School Strike for Climate Change

On May 24, the Centre Oblat helped organize a gesture of solidarity with the global School Strike for Climate movement, which has been endorsed by Pope Francis.

At St. Paul University in Ottawa, a crowd gathered outside the main entrance to hear music performed by students and hear remarks from Rector Chantal Beauvais, Professor Heather Eaton, Indigenous Activities Coordinator Sebastien Pilon and student association president Giovanni Aaron. The Centre Oblat’s Joe Gunn served as Moderator.

The School Strike for Climate movement began in August 2018 when 16 year old Greta Thunberg sat in protest outside the Swedish Parliament. Since then, she has spoken at international climate events, met the pope, and been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Greta has said: “In order to properly address the crisis, we need our educational institutions to be hubs of sustainability that provide learning and teaching to prepare today’s students to not only be those that lead a just transition, but to prepare for a changing world…”

May 24 had added importance for the Centre Oblat, as it marked the 4th anniversary of Laudato Si, the pope’s encyclical on the environment.

A large banner signed by students of St. Paul university was later taken to Ottawa City Hall and Parliament Hill, to join the hundreds of student marchers there.

By Joe Gunn – Executive Director – Centre Oblate: A Voice for Justice