From the 18th to the 19th September 2026, the General Office of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) of the Order of Friars Minor participated in a meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, dedicated to interfaith dialogue, peace-building, and renewable energies.
Fr. Daniel Rodríguez Blanco, OFM, Director of the JPIC General Office, and Fr. Taucen Girsang, OFM, Vice Director, represented the Office at this initiative held at the Catholic University of East Africa. His participation reflects JPIC’s commitment to strengthen collaboration with the University, JPIC Franciscans of Africa, the Franciscan Family Association, the Franciscan Network for Peacebuilding and Environmental Justice in East Africa, and the Laudato Si’ Africa movement.
More than 300 young people for peace and care for the common home
The Interreligious Youth Forum, organised by Sr. Mary Wangari Sebastian, LSSJ, director of JPIC Franciscans of Africa, brought together more than 300 young people from different educational institutions in Nairobi, along with local JPIC religious and animators, including Br Francis Mbuvi, OFM.
Under the theme “Young people build a world of peace and justice for our Common Home for the benefit of future generations”, representatives of different religions and organisations found themselves united in diversity.
The meeting allowed them to share a common commitment to building peace, environmental justice, and renewable energy, placing young people as protagonists in the challenges affecting the present and future of the common home.
New possibilities for collaboration in Nairobi
During the visit, Fr. Daniel, and Fr. Taucen also met with the new rector of the Catholic University of East Africa, Fr. Elias Omondi Opongo, SJ.
The meeting allowed dialogue on collaboration between the Franciscan Network and the University on initiatives related to caring for the common house. Among them are the creation of a “Laudato Si’” garden and tree planting.
They also visited the Centre for Justice and Ethics, a collaborating institution with which they talked about the implementation of a project called Centro “Laudato Si’”, aimed at helping people.
A March for Peace, Climate Justice, and Renewable Energy
One of the meeting’s central moments was a march in which more than 300 young people participated alongside representatives of the different organisations present.
The mobilisation began at the Nairobi Animal Orphanage and, after about two hours of travel, reached the Catholic University of East Africa.
Through banners and different materials, young people expressed their commitment to climate justice, peace, and renewable energy. At the end of the march, they presented a statement to the press calling for a full transition to green energy.
JPIC as a Franciscan lifestyle and mission
The visit to Nairobi also allowed them to meet young Franciscan friars from the Langata training house who study at Tangaza University College.
During the dialogue, Fr. Daniel, and Fr. Taucen presented the work and functions of the JPIC General Office in Rome and invited students to deepen their knowledge and commitment to Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation.
The meeting recalled that JPIC is not limited to certain activities or projects. For Franciscan friars, it is an open invitation to recognise justice, peace, and care for creation as part of their lifestyle, witness, and mission.
