Vincent Soreng Eco Award 2024
By Edward Musungu
The Vincent Soreng Eco Award 2024 was presented to the Notre Dame Jesuit Community, Addis Ababa on Wednesday 16 October at Pedro Arrupe Jesuit Community, Mwangaza. The award committee recognized their exceptional environmental conservation efforts, including tree planting, waste management, recycling, and innovative projects like the “Living Cross of Jesus Christ.” Father Odomaro Mubangizi, SJ, accepted the prize on behalf of Notre Dame Community from Br Vincent Soreng SJ, a household name on environmental conservation.
The Environmental Club of Ocer Campion Jesuit College, Gulu while highly commendable in their environmental conservation efforts, emerged runner-up. Their impactful activities, including tree planting, plastic recycling and community outreach reflected a strong dedication to ecological conservation.
During his acceptance speech, Fr Odomaro noted that, Climate change has been one of the most urgent challenges of our time, affecting every corner of the globe. It’s devastating effects has been particularly pronounced in regions like the Horn of East Africa, where communities are increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, prolonged droughts, and unpredictable rainfall patterns. These changes have threatened the livelihoods of millions, increasing food insecurity, water scarcity, and displacement.
As we celebrate the achievements of the Notre Dame Jesuit Community and Ocer Campion Jesuit College, we are reminded of the words of Pope Francis in his encyclical Laudato Si’, that “All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents. ” Let us continue to work together to protect and preserve our common home for future generations.”
The Jesuit Development Office congratulates both institutions for their dedication to a greener and more sustainable world. We call upon the entire Jesuit fraternity across the entire Eastern Africa Province to be great stewards for this, our Common Home, as we have pledged to do so in the Universal Apostolic Preference #4. The next call for applications will be announced in the coming months.
