An environmental advocacy related workshop was organized by Caritas Sri Lanka with the active collaboration of Caritas Sethmini Ratnapura under the Stepping Stone to Safeguarding Sri Lanka’s Natural Environment (SSEP) project.
This workshop was held on 4th October 2022 at Caritas Sethmini Ratnapura. The SSEP team from National Centre and the staffs from Colombo, Chilaw, Galle and Ratnapura DCs participated in the workshop.
Mr. Sajeewa Chamikara, a well-known environmentalist attached to MONLAR (Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform), was the resource person. During the workshop, Mr Chamikara asked SSEP Diocesan Coordinators to explain about the main environmental issues they have identified in their regions while implementing the project activities and formation of groups under the project. According to the findings shared by the coordinators, Mr. Chamikara shared his advocacy-related experience regarding environmental issues with the Caritas staff.
He further advised the staff, how people can advocate for environmental issues that they are facing with and how the SSEP team can assist people technically using the advocacy and lobbying tools to mitigate or to stop the acts involved with ecological injustice.
He also explained a few instances how their organization worked with grass roots level communities in bringing participatory solutions for the issues they have identified and faced.
Rev Fr Luke Nelson, Caritas National Director and Rev Fr Damian Fernando, Director of Caritas Sethmini Rathnapura, with their respective staff organized the workshop.
