SEI members during the interactive climate capacity workshop at UNILAK

Opening Remarks by the Executive Director of SEI

It is a privilege to welcome all participants and Save Environment Initiative (SEI) members to this training on environmental management and climate change.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the University of Lay Adventists of Kigali (UNILAK) for hosting this event and supporting our shared vision for a healthier, more sustainable environment.

We gather today to tackle the defining challenges of our era: environmental degradation and climate change. Protecting our ecosystems demands urgent, collective actions. As SEI, we arrive fully committed not only to engaging deeply with today's training, but to taking every skill and insight we receive and putting them into direct practice. Equipping our members with these practical tools is essential as we drive SEI’s mission forward, building climate resilience, leading community restoration, and securing a sustainable future for all.

Concorde Kubwimana, Executive Director of SEI

The workshop focused on strengthening environmental literacy and nurturing youth leadership as key drivers of sustainable change. Through interactive sessions, members gained tools to:

• Understand core concepts in climate change science and local environmental challenges

• Apply practical mitigation and adaptation strategies in real-world contexts

• Design and lead community-based environmental initiatives

• Integrate sustainability principles into personal, academic, and organizational activities

Keynote Address: Insights from REMA

The training featured a keynote presentation by Jean Luc Rukwaya, Environmental and Climate Change Education Officer at the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA). Rukwaya provided a comprehensive overview of the urgency surrounding environmental protection, emphasizing that safeguarding natural ecosystems is fundamental to human health, food security, and socio-economic resilience across Rwanda and globally.

During his address, Rukwaya highlighted how severe climate impacts ranging from extreme weather events to habitat loss pose direct threats to community livelihoods. He called on SEI members to bridge awareness and action by embedding sustainable practices into their daily routines through proactive waste reduction, water conservation, and the adoption of clean energy resources.He emphasized the power of digital platforms and social media to disseminate accurate climate information, encouraging participants to lead constructive dialogue and drive grassroots environmental solutions

Jean Luc Rukwaya, Environmental and Climate Change Education Officer at REMA

Academic Partnership & Future Impact

Dr. Abias Maniragaba, Dean of Environmental Studies at UNILAK, commended the Save Environment Initiative for its leadership in advancing climate education and youth action. He emphasized that the true measure of environmental education lies in translating classroom knowledge into measurable, community-driven solutions. With strategic guidance from institutions like REMA and the academic foundation provided by UNILAK, SEI members emerge fully equipped to champion sustainable development, lead local conservation efforts, and contribute meaningfully to global climate action.

Dr. Abias Maniragaba, Dean of Environmental Studies at UNILAK

Empowering Action for a Sustainable Future

Save Environment Initiative (SEI) is dedicated to transforming environmental knowledge into tangible, community-driven action. Through targeted capacity-building workshops and hands on the trainings, SEI aligns its programs with Rwanda’s national sustainability priorities while advancing global climate goals. This initiative reaffirmed SEI’s commitment to empowering young environmental leaders and fostering a culture of innovation, stewardship, and collaboration for a greener, more resilient future.

SEI TEAM PHOTO