Educator Capacity Building: Train the Trainer: School Climate Advocacy, Empowerment & Interfaith Leadership Eco-Workshop
On Friday, 02 June 2023, at IQRAA Trust Centre in Bulwer, Durban, One Voice South Africa (OVSA) brought together 15 educators, 5 OVSA facilitators and one trainer for a workshop on climate advocacy and leadership. This educator capacity building, 4 - hour workshop, conducted and designed by Ms. Merylene Chitharai, focused on empowering educators to become eco-leaders to promote climate advocacy at their schools or teaching facilities.
Her presentations and discussions were focused on:
🍃 Understanding the current climate situation in relation
to mass globalization and excessive consumption as a consumer.
🍃 Relating to the Earth with a holistic perspective from
our grass root traditions by observing and changing habits.
🍃 Deepening our connection to the Earth for Interfaith
Peace and Unity by learning various faith and spiritual teachings from various religious
scriptures.
🍃 Developing climate positivity for the earth by turning
failures into success through positive leadership.
🍃 Understanding the importance of Youth Climate Advocacy
for today’s world.
🍃 Understanding our higher purpose as educators in serving
God, our community and the youth.
🍃 Building Youth Leadership and Empowering Youth and ourselves in relation to the Earth.
Ms. Merylene, also shared previous climate programs from the Religions for Peace Interfaith Youth Climate Forum, (RfP-IYCF) as an example to inspire and encourage educators to conduct their own creative climate advocacy programs with their students. Visit the RfP-IYCF Facebook Page for more details on past youth activities and school programs.
The day focused on a lot of honest self-reflection, contemplation and unlearning of things to relearn on how to embrace a holistic life in harmony with the Earth. Participants were also encouraged to engage with each other in listening and sharing their personal stories and experiences to build supportive friendships. The day ended with everyone parting in feelings of Ubuntu and with a renewed higher purpose in caring for Mother Earth. Ubuntu is the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity, irrespective of our colour, class, race, religion and beliefs. Spekboom gifts and worksheet manuals were given to all participants by RfP-IYCF.
“Thank you for your time, patience and allowing me the opportunity to empower educators with this workshop. May the Divine bless all educators and facilitators. Educators hold the important and difficult task of shaping today’s youth to be responsible leaders for a better world. They hold the key and power to build resilient youth leaders that will change our world to one of peace, love and positivity. To build Eco-leaders that will help Mother Earth. OM, Shanti, Shanti, Shanti (Peace to All)” - Merylene Chitharai
"Thank you for inviting us to apart of this workshop. It was informative and inspiring. Do not forget to invite us again for such workshops."🙏 - Educator
"The training we had was very informative. It reminded us about the importance of taking care of our environment and our wellbeing. It took us back to our cultural beliefs and we also learnt about other religious groups which was very interesting." - OVSA Facilitator Nqobile Linda
"Together our commitments weave a giant thread among all of us for a healthy, sustainable planet. May we commit ourselves to reduce the Climate Chaos in the world by doing positive actions that will benefit the whole of humanity. Make your pledge today and commitment yourself to live with a higher purpose." - Merylene Chitharai
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