FLEAT Malawi

We hosted our online FLEAT (Faith Leader Environmental Advocacy Training) Malawi on Zoom from 2-4 March 2021. The FLEAT Malawi group of faith leaders were selected to attend the online training in 2020, but due to unforeseen circumstances, we had to postpone the training to 2021. The FLEAT Malawi group consisted of 22 faith leaders from 3 faiths (Muslim, Christian, Baháʼí).

The workshop started with our Faith Leader Liaison, Rev. Berry Behr opening with a beautiful prayer, and our Executive Director, Francesca de Gasparis, welcomed the group and gave a brief history of SAFCEI and a description of our SAFCEI programmes. FrancescaShe spoke about the equal partnership SAFCEI has with FLEAT members who lead us on our work on environmental justice. She emphasised that it is a peer learning space where we find ways to support each other effectively.

Participants were vocal about the challenges in Malawi which included minimising land degradation, waste management and governmental budget and spending on environmental programmes.

We invited local FLEAT members, Dominic Niyasulu from National Youth Network on Climate Change and Sheikh Qassim Wales of Al-an’bia as guest speakers to present on the work they do within their organisations.

The meeting ended after 3 very productive mornings of sharing and learning with a work plan where three groups planned what they would like to achieve over the next six months where we will get together again for the feedback session.

Zainab Adams FLEAT Coordinator