Caritas Southeast Asia unites for Regional climate change response workshop

From July 8-11, Caritas members and partners in Southeast Asia gathered in Phnom Penh for a workshop organized by Caritas Australia.

The event, themed “South-East Asia Regional Climate Change Response Framework,” included participants from Caritas Indonesia, Caritas Timor-Leste, Caritas Cambodia, Caritas Philippines, and other partners in Cambodia.

Caritas Australia’s Asia Regional Advisor, Joseph Kodamanchaly, emphasized the organization’s commitment to developing a unified policy to tackle climate change in the region, which encompasses Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Timor-Leste.

“We want to bring everyone together to plan and take joint action on the urgent issue of climate change in their respective countries and the region,” he stated.

Kodamanchaly highlighted the urgency of addressing climate action in Southeast Asia and expressed Caritas Australia’s willingness to collaborate with partners across the region.

The four-day meeting aimed to establish strategic orientations, secure donor support, and cooperate with governments to implement action plans that meet the needs of the poor affected by climate change.

During the workshop, participants worked towards understanding each other's visions and missions, integrating key elements to develop a joint climate change response plan at regional and national levels.

The discussions also reflected on the creation of God, human dignity, and the environmental context, with a focus on the principles outlined in the Laudato Si’ document.

Msgr. Enrique Figaredo, SJ, Apostolic Prefect of Battambang and Chairman of Caritas Cambodia, presented on “Church and Climate Change” on the first day. He emphasized the need for a long-term vision, a big heart, and humble service, highlighting the Church’s commitment to charity, solidarity with the poor, and fostering brotherhood and equity.

He urged participants to adopt lifestyle changes that reduce pollution and care for Mother Earth. Figaredo reiterated the Church's role in society as a responder to the needs of the most vulnerable, embodying God’s presence among all.

On the closing day, Jing Rey Henderson, Head of the National Ecology Program of Caritas Philippines, remarked on the Church’s significant efforts in protecting the ecology in Southeast Asia. She noted that the workshop provided valuable insights to implement in their countries.

“We want to create policies that make the community feel the Church’s presence, showing that organizations are genuinely caring for them and integrating them into the ecosystem,” Henderson said.

Ms. Nay Vichheka, Manager of the Development Department of Caritas Cambodia, expressed that the workshop facilitated learning from each other’s technical experiences and operational methods in their respective countries.

Vichheka hopes that the workshop will result in a comprehensive plan for addressing weather and environmental conditions across the region.

Following the workshop, participants scheduled an online meeting to further review strategies and policies, aiming to present them at the regional level for consideration and approval.- Kagnha Keo