“It is not only Global warming, but it’s a global warning to us to be stewards of nature”, says Rt Rev. H. Sharma Nithiyanandam, Bishop in CSI Diocese of Vellore, in the Green School Programme held at Voorhees College, Vellore on September 20, 2019. At the outset, two fruit-bearing saplings were planted at the college campus, marking the inauguration of the workshop jointly organized by CSI Synod Ecological concerns and Diocese of Vellore. The bishop made the planting in a participatory way giving responsibility to them to nurture the plants. 108 teachers attended giving a positive feedback that they would kindle their students to protect mother-earth through their lifestyle. Environmentalist, Prof. Dr N. Narasimhan, led the sessions, positing the dire need to resort to conventional methods of biodiversity protection. Rev. Dr I. Isaac Kadirvelu, Diocesan Vice-president, Rev. Paul Kennedy, diocesan eco-director addressed the gathering. Voorhees college officials, Dr Nelson Vimalanathan, Principal, and Dr Caleb Noble Chander, Bursar, Rev. Gabriel, Presbyter extended their support in hosting the initiatives of Green School Programme.
Feedback:
M. Amenraj, Vellore
A workshop on GSP was such a wonderful programme in which I
understood the concepts of Ecology as well as environment. The sessions taken by Dr.
Narasimham was really nice, which I understood that how to protect the components of
world like water, air, bio-diversity etc. I want to create the sense of conscious among
students to conserve natural resources.
U. Reeta Felsia,
The sessions were very informative. I personally learnt some new
ideas and techniques to save our earth. From the session, I got motivated to do green
audit of my college. We leant how to do water management, carbon footprint studies etc.
Finally, it is really an awesome session by Dr. Narasimhan sir
Mrs. M. Sweety Willams
I’am very happy to attend this eco-friendly conference. I
recognise my fault in my surroundings. I will support in green school initiatives and
also I will correct my mistakes. I will also share this info to my friends and relatives
also.
Ms Princy Sowmya
This programme gave good awareness and insights about the necessity
to protect our mother earth. We have to wake and as a teacher, I believe I could change
the attitude in my students. I will cooperate with the task of Green School.
Ms Evelyn Sathyabhama
It is good that we took time and efforts to discuss about the
hot issues of climate change. only students can make a bold step ahead and open the eyes
of others. It is good that we set apart assessment for schools and giving Green school
awards. I will motivate our students.
Prof. Dr.Mathew Koshy Punnackadu
Hon.Director, Ecological
Concerns
CSI Synod
The Green School Programme, organized by CSI Synod Ecological concerns was held on 19th September, 2019, at LITE Auditorium, Chennai. The training workshop includes a participation of 100 teachers from the diocesan higher educational institutions. Prof. Dr Mathew Koshy Punnackad, Hon. Director, CSI Synod Department of Ecological Concerns, inaugurated the one-day workshop, making a call for action by implementing the eco-conservation methods following the Green Protocol of CSI. Environmentalist, Prof. Dr N. Narasimhan capacitated the participants about the measures to conduct green auditing to mobilise the students as eco-warriors. Mr Arulnathan, Diocesan Educational officer, Rev. Joseph Premkumar, Diocesan Ecology Director, extended support to the massive Green School Programme of CSI Synod. Mr. Noble Prince Sam and Mrs. Mary Stella explained the details of GSP auditing.
Evaluation:
Mrs. Emily Titus
CSI Monahan Matric Hr Sec. School, Chennai
This is a student centered programme, which will help them to think green, do green, and live green. This will also get spread to their families and better greener generation. This will also help students to have hands on experience and acquire knowledge by doing which will help them enjoy learning. The outcome of this GSP programme will be a great harvest, not only quantitatively, but in increasing a healthy and qualitative life.
Ms R. Walter,
CSI Central HSS, Arakkonam
The GSP programme was very useful. All must understand that the emergency of preservation and protection of our indigenousplants as well as animal. I'm impressed and got lot of ecological information from this programme.
Mrs Y Mary Karpagan
CSI Corley HSS, Tambaram
Attending both session is very good, ice and innovative. I assure you as a HM. I will make my children to become a Eco-warriors and also to love the nature and to protect. I will make my school campus as a Eco-friendly environment.
Mrs. Christina Tamilarasi
CSI Rajagopal HSS, Chennai
It is very essential programme and important one also. We need more awareness about Ecovision and Environmental goals. Very thankful for called us, we try to do very effectively in our school premises. Our campus has got much place. We will plant and motivate our children to conserve it.
Ms Arul Papitha
CSI Monahan GHSS, Chennai
This programme gave us ideas how to bond and get connected with nature, and we would inculcate the need of the hour to save environment in children's mind. So they will learn in a joyful way.
CSI EWART Matric Hr. Sec. School, Annanagar, Chennai
The interactive lecture given by Dr Narasimhan was an eye-opener to encourage students to save and conserve the environment. The lecture given by Dr Mathew Koshy was very useful. The various brainstorming questions posed by him made us think differently. If these are followed in classrooms, learning will become a joyful experience.
C. Jayaseeli
Kancheepuram
Today's ecology programme is very good. I have learned so many things through this programme. It is very much needed and useful for this generation. It should be implemented in school. It will give a good fortune for the new generation. Sincere regards for conducting such a good programme for teachers. Thanks to everybody.
Mr. V. Daniel Tolstoy
We got much motivated about the importance of ecological balance and the environmental needs. I understood the deeper concepts of Green School Programme. We will speak about the importance of green school concepts among the students.
Mrs. Hannah Daniel
St David's Matriculation School, Cuddalore
We had very interesting sessions and we will work and would implement the activities of green school programme.
Ms Praman Sathya
CSI Anderson School
CSI Green school programme is very useful programme as it motivates them to use our natural resources consciously. We must also encourage farmers and agriculture and also our students to start doing vegetable garden in their home.
Ms S Shirlee
CSI Corley HSS, Tambaram
It was really a interesting and motivating class for the teachers to know about the green school. We learnt many innovative measures to create our school green and develop our student's ability to learn more about green schools.
Mrs J. Mary Elizabeth,
CSI Madras
It was very informative and useful. Many innovative ideas were given and I want to implement this in my school. Even though we have lack of space, I want to encourage my children to do it at their houses.
A Grace Patricia
CSI Hr Sec. School, Melrosapuram
It was an interesting session. By attending this Green School programme, I understood the necessity to implement in our schools. we came to understand about how to use innovative methods to change our environment pollution free. we should change the attitude towards nature and must conserve it for future generations.
Mrs Sofia Stephen
CSI Jessie Moses School, Chennai
This is very effective programme in nurturing the nature. Motivated by the concept of Green school as it is not just about planting a few saplings.
Green Protocol must be practiced by all the citizens.
Ms Sheeba K
EWART Global School, Chennai
The programme was very informative to know the importance of an environment. Understood the importance of our resource and its proper usage. Keep going with this great effort to inculcate the younger minds to save our earth. Good Job.
Prof Dr.Mathew Koshy Punnackadu
Hon.Director, Ecological
Concerns
CSI Synod
The Green School Programme, jointly organized by CSI Synod Ecological concerns and Diocese of Dornakal was held on 14th September, 2019, at CSI Epiphany Cathedral, Dornakal in Telangana state. The Deputy Moderator of CSI, Rt Rev. Dr Vadappally Prasada Rao, inaugurated the training workshop attended by 82 participants including teachers and head of the institutions from all the Dornakal diocesan schools. The bishop puts forward a new paradigm to protect our mother earth and a call for action. Prof. Dr Philip Robinson, Faculty in Biotechnology, led the training sessions, addressing the teachers to inculcate a sense of deep awareness among students to conserve our natural resources and also the steps to be followed to transform their campuses in accordance with the Green Protocol of CSI. Mr K. J. Shubhakar Ashirvadam, Treasurer in Dornakal Diocese, Mr G. P. V. Sekhar Bob, Diocesan Educational Board Secretary, Rev. Israel Prabhu Sagar, Diocesan Ecology Director, Rev. Praveen, Presbyter in Cathedral Church and Mr Vamshi gave felicitations and extended support to the massive Green School Programme of CSI Synod. Mr. Noble Prince Sam explained the details of GSP Auditing.
Feed back .V.Manjula Rani -Dornakal ,Programme is very informative and interesting .It’s an individual responsible to protect environment .Mrs. Norah Prithviraj -Got enlightened about Green School Programme. Understood that it is our responsibility to protect our natural resources ,and proceed to make our school Green .G.Sindhu- learnt new things through GSP. M.V Satya Kumar -the book Green Protocol Guidelines is very good ,would like to adopt in school .Smt .B. Achsah -The presentation Was good and Use full to our institutions.The Resource person explained very well, on the topics Air, Food, Energy, Land, Water & Waste. Y. Priyanka- GSP enlights our thoughts and it’s a good encouragement and motivation to teachers to mould children into good citizen for next generation, by maintaining our premises with greenary.
Prof Dr.Mathew Koshy Punnackadu
Hon.Director, Ecological
Concerns
CSI Synod
Eco-Initiatives| CSI Synod Ecology | The Edwin Centre CSI School and Home for the Intellectually Challenged | Satchiyapuram, Madurai | Special Prize | School Level | Award-Winning Documentary| How Green is my Institution- Contest |
The Edwin Centre CSI School and Home for the Intellectually Challenged in Satchiyapuram, Madurai (CSI Madurai Ramnad Diocese), bagged special prize in the Documentary Contest in school level conducted by CSI Synod Department of Ecological Concerns. This video includes the eco-initiatives implemented by the school. The awards were gifted during the Valedictory ceremony of 5th International Eco-Conference on Greening the Globe for Sustainable Living (IEC–GGSL 2019) organized by the Consortium of Higher Educational Institutions under the leadership of CSI Synod, Chennai held from 1st to 4th August 2019 at CSI Synod Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
School Level
First Prize: CMSLP School, Ennooramvayal, Pathanamthitta
https://youtu.be/KmVb0lCGgBc
School Level
Second Prize: Noyes School, Madurai
https://youtu.be/rvttdSanG10
School Level
Second Prize: CSI Girls Higher Secondary School, Pasumalai, Madurai
https://youtu.be/ABH04yYkVas
School Level
Third Prize: OCPM School, Madurai
https://youtu.be/ycMZAqDBgg8
School Level
Third Prize: CMS High School, Mundakayam
https://youtu.be/5ch__KW9vno
School Level
Special Prize: The Edwin Centre CSI School and Home for the
Intellectually Challenged in Satchiyapuram, Madurai
Prof. Dr. Mathew Koshy Punnackad,
Hon. Director,
Ecological
Concerns Department,
CSI Synod
The recent International Conference on “Greening the Globe for Sustainable Living”, organized by the Department of Ecological Concerns, CSI Synod, was unique as it sought to address Climate Change, as “the most important issue of science in the 21st century” (Mark Maslin). The Conference, held from August 1 to 4, 2019 at the CSI Synod Center in Chennai in partnership with the CSI Consortium of Educational Institutions, WCC, NCCI, Madras Diocese and ACEN, revealed what religious collectives could do to tackle the issues of ecological conservation. Also, it underscored the importance of inter-faith dialogues and united struggles against the forces of environmental exploitation. Quite distinctively, the CSI Synod Department of Ecological Concerns chose to address a very terrestrial concern against the overall backdrop of biblical spirituality.
That hierarchical religious fraternities often organize conferences of such magnitude is common experience. But that only the CSI has chosen Global Greening as the theme of an international conference makes this Conference distinct. As Rev. Dr. D. Rathanakara Sadananda, the General Secretary of the CSI, desired in his welcome speech, the Conference went a long way in grappling with the issues of Climate Change. It provided a great opportunity to the participants to learn more about the scientific reasons for Climate Change. They could also learn more about the scientific methods for resisting it. Now onwards, hopefully, the greening of the Earth will be a part of the prayerful activities of the CSI fraternity. And it makes the CSI efforts singular and salutary.
The Conference, attended by more than 380 delegates from different states of India and foreign nations, was intended to create better ecological awareness among the participants. Providing a thorough scientific understanding of the unprecedented natural disasters all over the world, the Conference sought to impress upon them that the very survival of the human species may turn critical if there was no restraint on environmental exploitation. Right from the inaugural session, the speakers and the researchers stated and restated the fact that the present global threat was anthropogenic. In loud, clear and unambiguous words they told themselves and the world that man should change himself in order to organize defense against Climate Change.
Every episode and chapter of the Conference was well orchestrated, thanks to the imaginative planning and dedicated co-ordination conducted by Dr. Mathew Koshy Punnakkadu, the Hon. Director of the Dept of Ecology and the General Convener of the Conference. The inaugural session was opened by Rev.Dr.P.C.Singh and graced by many luminaries from the theological and academic firmaments. Rt.Rev.Dr.Vadappally Prasad Rao, Most.Rev.Dr.P.C.Singh, Rev.Dr.D.Rathanakara Sadananda, Rt.Rev.M.Joseph, Rt.Rev.Dr.J.George Stepehen, Rt.Rev.Dr.D.Chandrasekharan, Dr.Paul Dayabharan, Mr.R.Sreedhar (Thanal), Dr.Manoj Kurian, Mr.Dinesh Suna and Prof. Dr. J. Samuel Cornelius, Fr.Joshtrom Isaac Kureethdam, Prof. A. Alagappa Moses, Dr.D.P.Godwin Samraj, Dr.E.J.James, Prof.S.A.Abbasi, Dr.Paul Appasamy, Dr.T.Sekhar, Dr.J.R.V.Edward, Dr.Roy Sam Daniel were some of the clerics and academics who graced the conference with their presence. The inaugural session of the Conference was presided over by The Rt.Rev. Dr.Vadappally Prasad Rao, the Acting Moderator of the CSI. Delivering his inaugural address, the Most Rev.Dr.P.C.Singh, the President of National Council of Churches in India and the Moderator of the Church of North India, made an impassioned plea for seeking alternatives in life style, initiatives in non-conventional energy consumption and dialogues on global poverty. The keynote address was given by Prof. Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysus Metropolitan, a pre-eminent environmental scientist. In his highly informative and enlightening speech, he dealt with the various aspects of eco-theology. He observed that global warming was not just a matter of rise in temperature. It had ligaments with the economic order, he observed. Elaborately dealing with the causes for climate change, the Metropolitan suggested a shift from carbon-based technology to hydrogen-based technology as means for reversing the rise in temperature.
Many research papers on important topics were presented in the different sessions of the Conference. However, considering the brevity of this review, a select few can be referred to here. In the presentation on “Eco-Justice: A Philosophical Perspective”, Fr. Joshtrom Isaac Kureethadam SDB brought out the Vatican’s views on ecology and capitalism and their linkages with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Dr. Sujith John Chandy and Dr.Philip Mathew, co-researchers from CMC Vellore, together led the delegates to the unchartered territory of “Antibiotics and Environment”. Mr. R. Sreedhar, Director of Thanal, Thiruvananthapuram, quite passionately argued for the practice of the precepts we set for ourselves. There are umpteen opportunities for every environmental activist to adopt alternate ways of living which might ultimately lead to the mitigation of natural calamities, he pointed out. The presentations “Ecological Concern for sustainable Living” by Dr.Manoj Kurian and “Water for Sustainable Living” by Dinesh Suna were remarkable for their scientific content and academic brilliance. Rev. Asir Ebenezer ‘s speech on “Religious Involvements in Eco-Conservation” was another highlight on the first day of the Conference.
From the second day onwards, the organizers gave much opportunity to the participants to present their points of view. Simultaneous paper presentations were arranged in three different halls. Aspects of environmental science such as Water, Energy, Waste, Sustainable Agriculture, Air, Health, Bio-diversity and Alternate Models were given utmost importance. Dr. E. J. James, (PVC, Karunya University), Mr. Ranjan Panda, Prof. S. A. Abbasi (CSIR Emeritus Professor, Pondicherry University) and Dr. Paul Appasamy (Former Vice Chancellor, Karunya University) spoke respectively on “Integrated Water Management”, “Importance of Rivers to Address Water Crisis: Human Rights and Ecological Perspective”, “Waste Water Treatment” and “Biodiversity Conservation”.
Topics pertaining to ecology were discussed under the theological, sociological and philosophical perspectives too. The presentations of people’s stories, indigenous practices and eco-theological concerns elicited much interest in the participants. The stories on the Kerala Floods by Nivin Thomas and Athul Abraham and Dr.Sam Deva Asir’s story of Cyclone Gaja were remarkable as they brought home the fact that we had begun to be the direct victims of climate change. Dr.K.P.Krishnankutty, Retired Principal, Govt. College, Kottayam narrated the interventions and struggles of the Kerala Sastra Sahithya Parishath, the unique People’s Science Movement of Kerala, for keeping the Earth safe and sustainable to the posterity. Dr.T.Sekhar’s presentation “Environmental Laws” threw light on the legal steps to be observed in architectural constructions.
The Conference provided the much space for aspiring academics and researchers for peer presentations. The sessions, where new views, inferences and experiences were presented, had an open expansiveness, emanating from the positive attitude of the participants. The looming threat of impending global disaster, it seemed, had surely pervaded them all. As a result, there was a general tolerant readiness to learn the other person’s perspective. When a conference of this sort willfully accepts the plurality of religious convictions, the much needed space for harmonious global greening can be steadily worked out. At the Conference, the Hindu, the Islamic and the Jain points of view were presented respectively by Ms Shribala Mylavarapu, Ms Fathima Sarah and Ms Reshma Bhansali. The Brahmakumaris gave course on their style of meditation which would, according to them, enable sustainable life on the Earth.
The highlight of the four-day Conference was the documentary presentations on the Green School Programs in the schools and colleges under the CSI. Twelve Colleges and thirteen Schools and one Special School had sent their entries for screening. Generally, the documentaries maintained high standard of excellence. They revealed the potential of the academic fraternity—students and teachers--to initiate actions for transforming the world. If teachers are ready to act as good facilitators, the finest in the green creativity of the students can be brought out to fruition, the documentaries told us verbally and visually. Impassioned with the idea of green and clean campuses, the students communicated through their documentaries the vital importance of keeping air, water, energy, land and vegetation free from contamination. They demonstrated that they had the practical knowledge of waste management, the basics of agriculture and the value of physical labor. Some of the documentaries maintained high artistic perfection. Documentary cinema also, despite its inherent informative and didactic value, provides ample room for artistic creativity. A well-written screen play, edited flow of visuals, natural narration and skilful use of background music are the essential ingredients of a good documentary. If proper directorial imagination is employed to put all these together in artistic harmony, a documentary can be a feast for aesthetic experience as well as food for thought. The documentaries of Malabar Christian College, Calicut and CMS LPSchool, Vechoochira were remarkably excellent. They were adjudged as the best documentaries of all. At the college level the second position was shared by Bishop Heber College, Tiruchirappally and CMS College, Kottayam. The second prize at the school level was shared by Noyes School, Madurai and CSI Girls Higher Secondary School, Pasumalai, Madurai. Summing up the assessment of the documentaries, it can be stated that there was a sincere effort on the part all concerned to communicate the idea of school greening through the creative involvement of students in environmental practice.
The organizers of the Conference had taken care to dispel the monotony of the intellectual deliberations through a series of cultural programs every evening. Boys and girls from different CSI educational institutions and Sunday schools in and around Chennai staged dance items, music performances, tableaux and mimes to entertain the delegates. With unusual seriousness and sense of social commitment, they artistically communicated the importance of environmental activism. A salient aspect of the performances was that they were all steeped in the Dravidian tradition--the musical tones, the rhythmic patterns, the costumes and the ornamentations which made the performances naturally vibrant, resurgent and creative.
Of course, at the valedictory session of the Conference, all participants had a sense of satisfaction. They seemed to share valuable pieces of knowledge and experience, useful to transform the world, to make the world a better place to live in. Among the felicitation speeches, the words of Bishop J. George Stephen, the Bishop of the Diocese of Madras, had a distinct tone and character and they seemed to encapsulate the message of the Conference. With an uncommon historical acumen, unambiguously he declared that capitalism was the villain behind global warming and climate change. The environmental disasters, which make human existence uncertain on the Earth, were the cumulative consequences of the unbridled profit-oriented exploitation of man and nature by capitalism since the beginning of Industrial Revolution in the 18th century, he substantiated. The implication that an alternative global economic policy is inevitable is, surely, food for thought and action in the years to come. Mr. Atul Baggai, the head of the UNEP in India appreciated the eco works of CSI in his keynote address during the valedictory session.
When Dr. Mathew Koshy Punnakkad, the General Convener of the Conference proposed the vote of thanks to all dignitaries, the speakers, paper presenters, participants, artists and to the other Directors Rev.James Cecil Victor, Rev.Sunilraj Philip, Rev. Maxcin John,Rev.Dr. Praveen Perumalla and Rev.Solomon Paul for making the Conference a historic event in the annals of the ecological concerns of the CSI, his words had the clear ring of a sincere conviction that the we would make the world a better place for “the best is yet to be”.
Dr.K.P.Krishnankutty
(Retired Principal, Govt.College, Kottayam)
The International Conference on “Greening the Globe for Sustainable Living”, organized by the Department of Ecological Concerns, CSI Synod from 1st to 4th of August 2019 at Chennai, was the most timely one, and at the onset, I should say is also a milestone, marking many years of very focused and committed efforts to green the CSI community, the institutions associated with the community and its people. This I must say is a rare and singular action, considering that CSI is one of the largest church community in India, and is perhaps the largest such green and sustainable outreach by a faith community for its people, anywhere in the world.
The credit fully goes to the officers of CSI and to the Director of the Department of Ecological Concerns, Prof. Mathew Koshy Punnackadu. Incidentally, I have no knowledge of any other community denomination having such a full fledged pro-active and vibrant department for something as critical as ecological concerns !
The milestone conference was not just a confluence of expertise, experience and sharing of community efforts, but also a very important pointer at something that needs to be highlighted. That this world has a very different way of denoting itself, beyond nation boundaries and physical fences. This world is also a habitat of diverse communities, most of them having their own faith and culture. The change that we all desire to sustain and nourish life on earth, to address collective concerns such as poverty, hunger, livelihood, and now most critical global warming and climate change, need not necessarily be only through nation states, that are parties to global conferences on environment. It can and should also happen through the communities voluntarily, decisively and collectively adopting such protocols, guidelines, and actions at all levels starting from individuals to the regional levels, to mitigate the impacts of negative environment impacts, and create positive and nourishing impacts through actions. In that sense CSI pioneered this, and it must be seen with pride and hope.
In this context, I must laud the Department for adopting the Green Protocol, and spreading the same. The International Conference also followed the Protocol, thus setting a precedent. The sessions very clearly put forth the problem our earth is facing, the actions that caused it, and the solutions that can remediate the condition. I only wish that this conference, its papers and thoughts put forward will trigger such efforts in other faith communities, and eventually we will be able to call for a global treaty that will establish the settlement norms for human beings to sustain this earth and sustainably live here. If that happens, this conference would become the beacon, and not just a milestone. Best wishes for the green efforts in the future. God bless.
Sridhar Radhakrishnan,
Director,
Thanal
Coordinator(Policy&Campaigns), Save our Rice Campaign
– India.
Malabar Christian College, Calicut, bags First Prize for the Documentary Competition on
Ecology organised by the CSI Synod Ecological Concerns under the title'How Green is my
School/College?’. This award and the other prizes for the colleges were distributed
during the International Eco- Conference held at the CSI Synod Centre from 1st to 4th
August 2019. The results and the links to the prize-winning documentaries are given
below.
First Prize: Malabar Christian College, Calicut
https://youtu.be/TpJSj9emWhg
College Level
Second Prize: Bishop Heber College, Trichy
https://youtu.be/feqOb0xGuNg
College Level
Second Prize: CMS College, Kottayam
https://youtu.be/rq1kJsZfiiw
Prof. Dr. Mathew Koshy Punnackad,
Hon. Director,
Ecological
Concerns Department,
CSI Synod
CMSLP School, Ennooramvayal, Pathanamthitta, under the Madhya Kerala Diocese winsthe
First Prize for the Documentary Competition (School level) on Ecology organised by the
CSI Synod Ecological Concerns under the title'How Green is my School/College?’. This
award and the other prizes for the colleges were distributed during the International
Eco- Conference held at the CSI Synod Centre from 1st to 4th August 2019. The results
and the links to the prize-winning documentaries are given below.
School Level
First Prize: CMSLP School, Ennooramvayal, Pathanamthitta
https://youtu.be/KmVb0lCGgBc
School Level
Second Prize: Noyes School, Madurai
https://youtu.be/rvttdSanG10
School Level
Second Prize: CSI Girls Higher Secondary School, Pasumalai, Madurai
https://youtu.be/ABH04yYkVas
School Level
Third Prize: OCPM School, Madurai
https://youtu.be/ycMZAqDBgg8
School Level
Third Prize: CMS High School, Mundakayam
https://youtu.be/5ch__KW9vno
Prof.
Dr. Mathew Koshy Punnackad,
Hon. Director,
Ecological Concerns
Department,
CSI Synod
“UNEP keenly observes the eco-projects of the Church of South India (CSI) with great interest and we even think it is more than the work we are doing”, said Mr Atul Beggai, in his keynote address at the concluding session of the fifth International Conference organised by CSI Synod Department of Ecological Concerns with the support of 17 educational institutions, National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), World Council of Churches (WCC) and Anglican Communion. Mr Atul referred to the Green School Programme as a genuine need of the hour to inculcate and change the attitude of the young children. UNEP would like to collaborate with CSI Synod in the Green School Programme, stated Atul Beggai. He told that the appreciation of the Green Protocol of CSI is mainly because it is better doing what you are preaching.
The CSI Synod gave Awards to 44 Schools Completed the GSP audit of Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi. The Synod also gave cash awards to the Colleges which screened the documentaries on the topic, 'How Green is my School/College'. The first prize in the college level was won by the Malabar Christian College, Calicut, the second prize winners are Bishop Heber College, Trichy & CMS College, Kottayam, and the third prize has gone to Voorhes College, Vellore. School Level First Prize was given to the CMS Lower Primary School, Enooramvayal, Pathanamthitta (Madhya Kerala Diocese), second prize was shared by Noyes School, Madurai and CSI Girls Higher Secondary School, Pasumalai, Madurai, and the third prize was shared among OCPM School, Madurai, CSI School for Differently Abled, Sivakasi, and CMS High School, Mundakkayam. Rt Rev. M. Joseph; the Chairperson of the Ecological Concerns Department of the CSI Synod, Eng. John Mahendran; Chairman of the TamilNadu State Minorities Commission, Rt Rev. George Stephen; Bishop of CSI Madras Diocese, Mr. JCD Probhakar; Ex MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly), Rt Rev. Dr Royce Manoj Victor; Bishop of CSI Diocese of Malabar, Dr. Manoj Kurian; WCC, Rev. Dr D. Rathnakara Sadananda; Gen. Secretary, CSI and Vice-President of NCCI, and Prof. Dr Mathew Koshy Punnackad; Hon. Director of the Department of Ecological Concerns spoke in the concluding session of the International Conference.
The third day of the International Eco Conference, which has been organised at the Church
of South India (CSI) Synod Centre by the consortium of Higher Educational Institutions
of the CSI with the support of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the National
Council of Churches in India (NCCI) commenced with the workshop that emphasized harmony
with nature in all the day to day practices for sustainable living in the earth. This
initial session of the day was led by Mr Santhanu of Brahma Kamari’s organization. They
explained their activities fine-tuned to conserve natural resources through renewable
energy resources. Followed by the workshop, Rev. Dr John Samuel Ponnusamy; Principal of
the Gurukul Lutheran Theological College, Chennai, elaborated the prerequisite nature of
water for the life of the planet through the Biblical passage. These sessions were
presided over by Rev. Maxcin John; the Director of the Mission and Evangelism Department
of the CSI Synod.
The technical session entitled with Climate change and response of
faith communities was chaired by Rev. Sunil Raj Philip, Director, Department of
communications, CSI Synod. Rev. Michael Starck, the State Church Commissioner for the
Church Development Service of the Evangelical Church in Baden, Germany, lucidly
explained the church Movements concerning ecological conservation and preservation.
Followed by him Rev. Solomon P. Benjamin, Liaison Secretary for East Asia and India in
the Evangelical Mission in Solidarity (EMS), elaborated about the Eco-mission activities
which are performing in the countries Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Lebanon, China and India.
The global issues due to pollution, climate change, deforestation and health hazards
related to multidrug resistance strains have been addressed and the problem-solving
protocol has been discussed during the parallel sessions. Rev. Solomon informed the
gathering that the Initiatives of the Ecological Concerns Department of the Church of
South India, which includes Green School Programme, Green Church Campaign, Green
Protocol and the Episcopal Letter on Carbon fast, were highly appreciated by the
Evangelical Mission in Solidarity.
The Schools and colleges of CSI presented
documentaries under the title 'How Green is my Institution' in front of the panel
members chaired by Dr. Roy Sam Daniel, Principal, CMS College, Kottayam. The neo
initiatives taken by the institutions were very much appreciated by the audience. The
third day of the conference came to a close with the cultural performance of the
clergies of the Diocese of Madras with the percussion instruments which are considered
as the symbol of Liberation reflects the redemption to the earth.
Dr. Mathew
Koshy Punnackadu, the Director of the Ecological Concerns Department of the CSI,
informed that the conference will come to a close on the 4th of August and the
organisers look forward to coming out with a statement that will challenge the South
Indian institutions, faith-based organisations and the common public to understand the
urgency of preserving nature.
"Food scarcity is at its peak as the climate lost its natural rhythm, where the poor are still made poorer", pointed out by Rev. Vinod Victor in his speech on 'Food and water for all amidst challenges of Climate Change: A faith perspective'. The Second Day of the International Eco- Conference at the Church of South India (CSI) Synod Centre organised by the consortium of Higher Educational Institutions of the CSI witnessed thought-provoking and challenging presentations on ecological concerns. Parallel sessions were held where more than 20 eminent speakers presented their views, findings and suggestions in the field of natural resource management and sustainable living. The role of indigenous practices, which was followed by the Adivasis in India, for the conservation of the mother nature was highlighted by Ms Renemsongla Ozukum from Nagaland. The success stories and interventions in the field of nature conservation were discussed by NGOs and the other voluntary organizations involved in the green movements. Prof. Dr K. Krishnankutty from Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad addressed the success stories of the movement through popularizing the science for the wellness of the human being. He opined that development must start from the marginal level to achieve a sustainable goal. The work of the Ecological Concerns of the Church of South India and the Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi, for schools of CSI the Green School Programme and its positive impact on the performers of the schools were explained by Prof. Dr Mathew Koshy Punnakad; the Director of Ecological Concerns of the CSI, Mr A. Moses Packiyaraj and Prof. J. Philip Robinson, followed by the session the disaster management practices conducted by the voluntary organizations during the time of natural calamities was discussed by the leaders. Mr Nivin Thomas explained the rehabilitation processes conducted during the landslide in Wayanad in Kerala during the devastating floods in the year 2018.The work of the Madhya Kerala Diocese Youth Movement during the Kerala Floods through “Cyber Warriors” was explained by Mr Atul Abraham.Dr Sam Deva Asir from the Social Work Department of Bishop Heber College, Tiruchirappalli, explained the Managerial practices which were followed during the disaster through Gaja Cyclone in the Districts of Tanjore, Nagapattinam, and Pudukottai districts of Tamil Nadu with the partnership of CSI SEVA. Dr Sahab Shabbir from the Law and Islamic Studies Department of Maldives National University explained about Envio-Human Rights Jurisprudence for Environmental Protection.
Under the Chairmanship of the former vice Chancellors Dr E. J. James and Dr Paul P. Appasamy, and Principals of the Higher Educational Consortium of CSI, Faculty members, Research Scholars and students from across the globe have presented more than 75 research papers in the fields of Water, Energy, Sustainable Agriculture, Air, health, Bio-diversity and Alternate Models, Environmental Laws, Eco-justice, Eco- friendly Constructions, Church Architecture, Migration and Ecology.
Dr Manoj Kurian; Coordinator of the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance of the World Council of Churches and Dr Dinesh Suna, Programme Executive of Ecumenical Water Network (EWN) of the World Council of Churches explained the importance of the Council in Eco programmes.
The evening of the day was rich with the cultural programmes presented by the students of CSI Jessie Moses Matriculation Higher Secondary School (Chennai), Corporation School, Perambur (Chennai) and CSI Monahan Girls HSS (Chennai).
Prof. Dr Mathew Koshy Punnackad, the Director of the Ecological Concerns Department of the Church of South India and the General Convener of the International Eco- Conference, informed that the third day of the conference will have the joint sessions in which different educational institutions of CSI will present documentaries on the work of the respective institutions on eco-conservation.