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Safcei

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Areas of expertise & Fields of activity:	Sustainable Development: Biodiversity Biotechnology Capacity-building Climate change Consumption and production patterns Education Energy Finance Protecting and managing the natural resources Sustainable development for Africa Sustainable development in a globalizing world
Geographic scope:	Regional Africa
Country of activity:	Zimbabwe Mozambique Eswatini Zambia Botswana Angola Malawi Namibia South Africa
Millennium Development Goals:	Ensure environmental sustainability
Mission statement:	VISION Faith communities committed to cherishing living earth. MISSION We are an institute of people of many faiths, united in our diversity through our common commitment to earthkeeping. Our aim is to support the faith communities in fulfilling their environmental & socio-economic responsibility. In March 2005 the Faith Communities of South Africa met together in a national conference to consider the state of the natural environment and environmental justice. There was overwhelming agreement that there needed to be action and a conviction that the faith communities should be involved in environmental care. It was therefore unanimously agreed to establish the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI). Its purpose would be to raise awareness and encourage action by the faith communities to care for the natural environment and promote eco-justice – that is ecological and economic justice. In July of 2005 Nobel Peace Laureate, Professor Wangari Maathai, officially launched SAFCEI at a widely representative gathering at the Delta Park Environment Centre, Johannesburg. 1. OBJECTIVES In the spirit of our respective faiths, through collaboration, networking, research & action, our objectives are to: 1. raise environmental awareness 2. engage in formulating policy & ethical guidelines within our faith communities 3. facilitate environmental responsibility & action 4. confront environmental & socio-economic injustices 5. support environmental training and learning. We uphold, as core values, the principles of the Earth Charter I. Respect and care for the community of life Following these four broad commitments: 1. Respect Earth and life in all its diversity. 2. Care for the community of life with understanding, compassion and love. 3. Build democratic societies that are just, participatory, sustainable and peaceful. 4. Secure Earth’s bounty and beauty for present and future generations. II. Ecological integrity Protect and restore the integrity of Earth’s ecological systems, with special concern for biological diversity and the natural processes that sustain life. III. Social and economic justice Eradicate poverty as an ethical, social, and environmental imperative. IV. Democracy, non-violence and peace Strengthen democratic institutions at all levels, and provide transparency and accountability in governance, inclusive participation in decision making and access to justice. Treat all living beings with respect and consideration. Promote a culture of tolerance, non-violence and peace
Year established:	2005
Year of registration:	2006
Organizational structure:	SAFCEI has a Board of Directors consisting of faith representatives from various backgrounds. The board makes executive decisions on the operations and focus of the organisation. The board also enables contact with their wider representational constituencies. Internally, SAFCEI has an Executive Director who oversees lobbying and advocacy work. Thereafter, there are managers for operations internally and for community work through what we refer to as "eco-congregations". Support staff and specialists assist in the work of SAFCEI, while partners enhance and further enrich connections and ambitions. SAFCEI works with faith leadership, with grass roots faith communities and engages in discussion with government parastatal and civil society, lobbying for better environmental standards and practice from an ethical and moral stand point. Safcei speaks for the religious communities on issues of eco-justice including climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental ethics and other related topics. The organisation has a specific climate change and energy, eco congregation and youth ambassador programme.
Number and type of members:	Type of members: Large Congregation or Denomination Faith based or small congregation Associate member: Individual, environmental or other
Affiliation with NGO networks:	Wide variety of organisations including: WWF, WESSA Wildlife & environment Society, EJN - Economic Justice Network, SACC - South African Council of Churches, IPACC - Indigenous Peoples of Africa Co-ordinating Committee, Earthlife Africa, Energy Caucus etc
Funding structure:	Membership fees or dues Donations and grants from domestic sources Foreign and international grants

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