Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ) Zambia Executive Director Maggie Mwape has called for the invocation of the Ubuntu spirit among African countries to protect the environment.
She made this call during her presentation on African values and environmental justice at the Community of Practice Meeting in Luanda, Angola, organized by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Angola Country Office, Justice and Human Rights Ministry of Angola, and UNDP Zambia.
Ms Mwape outlined the key themes and areas of focus for CEJ, emphasizing the organization’s unique identity and proud history in Zambia.
She explained that CEJ, established in 2010, is a non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting environmental justice for the most vulnerable people in society.
She highlighted CEJ’s mandate to create platforms and processes that foster access to quality and accurate information on environmental protection, extractive industries, sustainable energy, climate change, water security, and agriculture.
This, she noted, aims to enhance accountability for better decision-making and sustainable development.
Ms Mwape further discussed the concept of Ubuntu, which means “I am because we are,” emphasizing interconnectedness and communal responsibility.
She connected this African value to environmental justice, stressing that collective well-being and shared responsibility for protecting natural resources are central to CEJ’s work.
She also detailed CEJ’s efforts to promote collective action by empowering communities to advocate for environmental justice, ensuring that everyone benefits from sustainable practices.
Ms Mwape further discussed CEJ’s interventions, reporting mechanisms, and case studies that illustrate their impact.
The Community of Practice Meeting led by the UNDP Angola Country Office, and Justice and Human Rights Ministry of Angola brings together Angola’s Local Human Rights Committee Leaders, Zambia’s Centre for Environment Justice and National Human Rights Commission.
The meeting aims to address human rights challenges and co-create solutions for reporting cases.
Ms. Mwape emphasised the importance of environmental justice, environmental rights, and business & human rights.
She further urged leaders to adequately prepare for global demand of critical minerals amid the energy transition agenda.
