The Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific’s Reconciliation with Creation network is launching a search for young people engaged in ecological service projects across Asia Pacific, with significant impact or contribution to their communities in responding to the urgent ecological crisis of our time. Ten persons, from 18 to 25 years old, will be selected and awarded US$2,000 each to help further their projects. These “Creators of Hope”—and their stories and their work—will be highlighted and shared throughout JCAP’s networks in 2022 and 2023.
“Creators of Hope is a project conceived by the Reconciliation with Creation core team for the commemoration of the Ignatian Year. The project aims to highlight individuals or teams of youth across Asia Pacific who are actualising their love for creation and service for the poor. They are indeed sources of inspiration and hope to other young people within the conference,” says Fr Gabby Lamug-Nañawa SJ, JCAP Coordinator for Reconciliation with Creation. “People react [to the ecological crisis] in different ways: some people get depressed, get anxious, get angry. People also become activists in different ways, especially the young. But we want to highlight hope,” he shares. “Hope happens through action. When somebody addresses these issues with concrete action, hope is generated in themselves and in others. That’s what we want to do. We want to highlight young people who are already doing something, to give hope to others.”
The search for Creators of Hope begins in April. Anyone aged 18 to 25 (by 31 July 2022) and currently living within the Asia Pacific region, regardless of gender, race, religion, cultural identity, sexual orientation, or disability, is welcome to apply. Applicants must be presently working on an ecological service project, addressing current environmental issues that will also benefit the lives of a community, especially the poor. The project should demonstrate aspects of Pope Francis’ teachings in Laudato sí. There should also be evidence of the project’s positive impact or contribution to the community. Groups or small organisations may apply, but only one person should represent or be the “face” the project. Values, such as compassion, generosity, creativity, love for creation, and service for the poor, should be apparent in the project and among those involved. The 10 chosen Creators of Hope will be announced on 29 July through the JCAP website and social media.
The project finds inspiration from another young person at the forefront of climate advocacy, Greta Thunberg, who said: “We can no longer let the people in power decide what hope is. Hope is not passive. Hope is taking action. And hope always comes from the people.”
For more information and updates, you may follow Creators of Hope on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.