Demanding for climate justice and promoting environmental advocacies, students and youth groups marched together during the Youth Climate Strike held at the Freedom Park, Roxas Avenue, Davao City last November 29.

Before the march, AdDU’s Ecoteneo office organized a short awarding ceremony to recognize offices in the university which best promotes environmental stewardship.

The School of Education Dean’s office received the Laudato Si Award for green office while the Ignatian Spirituality and Formation Office, together with the Center for Renewable Energy and Technology and other notable individuals accepted certificates of recognition for their dedication towards Ecoteneo’s aspirations in caring for the environment.

Ecoteneo Director Carmela Marie Santos emphasized the need for this kind of event to raise awareness of the current climate condition, emphasizing the importance of pushing for climate justice.

“It is through education, formation, right and appropriate technology and individualized help that we can stand together and face climate change. Together we are change-makers,” Santos explained.

One of the participants of the Youth Climate Strike is Vince Byron Malikay, a first-year Education student of AdDU, expressed to make use of the available technology and the different social media platforms to voice out advocacies.

“We are the stewards of the environment, so it is expected for us to assert for climate justice. Even through our own little ways, we can help protect our environment,” he said.

This movement was done in solidarity with Global Climate Strike. The said call for climate action was supported by the Department of Education, issuing a memorandum for school heads and teachers to excuse students from their classes who will be joining the localized climate strikes.