Caritas Asia has initiated a three-day workshop titled “Regional Integral Ecology Workshop: Fostering Climate Resilient Communities in Asia” at the Radisson Suites in Bangkok this week.
The event, which run from July 16 to 18, aimed to address the pressing issues of climate change and promote sustainable agricultural practices across the region.
“We are in a Climate Crisis. Therefore, we need to understand better climate resilience so that we may build climate-resilient communities,” said Dr. Benedict Alo D’Rozario, president of Caritas Asia.
He said Caritas Asia is evolving its community focus, transitioning from Basic Christian Communities to Basic Human Communities, and now advancing toward Basic Ecological Communities.
“To build Basic Ecological Communities, we will consider some elements of Integral Ecology, one which clearly respects its human and social dimensions,” said D’Rozario.
With a growing recognition of the critical role agriculture plays in economic stability and poverty reduction, Caritas Asia’s workshop focused on enhancing the resilience of smallholder farmers who are adversely impacted by climatic changes.
The workshop facilitated an exchange of ideas and best practices among Caritas Member Organizations from various Asian countries and explored collaborative initiatives aimed at developing climate-resilient communities.
The workshop aimed to provide a platform for knowledge sharing on sustainable agriculture techniques, water and soil conservation, and waste management practices that contribute to climate resilience.
The event sought to foster joint actions and develop a framework for documenting best practices across the region, with a focus on influencing policy and community-level changes toward greater sustainability.
In alignment with Caritas Internationalis’ strategic orientations for 2024-2030, Caritas Asia emphasized the need to save lives, reduce risk, rebuild communities, and promote sustainable development.
The workshop aligned with these orientations, particularly in its focus on building global solidarity and enhancing the coping capacities of communities against natural and man-made crises.
D’Rozario stressed the importance of addressing the climate crisis as part of a comprehensive approach to social justice and equity, particularly for vulnerable populations such as migrants, refugees, and indigenous peoples.
