The National youth conference on Climate Change held in Nairobi November 2009 was attended by over 100 youth from all parts of Kenya, the Environment Secretary, Heinrich Boll Foundation, Oxfam GB, Nowergian Church Aid, Kenya Private Sector, UNEP, PACJA, Christian Aid, Earth-watch Institute, Universities, Members of Parliament and Media Houses.
“This could not have been possible without the support of the Norwegian Church Aid office in Nairobi,” says AYICC on their web site. Now they have nominated Norwegian Church Aid youth NGO of the year 2009.
“We are very grateful. This is an honour and it commits us to continue our engagement together with Kenyan youth,” area representative Gaim Kebreab says.
Youth Discuss issues with Mutava Musyimi, Member of Parliament.
Progressive voices
“It is been very fruitful to work with young people. Their influence politicians and the government has been phenomenal and their voices were the loudest and most progressive at the Copenhagen Climate Conference,” says programme officer Isaiah Kipyegon Toroitich who runs Norwegian Church Aid’s youth initiative.
“The hope for our country and our continent is our youth – development organizations and governments must begin to empower them more and harness their energy, creativity, and numbers to bring positive change,” Toroitich says.
Isaiah Kipyegon Toroitich (to the left) together with young people attending the National Climate Conference 2008.
Young people take action
Norwegian Church Aid in Kenya began its vibrant youth programme in 2008 with a National Youth Confernce on Climate Change. This paved way to youth mobilization in both urban and rural areas, where young people are empowered first to take action in protecting their environment and training other youth people in schools, churches, mosques, and universities. Secondly, the youth hold their leaders both at local and national level accountable.
“So far our main advocacy work is run by youth alongside civil society. Celebrities and politicians have joined NCA youth initiative and are currently building momentum for further engagement on issues such as governance, constitutional review and economic justice,” Toroitich says.
The Kenya youth movement works very closely with Change Maker in Norway.
