Biography
Gromyko Dumuje is an experienced educationist devoted to promoting the education and wellbeing of others. A highly versatile individual with History and English degrees, as well as a teaching certificate, Gromyko completed an interdisciplinary PhD at SOAS, University of London. Having delivered consulting services on Terrorism and Security in Africa to incoming Ambassadors to Africa, as well as organizations such as Ministry of Defence (England), UNICEF and ECOWAS, Gromyko has embarked on a Theology and Religion Masters at Cambridge University to further hone areas of interest within Religion and Conflict which he seeks to pursue in his professional career.
Paper Abstract
Researchers and lay persons alike are unanimous in accepting that environmental issues constitute mankind's foremost universal challenge this 21st century and beyond. Africa, in particular lags behind the West in engaging environmentalism, whether it be deforestation matters or the devastation of natural habitats due to the prioritization of economic advancement. My research findings indicate also that ecological considerations in Africa are widely deemed niche in the quest for modernity. Yet, with religiosity in Africa outpacing religious observance in the West, opportunities to address environmentalism in Africa through religion's mandated lens of stewardship are real. The research and existing data collated reflects that although many have long advocated that religion take a lead in employing 'interrelated dialogue' to tackle ecological issues - a dialogue that has begun in African political circles - the foundation for multi-agency cooperation to implant transformative and restorative probabilities are yet to be widely enacted. In researching the relationship also between sustainable development in Africa and democratic integrity and national peace, it is evident that the ecological issue in the African setting presents twin existential dualities; the environmental comprises and intersects with the political, the main preoccupation of which concerns sustaining a viable statehood. My research concludes that room exists for a three-pronged approach to the African ecological question. Namely, a more concerted interfaith collaboration intranationally which may implement both ecological and societal healing; a Pan-African international alliance and approach that comprises multi-agency partnership beyond national borders; finally, a Western/African coalition utilising the West's historical experience addressing ecological issues, with a reformed emphasis on applying creative solutions that consider the unique variables of Africa's ecological, religious and political terrain.