Hamburg, April 2024. From 12 to 14 April, the German partner organisations of the CCAP project met for their second seminar in Breklum. In addition to getting to know each other, the main focus was on the two pillars of the CCAP project: advancing climate protection with concrete measures and decolonisation by developing a new type of global partnership.
Advancing climate justice and climate protection: Presentation of climate action plans
One day was all about climate justice: The topic was introduced by Uli Eder, climate justice consultant at the Infodesk for climate justice in the Centre for Global Ministries and Ecumenical Relations (North Church). Then the participating organisations, seven congregations from the area of the North Church and the Mission Academy then presented their climate action plans and their current status. The action plans included everything from structural measures to changes in everyday processes, education and networking with local initiatives. “This wide range of measures is fully in line with the CCAP project, which aims to raise awareness of climate justice”, says Uli Eder.
Climate protection goals and baseline study
After the participants, the climate officers from the North Church and the church districts provided input on the North Church’s climate goals. They were also able to clarify outstanding issues regarding the baseline study, which was to be completed by the action teams shortly afterwards. The baseline study will serve as a rough inventory of the parishes. It will identify climate protection potentials to be addressed over the next two years and beyond.
Decoloniality and a new kind of global partnership
The next seminar day was dedicated to the second pillar of the project: Decoloniality and a new kind of global partnership. The group approached this theme with input from Katharina Davis, the North Church’s Africa officer, on German colonialism in East Africa. The participants also reflected historically on church partnerships. These topics are not yet finalized but will require a process of further learning and debate over the next two years.
On the right track: Further perspectives of the CCAP project
The new project coordinator, Fabio Banet, who will accompany the project for the next two years from May 2024, was also present at this seminar weekend.
According to the feedback from many participants, this second seminar has given the project a new dynamic on the German side. Open questions and uncertainties were clarified and new inspiration was gained. Fabio Banet summarizes: “There is still a lot to do in the coming months until the first meeting of the Tanzanian-German meeting in October, but we are on the right track and looking forward to meeting our partners from Tanzania!”
