ASEZ WAO Global Forum 2023

There are still global issues that mankind has not yet solved even after passing through the long tunnel of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the climate crisis. ASEZ WAO, World Mission Society Church of God Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group, carries out various environmental activities around the world with knowledge and action to respond to the climate crisis that is worsening on a daily basis.

On June 8, an event was held to seek specific action plans to save the earth and mankind from the climate crisis. It was ASEZ WAO Global Forum 2023 held at New Jerusalem Pangyo Temple. Under the theme, “One Step Closer to a Green Earth,” a total of 2,300 people from all walks of life attended the forum, including the Director of Asia Climate Change Education Center Jeong Dai-yeun, Assemblyman Jin Sung-joon, Yonsei University Professor Biswajit Sarkar, Broadcaster and Environmental Activist Zahid Hussain, and ASEZ WAO members at home and abroad.

In his opening address, General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol emphasized the importance of the role of young adults for dealing with increasing climate refugees, and said, “One small step that ASEZ WAO took in Korea has motivated people on the other side of the world to take action for a better world. In the same way, I hope that the one step we take at this forum will become one giant leap for mankind.” Assemblyman Jin Sung-joon delivered a congratulatory address, saying, “ASEZ WAO’s message, ‘Let us save the earth from the beginning to the end as one family,’ means a lot to me. I’m truly grateful to the organization for taking the lead in coping with the climate crisis which, in fact, everyone should pay attention to.”

The forum began with a video keynote speech by the Minister of Environment of Peru Albina Ruiz on the topic, “Environmental Issues and the Role of Young Adults.” After that, lectures by experts in each field and presentations by ASEZ WAO activists were given. Director of Asia Climate Change Education Center Jeong Dai-yeun emphasized that we should face the reality of environmental issues caused by industrialization, and that each member of society should make every effort to protect the environment. Broadcaster Hussain said climate change is not confined to a few countries, but that everyone should take action to protect the earth environment. Professor Sarka suggested making a research to save mankind from global warming, such as resource circulation; and Peru Continental University Chancellor Fernando Ipenza gave a video lecture where he suggested ESG management¹ as a solution to climate crisis. They expected ASEZ WAO would take the lead in encouraging more young adults to participate in environmental cleanups.

1. ESG stands for environmental, social and governance, as a strategy for how companies can responsibly manage these three factors in their operations.

ASEZ WAO activists in Germany, the U.S., the Philippines, and others, introduced the purpose and effects of ASEZ WAO’s environmental protection projects such as “Green Workplace,” “Green Earth,” “Mother’s Forest,” “Blue Ocean,” and “No More GPGP,” and encouraged people to participate in the projects.

On this day, young adults from 37 countries were appointed as the “Church of God Young Adult Global Environmental Leaders.” They made a resolution to inform the citizens of the seriousness of the environmental problems, draw citizens’ interest and participation, and take action together to protect the environment. Keller Nikolett, who was appointed as an environmental leader on behalf of Hungary, showed his will to raise environmental awareness, saying, “Many people hesitate to do environmental activities, thinking, ‘How can I make a differenceby taking action alone?’ I feel the responsibility to persuade people that we can make a difference when we take action together.”

The ASEZ WAO members who attended the forum said they would not stop working for a green earth. Shamiso Ngoshi from Harare, Zimbabwe, expressed her determination, saying, “In Zimbabwe, ASEZ WAO does a great job of raising environmental awareness. We will continue to set a good example by actively conducting environmental cleanups in cooperation with government agencies.” Andre Canepa from Guadalajara, Mexico, who works as a teacher, said, “We’re making every effort to protect the environment in our daily life by using water bottles, and so on. I will share the way to protect the environment with my students and co-workers all the more so that we can altogether take action.”

카카오톡 공유하기