Empowering Voices for Climate Action and Inclusive Decision-Making

An inspiring youth-led workshop unfolded on September 22 as young people from various organizations came together for the 2023 Local Conference of Youth pre-LCOY Policy Workshop.

This workshop served as a platform for these passionate individuals to delve into the intricacies of the global climate crisis and collaborate on formulating policies that can be localized for effective and impactful climate action.

United by their shared concern for the environment, they aimed to influence policies at a grassroots level, taking meaningful steps towards addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change. They worked towards shaping a sustainable and resilient future for all through innovative thinking and collective efforts

For far too long, the voices of youth have been marginalized and excluded from decision-making processes, preventing them from actively participating in programs specifically designed for their benefit.

“Exclusion of youth voices from decision-making leaves policies lacking inclusivity,” stated Brilliant Chepkirui

Adding to that, Joel Surungai reiterated that inclusivity shouldn’t just be a buzzword: it should translate into action.

“Unfortunately, when it comes to climate policy, youth are still noticeably absent from the decision-making table,” he pointed out.

This exclusion has hindered young people from fully engaging and contributing to initiatives that directly impact their lives. The youth emphasized on breaking free from this pattern and recognize the immense value that youth perspectives bring.

By including and empowering young voices, the young people noted that they can create more inclusive and effective programs that address the unique needs and aspirations of today’s youth.

The workshop acted as a crucial follow-up to the recently concluded Africa Climate Summit and also set the stage for the upcoming COP 28. They demonstrated a strong commitment to advocating for the implementation of effective frameworks and strategies to combat climate change. Their insights and proposals showcased their determination to drive positive change and ensure a sustainable future for all.

In addition, the youths emphasized the critical importance of embracing Climate Smart Agriculture as a key component in addressing the climate crisis. They highlighted the need for a robust regulatory framework that supports sustainable agricultural practices, enabling us to meet the increasing demands of a growing population while maintaining efforts to combat climate change.

By integrating climate-smart approaches into our agricultural systems, the young people noted it can enhance resilience, promote biodiversity, and ensure food security for present and future generations.

The young voices at the workshop echoed the importance of adopting these measures to create a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.

The workshop exists to harness, mobilize and amplify youth voices from the grassroot level, to the national level.