Source: ASNS
Hundreds of women community and religious leaders, environmentalist and advocates from 28 countries present new solutions for sustainable development.

The global peace initiative of women announced on Friday the agenda for its anniversary conference in Nairobi, Kenya.

More than 300 women environmentalists from around the world have convened a four day conference at United Nations Environmental Programme headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya to consider Awakening the healing heart , how civil society, especially women and religious leaders, can mobilize awareness and action to respond to the current environmental crisis.

Mr. Achim Steiner, executive Director of the UNEP opened the conference with a special address. Sessions throughout the four days with a focus on how to heal conflict, social tensions and environmental degradation by cultivating a deeper understanding of the rights of nature, human interdependence and interconnectedness with nature and each other.

With women and children bearing the brunt of conflict, poverty and the environmental crisis.

On March 3rd the delegates will visit Ol Ari Nyiro, the Laikipia nature conservancy on the edge of the rift valley, to craft a shared agenda and commitment to mobilizing faith communities to heal and protect the environment.

A major focus of the gathering will be the offering of the first-ever ire and water ceremony in Africa.

This powerful ancient Buddhist tradition will unite people across the tribal divide, men and women, elders and youth, artists, peacemakers and environmentalists from Kenya and around the world, to celebrate mother nature and awaken spiritual healing .bringing religious and civil society leaders to the UNEP and then the cradle of humanity in Kenya has a symbolic significance, and it will serve as a far-reaching reminder of what is at stake.

One of the most pressing environmental challenges facing Africa at this time is the loss of forests and wildlife poachers.

In an interview with Sraddhalu Runade, an india scientist acknowledged the comparison of India and Kenya and the capacity of the two countries in making the environment a better place for the coming generation.

"We have merged from our diverse religious background to bring solutions to not only our specific countries but the world at large, and is our role to work together with government leaders and communities to foster a new model of development, one that honors the beauty of our planet." Runade added.

"We in Africa are continuing to lose our elephant and rhino to poachers. This is a serious tragedy that we must take collective and urgent action to reverse. We need everyone on board. Spiritual and religious leaders can reach millions with their message. The wild creatures need their voice, "said conservationist Kuki Gallmann, founder of the Gallmann memorial foundation/ Gallmann Africa conservancy.

Over the past ten years, the global peace initiative of women has worked to mobilize civil society to transform communities.

Under the leadership of women, their international network has brought creative and innovative energies to guide peace –building dialogues and healing to communities in conflict and post –conflict countries, such as Israel, Sudan, Egypt, Palestine, Iraq and Pakistan.

The environmental crisis has created new urgency within faith communities to safeguard the manifold communities of life on earth.

The gathering in Kenya aims to amplify their efforts and build the global consciousness around the collective ethical and moral responsibilities of sustainable development.