Church of Ireland Youth Department Launches Climate Justice Toolkit

The Church of Ireland Youth Department (CIYD) is delighted to launch its Climate Justice Toolkit – a resource pack which explores climate change from a global justice perspective.  This has been adapted from materials produced in association with the Girls Friendly Society.

Steve Grasham, CIYD’s Youth Ministry Development Officer for the Southern Region, says: “Climate change presents the single biggest threat to sustainable development everywhere. Its widespread and unprecedented effects disproportionately impact the poorest and most vulnerable people in our world. The aim of this toolkit is to build the knowledge, skills and attitudes of young people as they explore the impact of climate change on our planet, the inequality of its consequences on people, and why this is unjust.”

This toolkit uses a ‘development education’ approach – an interactive and creative learning process that seeks to increase awareness and understanding of the world we live in. It challenges perceptions and stereotypes by encouraging optimism, participation and action for a just world.  Through a process of exploration, reflection and action, the activities seek to support young people to make connections between their own lives and climate justice issues, and to empower them to make a positive difference in our world.

The resource is available in a PDF document format.  Clergy, youth workers and youth leaders can contact their Diocesan Youth Officer or Steve Grasham at [email protected] for a copy. In due course, it will also be downloadable from the CIYD website: www.ciyd.org

Left to right: Simon Henry, National Youth Officer; Emma Lynch; Church and Supporter Relations Co-ordinator, Tearfund Ireland; Steve Grasham, CIYD Youth Ministry Development Officer (Southern Region); Bishop Pat Storey, CIYD President; and Mrs Brigid Barrett, CIYD Chairperson.