – Research Editor, Laudato Youth Initiative
  • Sarah Kirikumwino – President, Laudato Si Club
• Location: Bethany Land Institute, Uganda
• Dates: July 23-25, 2025

In conjunction with the conference, Bethany Land Institute will host a 10-day Ecological Pilgrimage under its Sowing Hope Project. This transformative experience will take participants to culturally and historically significant sites, including:

• Shrine of the Uganda Martyrs
• A Game Park
• The Source of the Nile

This pilgrimage will provide a deeper understanding of Uganda’s rich socio-cultural heritage and its ecological significance.

Pilgrim of Green Hope: A Jubilee Year Initiative

This initiative aligns with Laudato Youth’s Jubilee Year theme, “Pilgrim of Green Hope,” launched in January 2025. It includes ecological and spiritual pilgrimages, visits to sustainable industries like Kiira Motors, and advocacy efforts in climate-affected areas such as Kasese (flood-prone regions) and Kitezi (landfills). These experiences have sparked grassroots climate actions such as:

• Community clean-ups
• Awareness-raising art projects
• Documentaries on climate change realities

Through storytelling, the Laudato Youth Initiative aims to empower young individuals to document sustainability journeys and craft impactful narratives that inspire future leaders, cultural influencers, and faith-based organizations to collaborate in addressing climate change.

Laudato Green Pilgrimages 2025

• January 3: Green Pilgrimage to Queen Elizabeth National Park (Reflecting on Uganda as the “Pearl of Africa” that must be protected)
• January 8: Pilgrimage to Lake Saaka (Experiencing sacred spiritual silence and ecological reflection)
• January 12: Pilgrimage to St. Adolf Holy Cross Parish (Visiting the Reconciliation Gardens)
• February 17: Youth Mentor Pilgrimage to Assisi (Reflecting on the inspiration of St. Francis of Assisi, Patron of Ecology)
• February 17: Spiritual Pilgrimage to Blessed Carlo Maria Major Shrine (For youth in media and communications)

These events provide young people with opportunities to engage in faith-based environmental advocacy, redefine climate action narratives, and foster meaningful conversations about climate, culture, and social responsibility.

Join Us in the Movement!

The Laudato Youth Initiative welcomes partnerships to amplify our impact. If you are passionate about environmental stewardship and youth-led climate advocacy, 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.