As part of implementation of the second PAP – preserving and protecting environment – the Communication Commission and Youth commission jointly organised a three-day intensive workshop on environmental writings. Around 25 Students from three Jesuit colleges and youth from social action attended the workshop with much enthusiasm. Fr. Maria Packiam SJ in his inaugural address, gave a panoramic view on the issues and challenges of environmental degradation which set the real tone for the workshop.
The dynamics of the workshop was that erudite scholars and environmental activists gave inputs coupled with a variety of exercises on environmental writing. They brought out indigenous problems of their own villages in their writings. The participants were enlightened on various themes such as “climate change and its impact on human existence”, Hydrocarbon project, “Methane Project and Power and electricity”, “Socio-political, cultural factors contributing to environmental problems”, “Women and Environmental issues” “Threats to Indian Bio-diversity” and “the roles and responsibilities of individuals in safeguarding nature”. All the resource persons along with their inputs, insisted on serious reading on the various aspects of environmental threats and doing scientific research on various aspects relating to safeguarding the nature, before they started writing. All the students went home with a deep conviction to proactively contribute to the environmental writing from their own perspectives. Fr. A. Irudayaraj and Fr. Sarathi made all the arrangements for the workshop.
A Scripture Professor and a veteran formator, the author is currently the South Asian Assistancy Delegate for Formation.
