IMCS-IYCS INTERNATIONAL FORMATION AND STUDY SESSION

3^RD - 10^TH DECEMBER 2008, CREIL, FRANCE

Declaration

We, the IMCS and IYCS student delegates from Africa, Asia, Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Latin America and North America attended the formation and study session at Creil, France 3-10 December 2008. The theme of our gathering was ‘Sustainable Ecology: A Reality for the World? A Challenge for Students!’  

We discussed and reflected on the following inter-related issues:

• Climate Change and Sustainable Development
• Industrialization, Urbanization and Ecology
• Sustainable Agriculture
• The Relationship between Theology and Ecology.

We have witnessed, by sharing our own experiences and through an exposure programme, how climate change impacts on health, education, transport, housing, leisure, industry and commerce to the detriment of millions.

We want to proclaim the following:

1. That the biggest challenge facing us as students is how to encourage sustainable development in the face of the planetary ecological-crisis. The inhuman face of profit-driven development and modernization has in the past, and continues to have, adverse effects on global ecology.
2. That the current reality of global warming and the depletion of natural, biological and mineral resources are as a result of human intervention. In this fast growing world, we see an urgent need to recognize the negative legacy that we are leaving for generations to come.
3. That it is imperative to form young people and increase their awareness of the effects on the planet of our actions and, indeed, our lack of action. We believe there is a lack of formation on these issues in many youth networks. The relationship between the environment, economic growth and social development is serious.

We have resolved to tackle the issues of sustainable ecology by working towards:  

1. Providing awareness-building, formation, opportunities for dialogue and advocacy training on ecological justice and sustainable development. We hope to empower students and youth with the scientific knowledge and eco-theology to deal with the crisis.
2. Actively organizing and participating in campaigns promoting eco-justice.
3. Producing  creative advocacy materials, methods and tools.(e.g. letter writing campaigns, videos, songs, recycling projects, tree planting, promotion of environmental friendly models and policies of development)
4. Empowering students to become active in the monitoring of trade-related environmental degradation by ensuring accountability of corporations/governments. This will be done by networking with civil society and human rights organizations, as well as with ecumenical and interfaith network groups.