GIWA, UNICEF hold workshop on immunisation, climate change with faith leaders

The workshop, led by subject matter experts, provided faith leaders with up-to-date scientific data and knowledge as well as key messages to catalyse positive change within their communities.

• Shubham
• 09 October, 2023

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By: Shubham Ghosh

A TWO-DAY workshop on routine immunisation, climate change and environmental sustainability was organised for faith leaders by the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance in collaboration with UNICEF at Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand.

The workshop, led by subject matter experts, provided faith leaders with up-to-date scientific data and knowledge as well as key messages to catalyse positive change within their communities, driving forward greater health outcomes for families and children.

Upon the arrival of esteemed faith leaders and partners from seven faith institutions based in more than a dozen states and territories, they were welcomed with traditional tilak and shawl with the sound of conch shells blowing.

Under the visionary leadership of Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati, president of Parmarth Niketan and founder/chair of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, esteemed faith Leaders and partners came together to address and discuss critical health and well-being issues of all those in our communities; understand universal vaccination in India, priorities and key challenges with a focus on vulnerable communities; define the role of faith-based organisations (FBOs) as leaders to connect with communities and FBO platforms to disseminate information; launch a new 5-month campaign to champion the cause of improving health outcomes and statistics through vaccination and inspiring greater environmental consciousness in their communities.

The focus area of the 5-month campaign includes:

• Routine Immunisation: Improving community understanding of vaccination importance, particularly in underserved communities.
• Hygiene Promotion: Promoting regular toilet use and maintenance, consumption of safe water, and handwashing with soap.
• Healthy Lifestyles: Raising awareness about the impact of climate change on human health and promoting healthy lifestyles, Utilising a first-of-its-kind faith-based resource toolkit to interpret faith stories to communicate environmental Ideals.

The esteemed faith leaders and partners who attended the workshop were, among others: His Holiness Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati Ji; Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati Ji, PhD, secretary general Global Interfaith WASH Alliance; Pujya Sardar Paramjit Chandhok Ji, chairman, Delhi Gurudwara Bangla Sahib;
Pujya Acharya Vivek Muni Ji Maharaj, founder president Acharya Sushil Muni Mission, New Delhi; Pujya Goswami Sushil Ji Maharaj, president of Bhartiya Sarv Dharm Sansad; Shalini Prasad, SBC Specialist, UNICEF; Tamara Abu Sham, SBC Specialist, UNICEF; Pujya BK Sister Aarti Ji, Brahmakumaris Uttarakhand; Shri Sanjay Rai Ji, national secretary of Harijan Sevak Sangh and Ganga Nandini, director of Project Implementation Global Interfaith WASH Alliance.

Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati Ji, said, “All religions and prayers talk about unity, harmony and oneness.Our scriptures give us the message of unity and diversity therefore this should be our role and this should be our goal. This is a divine plan, if we all move together, we will succeed.”

He further said we should dispel fear and awaken the communities with speeches, sermons, and messages regarding the importance of vaccination. The message that ‘vaccination is not a threat but life to children’ should generate confidence to say yes to vaccination.

Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati Ji believes that faith leaders and faith based messaging can serve to expand their definition of peace to include issues of water, sanitation, hygiene, environmental sustainability as well as issues pertinent to maintaining happy, health and harmonious societies.

She added that post Covid, the importance of vaccination and immunisation has become a key aspect of our communities health and therefore this is a great new arena that faith leaders should come forward for in order to sensitize and raise awareness amongst the masses.

Pujya Goswami Sushil Ji Maharaj said that it is necessary to create confidence in the public about vaccination through religion and faith and if this message is sent through religious leaders, there will be a wonderful change. He said that vaccination is necessary not only for children but also for the nation.

Pujya Sardar Paramjit Chandok ji said that if the message of vaccination is spread through our stories, Granthi Saheb Katha, speeches, social media and other platforms, then the voice will go far. He said that big programs are organised in the Gurudwara in the coming months of November, December and January, through which he suggested organising camps to spread the message to the public.