Fr. Charlie B. Chilufya, S.J.

We’re thrilled to continue sharing the stories of young advocates shaping the discourse on financial justice and climate action on the global stage. Sierra Leonean Foday Bangura and Kenyan Lavina Lempiras join Congolese-American Jelayaka and Kenyan Ellyanne Wanjiku Chlystun-Githae in this crusade for change.

Our young leaders are supported by the Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network – Africa (JENA) and the World Council of Churches (WCC). They will be addressing side events today, 21st June, at the Marriot Ambassador Hotel in Paris. These events are precursors to the Global Financial Pact Summit scheduled for 22-23 June in Paris.

Ellyanne Wanjiku Chlystun-Githae, Africa’s youngest climate finance and biodiversity champion, uses her platform to underscore the bond between financial justice, climate change, and sustainability. In her powerful keynote speech, she emphasizes how financial injustices like high-interest rates, unfair credit ratings, limited aid, tax evasion, and debt hinder the ability of African countries to combat and adapt to climate change effectively. Ellyanne also champions for a new global financial pact that prioritizes people over profit and shares equitably the global responsibility of climate change mitigation and adaptation. Read her full address here

Jealaika takes the stage to spotlight the influence of the existing global financial system on children’s access to fundamental human rights: education, health, and social protection, especially in Africa and the global South. Drawing attention to the stark disparities in education and health expenditure and social protection, Jelayaka calls for a reformation of the global financial system, not as an act of charity, but as an act of justice. Read more here

Foday Bangura, a child rights advocate from Sierra Leone, uses his platform to highlight the dire need for investment in Africa’s rapidly growing child population. In a powerful and enlightening keynote address, Foday underscores the vital importance of budget transparency and accountability in ensuring funds allocated for children’s development are used effectively and reach the children who need them most. Read his full address here: [Foday Bangura’s Keynote Address]

Lavina Lempiras, a proud Maasai girl from the Samburu region of Kenya, shifts the conversation’s focus to the micro-level impact of global financial injustice, particularly on girls’ education in Africa. In her poignant intervention, Lavina sheds light on how unfair financial practices undermine the education of girls and how this, in turn, leads to a cascade of socio-economic issues. She calls for a global financial system that is transparent, accountable, and fair. Read her full intervention here: [Lavina’s Intervention]

These powerful addresses by Jealaika, Foday and Lavina are a rallying call to global leaders, investors, and individuals, pressing them to rectify systemic imbalances and injustices to create a world where every child has a fair and equal chance to flourish.

Join us in supporting these young leaders as they advocate for change and influence policies. Let us unite our voices to reshape our world into one where every child, regardless of nationality or circumstance, can live in a world that is just, fair, and sustainable.

For more on their stories and how you can join the cause, please [Link to More Information].

Thank you for your continued support.