Environmental Justice workshop proves beneficial for people in Aitape, Sandaun Province.

A three-day workshop on environmental justice coordinated by the Diocesan Caritas services, funded and facilitated by Caritas PNG, saw 24 participants from various areas in the Aitape Deanery attending.

The participants consisted of 4 females and 20 males from villages such as Yakamul, Paup, Kriel, Pes, Ali Island, Poltulul, Arop, Warapu and Malol, including some diocesan employers and religious.

the first day session was on basic knowledge of HIV/AIDS facilitated by Tau Tovope (National Trainer from the National AIDS Council). And the remaining two days sessions were on various topics concerning environmental justice such as basic awareness on the types of laws in our country which included the Constitution of PNG, Laws of PNG, Court System in PNG, Leadership Code and Ombudsman Commission, Environment Act, Forestry Act and understanding the concept of Carbon Trade.

The environmental justice sessions were facilitated by Grace (a lecturing lawyer at UPNG who does liaison work for Caritas PNG coordinating similar workshops throughout the country.

Also during Grace's time spent in Aitape, she was also able to assist some of the participants who were fortunate to seek advice about various issues of concern on current developments that have occurred in the Aitape-Lumi District.

Aitape Star was also told by some of the participants that they commended the Diocesan Cartias Coordinator for making available the opportunity to empower the people with such valuable knowledge.