The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance in partnership with Kenyatta University launched the third cohort of the Nairobi Summer School of Climate Justice (NSSCJ Cohort III). The official launch was held at Kenyatta University which co-hosts the initiative.
Speaking at the launch function, Dr. Mithika Mwenda, the Executive Director of Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) said that introspecting on the two years the initiative has been on, it’s worth jubilation.
“Two years back we commenced this noble initiative on the NSSCJ. To us, it was a bold dream to see young people being in the stewardship of climate justice efforts in this continent. It was a dream that has become a reality,” said Dr. Mithika.
Mithika said that the achievement would not have been possible if there was not the hand of Kenyatta University with which PACJA is partnering as a hosting institution of the initiative.
“We appreciate the effort put in by Kenyatta University over the planning process for the NSSCJ that we have enjoyed for the last 2 years that has made the NSSCJ a premier process of strengthened pan-African mobilizations and organizing of young people to drive bold, continental-wide transformations”, Dr. Mithika added.
Dr. Joseph Kurauka, the Chairperson of the Department of Environmental Studies and Community Development at Kenyatta University affirmed that University’s partnership with PACJA yielded results by equipping the young generation with skills and knowledge of issues pertaining to climate change, environment, and Climate Justice.
“To affirm our commitment, I am glad to share with you that Kenyatta University’s Department of Environmental Studies and Community Development is processing accredited certification and master’s studies in areas of climate Justice”, disclosed Dr. Kurauka.
Prof. Wanjohi who represented the Vice Chancellor emphasized the role of the young generation in carrying forward awareness and commended the importance of equipping them with skills and knowledge on climate change and climate justice.
“I believe that Climate Change is everywhere and is affecting all of us. I hope that the applicants to be selected will be in that dynamism of bringing change because climate change has become a global Challenge we are currently facing”, said Prof. Wanjohi.
Nancy Githaiga, Country Director, of the African Wildlife Foundation reminded participants that Climate change has hit Africa and Kenya in particular, hence joint efforts are needed to address the challenge. She said that youth equipped with knowledge will drive the change.
“We have a responsibility because our action or inaction on the matter of climate change will definitely speak. Voices of young people must be heard but also there must be solutions through action,” reiterated Nancy.
During the launch of the third cohort of the NSSCJ the alumni of the Nairobi Summer school of Climate Justice shared experiences of the knowledge earned from the last cohort. Mrs. Jiata Ekele from Nigeria says she managed to carry out sensitization and advocacy through creative content writing and storytelling across all her social media handles daily not forgetting her effort of speaking to webinars monthly.
“Nairobi Summer School on Climate Justice equipped me with knowledge on climate change advocacy and other correlative concepts such as climate justice, climate finance tool kits, social media campaign strategy, and good networking skills”, said Mrs. Jiata.
Salem Mihindeou Ayenan from the Republic of Benin commended the knowledge gained from the school and the role it has played in supporting him in driving change in the community in Benin and on the continent.
“The experience and knowledge earned from the Nairobi Summer School gave me an opportunity to be trusted by UNESCO which selected me to be among eight members of the UNESCO-African Focus Group Discussion on greening curriculum on climate education, who participated in the survey of more than 17,400 young people around the world”, confirmed Salem.
Jesse David from Nairobi, Kenya engaged in climate change and climate Justice after being trained by Nairobi Summer School on Climate Justice and now he is engaging youth in matters relating to climate Justice.
“It really empowered me to be of impact, even at the institution level at Kenyatta University and being an ambassador of the Green Education Hub, I’ve been able to interact with students who are coming to learn, coming to express themselves, understand what the opportunities look like for them and what role they can play to be of impact to the organization” testified Jesse David.
About Nairobi Summer School of Climate Justice and the application process NSSCJ is conceptualized as an intergenerational platform to share, learn and network the disruptive ideas needed to catalyze economy-wide transformation in a climate-catastrophic world. The school adopts a society-wide focus, targeting sectoral and thematic experts and frontline activists irrespective of formal education and cultural backgrounds. Since its inception, the school has trained over 900 youth from diverse backgrounds and diverse countries and continents.
Over two years in action Nairobi Summer school Alumni, are contributing to shaping narratives around climate Justice across Africa and beyond through campaigns, Climate Change negotiations, and other advocacy processes at the national, regional, continental, and global levels.
To apply for the Nairobi Summer school of Climate Justice follow this link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFyCwXtqjH64rdLBw5KBSjNdT3Nzpq34J5
mE9fDWGAYxEZuQ/viewform
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