Project Survival NL
Afrikaanse jongeren ondersteunen hun delegaties
Project Survival NL is een project van Nederlandse jongeren die fondsen werven voor jongeren uit Afrika om een ondervertegenwoordigde Afrikaanse delegatie te ondersteunen op de klimaattop. Twee vliegen in één klap dus, meer jongerenparticipatie en meer slagkracht voor landen met maar weinig delegatieleden. (zie ook dit artikel).
Inmiddels zijn ze in Kopenhagen en kun je ze volgen via projectsurvivalnl.blogspot.com (en natuurlijk via duurzamestudent.nl/kopenhagen). In het overzicht hieronder maak je kennis met de Afrikaanse jongeren die geselecteerd zijn om hun delegaties te ondersteunen.
Mr. Ebrima from Gambia
Bachelor in Agriculture and Minor in Biology
Participated in United Nation Environment Program’s UNEP/Tunza Regional Conferences on the Environment, held in Cameroon, Norway and South Korea in 2007, 2008 and 2009 respectively
Part of motivation letter:
“Developing countries bears the greatest risk of climate change impact. In the case of the Gambia- a country whose main economy is based on rain-fed subsistence agriculture and a capital city being just a meter above sea level, the risk of climate change is in fact much higher compare to other countries. Added to this, the country is made up of small islands and coastal villages thus making it prone to coastal erosion.
Therefore, as a youth leader and a young climate change activist, my participation in the cop-15 climate change negotiation is crucial, this is because, it would not only give more weight to the voice of our national delegation during the negotiation but will also ensure that the voices and concern of young people regarding climate change is adequately put in to account. It will also provide me the opportunity to meet, engage and share ideas with climate change expert and policy makers in their quest for a decisive climate agreement that is just, fair and put into consideration of high risk poor communities in the Gambia and Africa in general. The conference will also provide me the needed exposure and skills to continue on my climate change campaign back home.”
Mr. Runyambo from Rwanda
Bachelor degree in Biology
Working as research assistent with Association pour la Conservation de la Nature au Rwanda (ACNR), a BirdLife partner in Rwanda as a research assistant dealing with climate change issues and environmental education in wildlife clubs.
Part of motivation letter:
“Attending this COP-15 would be of great concern as it is an opportunity for me to share skills and experience with scientists, experts and practitioners from all over the world with various skills and experiences in climate change. In addition, my organization and my country would benefit the skills and experience from this COP-15 upon returning home once my application is approved.”
Mr. Hubert from Rwanda
Medical education
Attended the last 17th United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development as African Youth representative
Part of motivation letter:
“My special concern is the increasing imbalance between the natural resources and the population growth, focusing on the experience of my country Rwanda which is now lined as the most densely populated in Africa although human capacity building and equitable natural resources are negligible. In Africa, where I am coming from, the land degradation, loss of biodiversity, deforestation and shortage of access to clean water are here some key issues related to the climate change. From my experience in working with local communities on health based students-led micro projects in Rwanda; there is still a lack human development in order to alleviate environment degradation, and this opportunity is a great step to help young people from Africa achieving knowledge and making networks which could help them to strengthen their activities in sense of environment protection.”
Mr. Lamah from Guinee
No further information available
Ms. Mahawa from Guinee
No further information available
Mr. Mangaliso from Swaziland
Diploma in law
Field Development Officer for Swaziland Scout Association. Actively involved in World Organization of the Scout Movement.
Part of motivation letter:
“Coming from Swaziland a small landlocked country, one would be forgiven to believe that international environmental impacts are not of great effect to us. I’ve observed that as African countries we may not be the role players as far as emissions are concerned but we are the first to suffer the consequences. It is with this fact that I decided to get myself to be a climate change activist.”
Mr. Ezilon from Malawi
Master of Science in Geography by Research – Environmental Management (current student)
Part of motivation letter:
“I have been for a long time involved in climate change issues, dealing will awareness as well as mitigation and adaptation. The range of activities I have been conducting include campaigns on causes and impacts of climate change, to setting projects such as those that plant trees to sequester carbon from the atmosphere. Where appropriate, I have also been involved in conducting research on pressing issues in climate. Most of these have been organized and country level, which have resulted into few international interactions. This then presents an opportunity where I can effectively cow contribute at global level. In case of organizing events on climate change, this will be a continuation as I have been involved in a number of such things, the latest one being the 350 parts per million target termed Global Day of Climate Action campaign slated for 24th October, 2009; being coordinated by http://www.350.org/ as I am organizing one event here in Malawi.”
Miss Matildah from Zambia
Bachelor Degree in Development Studies and Economics
Working as Campaign, Advocacy and Lobby (CAL) Officer for PELUM Association, Zambia. She is the focal point person on climate change
Part of motivation letter:
“I was happy to learn about your initiative to fund African youths to attend the COP 15.This is because I have been taking keen interest in the global climate negotiations and I have observed that the majority of the negotiators are the old decision makers in government when climate change poses a greater threat to the youths of today who are the future leaders of tomorrow and will live to see all the predicted impacts of climate change come to pass. The youths in Africa have not been given a chance to add their voice in these negotiations due to lack of a consultative process in their countries prior to the conference. Where these consultations have been done, the youths are unable to attend the conference due to lack of funds as priority is given to government officials. I am currently sitting on the Zambia national delegation preparing for the COP 15 representing the voice of the civil society. However it has been clarified that the funds are insufficient as such only a few government officials will attend. This in itself entails that my country will be unable to fully participate in all the meetings as the meetings take place concurrently and this will weaken our voice. I would want to help my delegation as I am speaking on behalf of the vulnerable communities, the youths and civil society at large.”
Ms. Margaret from Kenya
Bachelor in International Business Administration
Actively involved in UNEP (United Nations Environmental Programme) as UNEP youth representative and as Tunza Youth Advisor For Africa (2007 – 2009).
Part of motivation letter:
“I have strived to be the voice of African youth. Collecting first hand input and information from them on various environmental issues and presenting them in various international forums such as the United Nations Environment Programme – Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum, European Parliament, Development Committee’s Conference on children and development and most recently spoke as a panelist during the Governor’s Global Climate Summit, On the Road to Copenhagen, hosted by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in Lose Angeles, California. I would like to take these expertise in climate change talks to Copenhagen this year, giving African youth a stronger voice, strengthening their representation during the climate negotiations.”