Greening the Globe for Sustainable LivingCSI Synod Dept of Ecological Concerns

A four- day long International Eco- Conference was inaugurated by Most Rev. P. C. Singh, the President of the National Council of Churches in India and the Moderator of the Church of North India at the CSI Synod Centre in Chennai. The Conference has been organized by the consortium of Higher Educational Institutions of the Church of South India (CSI). “In the year 2025, the level of Co2in the Atmosphere will increase to 500 ppm (part(s) per million)due to various anthropological activities, but the allowable range is only 50ppm!”, cautioned Prof. Dr Joseph Mar Dionysius Metropolitan; the Vice-Chairperson of the Ecological Commission of the Orthodox Church,during the inauguration session. Rt Rev. Dr Vadappally Prasada Rao, the Deputy Moderator of the Church of South India, presided over the meeting. Rev. Dr Daniel Rathnakara Sadananda, the General Secretary of the Church of South India, welcomed the dignitaries and delegates who are consisted of the Scientists, Research scholars, and Eco activists from across the globe.

Rt Rev. M. Joseph; Chairperson, CSI Synod Ecological Concerns Committee and the Bishop in CSI Diocese of Madurai Ramnadu, Rt Rev. Dr J. George Stephen; Bishop in CSI Diocese of Madras, Dr Paul Dayabharan; Principal, Bishop Heber College, Trichy and the Chairman of the consortium of Colleges of CSI, Dr Manoj Kurian; Coordinator, Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, World Council of Churches, Geneva, Mr Dinesh Suna; Ecumenical Water Network, Geneva, and Rev. Asir Ebenezer; General Secretary, National Council of Churches in India addressed the gathering.

There will be paper presentations, workshops, video documentary screenings, group discussions, and presentations of the stories of people in this conference on issues related to conservation of biological diversity, restoration of plant and animal species, alternate energy production system, water management, eco-justice and Eco-theology concepts. NGOs and self-help groups who are involved in the ecological conservation will be sharing their views to achieve the eco mission.

Prof. Dr Mathew Koshy Punnackad, the Director of the Ecological Concerns Department of the Church of South India and the General Convener of the International Eco- Conference explained the concept and the structure of the conference and expressed the hope that the concerned people will let their ears to the voices and the pleas emerge in this conference.

The GSP training to teachers of Madurai diocese held at American College, Madurai on 9th July 2019. Bishop M Joseph, Chairman of the Synod Ecological Committee, presided over the meeting. The officers of the Diocese and the Principal of the College offered felicitations. Rev. Satish. the eco director of the Diocese and the GSP facilitator Mr Noble Prince made all arrangements for the programme. Dr Mathew Koshy Punnackad, Hon. Director of CSI Synod Department of Ecological Concerns gave leadership for the training. Given the feedback of some of the delegates.

Ms M Indra Mary, CSI Higher Secondary School, Madurai: It is really a great programme as it is the need of the hour. His speech motivated everyone to become a good teacher as well as eco-warriors. His lecture was very clear about why we need this programme, which are the places where it is implemented and how to motivate children as they are the citizens of future generations. It was a very inspiring one and we will join the Green School programme this year.

Mr G Edwin, CMS Higher Secondary School Madurai: This is the first time I am attending such a meeting and we will plant shade-giving trees and food fruit-bearing trees on our campus. This meeting was much informative and useful. We will reduce the usage of plastic in our campus.

Ms Ida Mercy, CSI High School, Passumalai, Madurai: It is very useful and helps us to know what is happening around the world and also made us know how to minimise the air pollution and water pollution and thereby reducing the Global Warming. So, we must first teach the students properly how to make the environment pollution free and to reduce the usage of plastic. I am proud that our school has won the yellow award last year I am also glad that I am a GSP coordinator

Ms H E Jabarani, CSI Girls Higher Secondary School, Passumalai: By this programme today I shall take a pledge to protect nature. I shall try to update and find out solutions for the environmental problems like pollution depletion of natural resources loss of biodiversity. We will give our concern to nature’s rhythm that I shall take my students to be more aware of the importance to protect nature and also to stand for the sustainable development of our country. Your presentation was highly thought-provoking and informative.

Ms G Rathinamala, NOYES Higher Secondary School Madurai: This program was a very useful one. The book, Green Protocol Guidelines, is a very useful one for doing our audit. Dr Koshy’s speech about the GSP was thought-provoking and inspiring. We have already joined and submitted the audit and we have got the orange award and we assure that this time we will bag the green award.

Ms S Nirmala, LPN School, Madurai: Our School will join the GSP programme this time. Your class was indeed very motivating and much informative. In future, we will incorporate the ideas of ecological concerns in all our programmes. Thanking you for arranging this programme in a well-organised manner.

Ms S Mighavelraja, CSI Higher Secondary School, Pasumalai: Your class was inspiring, mind storming, and highly motivating. It is not only about getting the award, but it is our concern towards the future and responsibilities in preserving the existing ecosystem. Warm regards to Mr Koshy.

Ms E Vanitha, CSI Higher Secondary School, Narimedu, Madurai: The programme was very useful and interesting. This programme has changed the outlook and our attitude. Our School will try to get involved with more green activities and hope we will get the green award this year. We will try to use our natural resources in a judicious and efficient manner.

Ms P G S Shirley, OCPM Girls Higher Secondary School, Tallakulam, Madurai: This programme was really very inspiring. The presentation on environmental issues and the suggestions given were thought-provoking. The social problems that we are facing are mainly due to ignorance and lack of concern towards nature. Global Warming and climate change are mainly due to the over-exploitation of natural resources by the developed nations. We have a notion that human life is progressing with the help of Science and Technology. Last year, we won the yellow award for our score. This year we will try to get the green award. Thanks for making this day more fantastic.

Mr Joseph Dinakaran, Madurai: Green schools programme is really an inspiring one for the schools which will help to make a better society. I would suggest you start the Green Schools Programme in special education schools also. It is good to arrange separate awards for the special schools.

Prof. Dr Mathew Koshy Punnackad
Hon. Director,
CSI Synod Department of Ecological Concerns

The Green School training Programme training of Telangana was held at Medak diocesan Office in Secundrabad on the 19th May 2019. Rev. Cecil James Victor, the director of Pastoral Concerns, inaugurated the programme. Prof. Dr Mathew Koshy Punnackad, the Hon. Director of the Ecological Concerns Department of the Church of South India (CSI) Synod, gave leadership for the one-day training programme. Rev. M. Jayanand, the Eco director of Medak Diocese, and Rev. Ramulu Emmanuel, Eco director of Karimnagar Diocese, addressed the gathering of teachers Mr Noble Prince Sam, Green School facilitator, coordinated the programme.

Prof. Dr Mathew Koshy Punnackad
Hon.Director of Ecological Concerns,
CSI Synod

The CSI Synod Department of Ecological Concerns is organizing an international conference from 1stto 4thAugust 2019 at CSI Synod Centre, Chennai. If you are interested, we would like to give you a slot of 10 minutes to show a documentary on the topic “How Green is my College” on 3rdAugust (Saturday). Your College will get good visibility/recognition on an international level. We expect the Principal/ Head/authorized person to say a few words (1minute) and the documentary should be on the green initiatives in your College (maximum 10 minutes). We are planning to honour the best Green College with a cash award. Second and third will also get awards. If your College is planning to present a documentary, kindly inform before 15thJuly 2019.

Emailcsi.oikos@gmail.com
Mobile /WhatsApp 9847275754

Prof. Dr Mathew Koshy Punnackad
Hon. Director
CSI Synod Department of Ecological Concerns

The CSI Synod Department of Ecological Concerns is organizing an international conference from 1stto 4thAugust 2019 at CSI Synod Centre, Chennai. If you are interested, we would like to give you a slot of 10 minutes to show a documentary onthe topic “How Green is my School” on 3rdAugust (Saturday). Your School will get good visibility/recognition atthe international level. The documentary should be on the green initiatives in your School (maximum 10 minutes). We are planning to honour the best Green school with a cash award. Second and third willalso get awards. If your School is planning to present a documentary, kindly inform before 15thJuly 2019.

Email csi.oikos@gmail.com
Mobile /WhatsApp: 9847275754

Prof. Dr Mathew Koshy Punnackad
Hon. Director
CSI Synod Department of Ecological Concerns

The Church of South India, which is popularly known as CSI, is the only Church in India which has mentioned Ecological Concerns as one of the prominent missions in the Constitution and in the Mission statement of the Church. The Church of South India Department of Ecological Concerns is empowering congregations to take a prophetic stand against Climate injustice. We support any development that fulfils the requirement of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This short video focuses on various activities of the CSI Department of Ecological concerns through the campaigns for Climate Justice ministry, Green Protocol and Green School Programme.The Green Protocol is a programme of the Church of South India in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Please do watch the video and give your valuable responses.

The Hon.Director of the CSI Synod Ecological Concerns addressed the staff of the USPG on 23rd May 2019 in London. The USPG has been supporting the Green School Programme of the CSI. Hon.Director preached during the Rogation Service of Woodford Valley with Archers Gate, Salisbury, UK as per the invitation of Rev.Dr.Mike Perry, vicar of the Church.

Prof.Dr.Mathew Koshy Punnackad
Hon.director, CSI Synod Department of Ecological Concerns

The second workshop on Green Miracles was held at CSI Holy Trinity Church, Valparai from 13th to 15 th May 2019. The participants presented 15 Green Miracles. The participants agreed to rewrite the miracles they presented. Rev.Sunilraj Philip (Director of communications of CSI Synod), Prof.Dr.Mathew Koshy Punnackad and Prof.Dr.Anne Susan Koshy served as the Resource persons for the workshop. Rev. Jayaraj District Chairman, Rev.Wesly and Rev.Jerin Sester made all local arrangements for the programme .

Dr.Mathew Koshy Punnackadu
Hon.director of CSI Synod Department of Ecological Concerns