Let us all embrace the spirit of Christmas
A picture taken on October 14, 2013 shows an elephant in Mikumi National Park, which borders the Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania. Germany has provided 240 million euros to fight wildlife crime and poaching in Africa. AFP PHOTO
What you need to know:
- Germany is in a strong partnership with Kenya to achieve prosperity and many German companies are interested in tapping Kenya’s potential as a regional hub.
- We must all unite against the evil of terrorism and stand up for peace. Germany supports Kenya in its efforts to defeat terrorists and also to address the root causes of terrorism.
- Germany has provided 240 million euros to fight wildlife crime and poaching in Africa.
For Christians all over the world, Christmas is an important time, and for all of us, no matter our religion, the coming festival season should be a time of peace, rest, and meditation.
The spirit of Christmas is peace, love of fellow human beings, and solidarity. These are universal values which any society should embrace.
This year has not been peaceful in many parts of the world. Kenya has been shattered by terrorist attacks. We must all unite against the evil of terrorism and stand up for peace. Germany supports Kenya in its efforts to defeat terrorists and also to address the root causes of terrorism.
Solidarity should be an essential principle for any society. It should also be the guiding light for relationships between nations. The friendship between Germany and Kenya is guided by solidarity. Our development cooperation in the areas of water, agriculture, health, and energy is guided by solidarity, as is our collaboration in the areas of culture, sport, the economy, and vocational training.
To this end, Germany this year spent 7 million euros on refugees in Kenya, who belong to the most vulnerable group in this country, and 294 million euros on the implementation of the Medium-Term Plan (2014-2017) that aims to fight poverty and support growth.
STRONG PARTNERSHIP
Germany is in a strong partnership with Kenya to achieve prosperity and many German companies are interested in tapping Kenya’s potential as a regional hub. The German-East African Investment Forum, which took place in Nairobi in June, 2014, underlined the fact that German firms are ready to invest in Kenya and help create jobs.
The spirit of Christmas is also about living together peacefully and in solidarity. This also means working for national cohesion. Even industrialised countries like Germany must be united. Kenya has embarked on a courageous journey towards devolution. The essence of a devolved system is unity in diversity. It is the duty of all Kenyans and institutions to build a system that will ensure that devolution works.
The future of our countries should be based on mutual understanding and trust, irrespective of religious, ethnic, or social background. It should be based on respect for our diversity and the joint will to create one strong nation out of our many cultural backgrounds.
DUTY TO PROTECT
Solidarity also means preserving God’s creation. The recent death of one of the last six remaining northern white rhinos is sad. The capture and misery of young elephants in Zimbabwe is shameful.
It is our duty to protect our heritage. Whole species are being decimated.
The future of the coming generations depends on what we do today to protect nature and wildlife. Poaching is a serious crime and we must all fight it. For this reason, Germany has provided 240 million euros to fight wildlife crime and poaching in Africa.
As in Kenya, there are Christians and non-Christians in Germany whose views of Christmas differ widely. However, we unite in the values of the season: peace, tolerance, solidarity, and respect. I wish all Kenyans and Germans in Kenya a blissful festival season. Merry Christmas!
Mr Peschke is Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Kenya.
