By Ken Jacob, DWU journalism student
Students from Divine Word University took part in the Youth Climate Action Day to help raise awareness about environmental protection and sustainable development.
The event was held last week at Ambarina Primary School with the support of World Vision International, under the theme “Our Climate, Our Action – Youth Leading Solutions.”
Students from the Department of Social Work and Religious Studies under the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences attended the program to share knowledge on environmental issues.
Senior Lecturer Miskus Eadique Lapan said the awareness program was important because young people must understand environmental issues and the importance of sustainable development.
He explained that the purpose of the visit was to help students relate what they learn in class to real community situations.
“For the students, what they already know in class can be related to what is happening in the community. These young people here are the ones we came to raise awareness to,” Lapan said.
He said it is important for youths to understand how resources used today can still benefit future generations.
“If we have resources now, we must think about how they will also be available for the generation tomorrow. We must ask if our practices today are sustainable,” he said.
Third-year Social and Religious Studies student Emilton Naulis said he was happy to be part of the program and contribute to environmental awareness.
Naulis said many communities in Papua New Guinea face environmental challenges such as water pollution, plastic pollution, coastal erosion and loss of biodiversity.
He said students were at the event to share simple strategies communities can use to protect the environment.
“We are here to give people approaches and strategies on how they can keep their communities and environment healthy,” he said.
He encouraged communities to practice environmentally friendly habits such as reducing waste and applying the principles of reuse, recycle and reduce.
Another student representative, Wendy Tom, also a third-year Social and Religious Studies student, said the activity is connected to what they study at the university.
She said sustainable development and environmental issues are part of their course, and the program gave them the opportunity to share their knowledge with the community.
Tom said climate change is already affecting communities through rising temperatures, coastal erosion and sea level rise.
She encouraged people to adopt environmentally friendly practices such as using renewable energy and reducing waste.
“We encourage people to use eco-friendly practices and apply the principle of reduce, reuse and recycle to minimize pollution,” she said.
Tom also suggested that communities consider using solar panels instead of generators because solar energy does not cause environmental harm.
The students worked alongside World Vision International staff during the event to advocate for safe environmental practices and climate awareness.
Students and staff members at the event also expressed gratitude to World Vision International for supporting and making the program possible.
Organizers said the Youth Climate Action Day aims to empower young people to become leaders in protecting the environment and promoting sustainable practices in their communities.
