UNEP launches “FEEL Programme” for environment education with Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur

Surat : When it comes to the current environmental disaster, children and young adults are particularly at risk. This is a sobering truth, but it’s also true that today’s youth have the power to steer the world out of this catastrophe and towards a more sustainable future. It is crucial to focus on both educating young minds and inspiring them to take action in order to solve the world’s environmental problems.

Since the turn of the century, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has acknowledged the importance of faith-based organisations in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur, the first organisation of its kind to partner with the United Nations Environment Programme on a global scale by launching the Faith for Earth Empathy Leadership (FEEL) Programme, aims to instill environmental leadership among children and youth around the world. It has been granted special Consultative Status by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC).

The ‘FEEL’ Programme is a joint effort between Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur and the Faith for Earth Initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The FEEL programme was curated and developed with the intention of inspiring young people all around the world to take action on climate change, protect the environment, and work towards a more sustainable future.

Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji is a spiritual luminary, worldwide humanitarian, and the founder of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur; he is also the inspiration for the FEEL Programme. A “Faith for Earth Councillor” since the year 2021. Volunteers from Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur have been working closely with UNEP India and UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi for the last two years to develop an all-encompassing experience curriculum.

Dr. Iyad Abumoghli, Founder & Director of the Faith for Earth Initiative, UNEP recognises that “the ‘FEEL’ programme is a testament to the incredible potential of empathy in action. I congratulate Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji and SRMD for taking up this ambitious initiative that will inspire young children and teenagers irrespective of the faith they profess to focus on critical environmental issues. It is this type of collaboration, along with the critical institutional, including from UNEPs India Office, that will inspire a new wave of action for People and the Planet”.

Mr. Atul Bagai, UNEP Country Head, India shares that, “The FEEL Programme introduces values and education for the environment that foster a ‘Culture of Compassion’. This is a cornerstone of Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji’s teachings, which applies not only to people, but also to animals, nature, and ecosystems. We at UNEP are delighted to partner with Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur in this movement to create a lasting impact.”

Mrs. Dia Mirza, UNEP India Goodwill Ambassador who was the Chief Guest at the launch, applauded the programme’s approach saying, “No sustainable action is possible in the long term, unless we truly care, and it comes from a place of empathy and love. The way the FEEL curriculum simplifies the 18 Sustainable Development Goals will teach young learners the practical action of being caring and empathetic.”

The FEEL curriculum incorporates practical, actionable modules for both children and teens, which encourage them to adopt personal lifestyle changes, which will drive collective change.

Mrs. Sapna Shroff, Head of Shrimad Rajchandra Divinetouch , a global chain of value classes,  shares the vision that went behind crafting the FEEL curriculum, “Every external environmental problem has internal roots. Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji’s compassion has always extended effortlessly to every form of life, showing us that caring for nature should actually become our nature. This thought is encompassed across FEEL’s six modules – infusing life into learnings, and feelings into action.”

The holistic FEEL curriculum incorporates six important aspects of environmental consciousness including waste management, reducing & managing plastic waste, water conservation, afforestation, maintaining balanced & healthy ecosystems, combating climate change & renewable energy.

After the completion of the 18-hour course over 6 months, every participant will receive a certificate and join the distinguished community of young “Empathy Leaders,” and get opportunities to combat real-life environmental issues. The programme has already engaged over 800 volunteers, who will be imparting the curriculum across 250 plus Shrimad Rajchandra Divinetouch centres across the globe and also through SRMD partner schools and educational Institutions in Phase 1. In its next phase, the programme will be rolled out to UNEP affiliated organisations and universities across the globe.

Mr. Afroz Shah, UNEP Champion of the Earth shared his heartfelt thoughts, “I have been inspired by Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji’s words about how fighting is immature, and acceptance is mature. We have been fighting this planet and its other species for far too long. And the acceptance of our planet and co-existence is what the FEEL programme reflects and encourages young leaders to do. The impact of the programme will resonate for generations.”

The FEEL Programme is a milestone in environmental education for children, and a testament to a spiritual organisation’s power to lead the planet’s healing.

Watch the FEEL Programme promo here:  https://youtu.be/O52OpgJN7Hk