Local Perspectives on Climate Justice and Development

In 2026, the Philippines will assume the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and host the 48th ASEAN Summit. This puts the country at the center of key future debates on the transformation of the energy sector, adaptation to climate change and the prevention of natural disasters – issues that are becoming increasingly urgent for the entire region, especially for those population groups that are vulnerable due to their living conditions.

The KAAD Alumni Seminar in the Philippines, organized by the Association of KAAD Alumni in the Philippines (AKAP), takes up these thematic lines and transfers them into the context of church, civil society and local development. It explores the question of how international commitments, for example within the framework of ASEAN, can be translated into concrete action strategies on the ground – with a view to strengthening affected communities and making protection needs visible.

The starting point for the discussions is the insight that global solutions are only viable if they remain linked to local experiences and responsibilities. The focus is therefore on the everyday perspectives of those people who are directly affected by the consequences of climate change: Farmers and fishermen, families in areas threatened by flooding or young people involved in environmental initiatives. 

In an exchange with experts, church representatives and members of the alumni network, strategies will be developed on how development initiatives, educational work and environmental programs can be interlinked in such a way that they strengthen the resilience of these groups. The seminar aims to show that sustainable change is not only achieved through political agreements, but also through joint learning, solidarity and a growing sense of responsibility for the different realities of life on the ground.