MKU Council Chairman Gaitho appeals for global attitude to effectively tackle climate change
Gaitho who is the Mount Kenya University (MKU) Pro-Chancellor and Council Chairman was speaking in China during the Fourth Dialogue on Exchanges and Learning Among Civilizations organized by the Chinese Association for International Understanding (CAFIU)
A Kenyan scholar has warned that global materialism is a disaster in the war against climate change.
To achieve the tenets of global ecological actions, the world must rethink the desires for material accumulation, conquest, domination and power supremacy, says Dr. Vincent Gaitho.
“These ecological actions in the world today revolve around the Paris Climate Agreement 2015; the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); National and Regional Green Initiatives and Technological Innovation and Sustainability,” stated the academician.
Gaitho who is the Mount Kenya University (MKU) Pro-Chancellor and Council Chairman was speaking in China during the Fourth Dialogue on Exchanges and Learning Among Civilizations organized by the Chinese Association for International Understanding (CAFIU).
These measures aim at reversing the run-away degradation, pollution, and climate change which are attributable to civilizations’ advancements which supersede natural regeneration.
“Such vices as unbridled materialism, power supremacy and domination trigger unparalleled inequality and exclusions within nations,” said Gaitho,
The forum that took place in Dunhuang City brought together political leaders, heads of international organizations, scholars and experts to discuss the significance of exchanges and dialogues between different civilizations in a world facing many conflicts.
Held under the theme “Carrying forward the Silk Road Spirit to Gather Momentum for the Implementation of the Global Civilization Initiative”, the dialogue included sessions to discuss related topics in different fields, such as the development of museums, law and technologies.
Gaitho noted that the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) fits well as a strategy that will break the barriers of inequality and exclusion so apparent in the contemporary world order.
“Indeed, the GCI philosophy that ‘all countries in the word, regardless of their size’ are equal is a stark reminder of the importance of embracing exchanges and mutual learning because all civilizations have a role to play,” he said.
Gaitho’s presentation was on Global Civilization Initiative and Ecological Actions: the Dilemma, focusing on shared values of mankind.
“The connectivity and linkages of the ancient Silk Road is today replicated and expanded through technology and innovations. The Global Civilization Initiate must be driven by conscious decisions that will address situations where we are faced with difficult choices between alternatives,” he added.
The don said contemporary civilizations are faced with evolving threats in the space of cyber security, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and a growing population with an ever-soaring demand for consumption.
“As the world seeks to reverse negativities, civilizations are with avalanche of dilemmas of rapid industrialization vs environmental degradations and climate change, geopolitical power play, conflicts, poverty and resource exploitation, among other factors, highly negates the GCI targets of equality and inclusiveness,
“At the top of decision making and actions should be the shared values of mankind. Decisions must exult peace and cooperation, respect for nature, equity and justice, and responsibility to the future generation,” the scholar stated.
At the opening ceremony, Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng said that exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations are important drivers for the advancement of human civilization and the peaceful development of the world, according to Chinese news agency, Xinhua.
Han urged nations to engage in sincere dialogue and pursue win-win cooperation, using conversation and communication to eliminate barriers and misunderstandings, enhance mutual understanding and friendly relations, promote harmonious coexistence among different civilizations, and foster closer ties among various countries.
