{"id":21625,"date":"2026-01-09T18:47:53","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T18:47:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ofmjpic.org\/?p=21625"},"modified":"2026-01-09T18:47:53","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T18:47:53","slug":"franciscan-youth-forum-for-peace-fraternity-and-ecology-brings-together-320-young-people-in-rwanda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ofmjpic.org\/en\/franciscan-youth-forum-for-peace-fraternity-and-ecology-brings-together-320-young-people-in-rwanda\/","title":{"rendered":"Franciscan Youth Forum for Peace, Fraternity, and Ecology Brings Together 320 Young People in Rwanda"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rwanda \u2013 2025
\n<\/strong>Theme: \u201cA Safe Earth Cultivates a Peaceful World!\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n

From the 26<\/span>th<\/span>-29<\/span>th<\/span> December, 2025, the Autonomous Custody of Our Lady of Kibeho, Burundi-Rwanda, through its Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Commission (JPIC), organised the Franciscan Youth Forum for Peace, Fraternity, and Ecology, which brought together 320 young people from four parishes entrusted to the friars in Rwanda.<\/span><\/p>\n

The forum took place at the Padri Vjeko School in the parish of Kivumu, Diocese of Kabgayi, and brought together young people eager to learn, reflect, and actively commit to building a more just and peaceful world in harmony with creation.<\/span><\/p>\n

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For four days of intense and enriching experience, participants engaged in formation, reflection, prayer, and fellowship in an atmosphere steeped in Franciscan spirituality. According to Fr. Jean Eric Mutabazi, OFM, Custodian Animator of JPIC, the forum’s main objective was “to awaken in young people a deep sense of responsibility for building peace, caring for creation, and personal growth, inspired by Franciscan values.”<\/span><\/p>\n

The programme included presentations by various speakers who addressed key issues for young people’s personal lives and the future of the planet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fr. Emmanuel, OFM, emphasized that there can be no safe world without peace, insisting that peace must first be built in hearts, communities, and societies, and reminding everyone that peace and ecology are inseparable.<\/span><\/p>\n

A second speaker delved into the importance of positive and critical thinking, encouraging young people to train their minds to discern what is good, true, and life-giving, and to consciously filter the messages they receive in their daily lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

The third speaker offered practical and motivational guidance, reminding young people that their future is in their own hands. They were encouraged to be focused, productive, and realistic, to recognize their potential and their limitations, and to courageously and hopefully take responsibility for their own lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

Faithful to the Franciscan spirit, the forum included a concrete action of ecological commitment. The young people participated in a tree-planting activity, during which more than 800 trees were planted. Wearing T-shirts with the slogan \u201c<\/span>Called to Heal the Earth, Called to Build Peace<\/span><\/i>,\u201d the participants visibly expressed their commitment to caring for creation and promoting peace.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t