Communique: Mobilizing Youth Voices on Climate Change, Peace and Security to Inform Africa Climate Summit Youth’s Nairobi Declaration
As part of the preparations for the Africa Youth Climate Assembly 2023, the IGAD Climate Predictions and Applications Centre (ICPAC) partnered with the African Union and ACCORD to organize online youth campaigns. These campaigns held on Twitter Space focused on three important themes: Solutions to food and water security, Climate, conflict, fragility, and human mobility, and Climate, land, and pastoralism.
The primary objective of these campaigns was to provide a platform for young people in the Horn of Africa region to voice their opinions and engage in meaningful discussions on climate change, peace, and security issues. The discussions were fruitful and resulted in several key recommendations from young people across the region. The recommendations reflect the innovative and forward-thinking ideas of young people in the Horn of Africa region. It is crucial to heed these recommendations and incorporate them into policy frameworks and decision-making processes. By doing so, we can harness the immense potential of youth and effectively address the challenges posed by climate change and conflict in the region.
- Youth Solutions for Food and Water Security
Stresses the need to create a regulatory framework that supports climate action and youth participation in agriculture.
Underscores the importance of education and training programs to raise awareness and foster sustainable solutions and
Highlights the potential of youth-led innovation in redefining agricultural practices
Encourages young women to pursue careers in agriculture can lead to economic growth and empowerment.
Highlights the significance of fostering collaboration between smallholder farmers and organizations to enhance food security.
Underscores the need to address food waste in order to achieve food security
Highlights the importance of utilizing data and artificial intelligence (AI) to understand and quantify food and water security challenges.
I. Leveraging mobile apps and USSD codes to effectively deliver localized educational content to farmers.
II. Investing in climate-smart farming practices, such as hydroponics and aquaponics, can enhance resilience and efficiency in food production.
III. Providing training on value addition and creating economic opportunities from surplus produce is crucial to foster entrepreneurship among young women.
IV. Fostering Public-Private Partnerships and collaboration between smallholder farmers and organizations to enhance food security.
V. Promoting innovative solutions such as composting food waste to reduce costs and promote healthy food consumption without chemical additives.
VI. Investing in technologies such as cold rooms for storage and food redistribution systems to reduce post-harvest losses.
VII. Calls on governments to prioritize the development of infrastructure, policies, and technology adoption to enable accurate data collection and analysis.
Youth Climate, Conflict, Fragility, and Human Mobility
Recognize that many countries in the Horn of Africa and the continent as a whole are dealing with peace and security issues and are highly vulnerable to climate extremes which further intensify resource competition, exacerbate conflicts and drive many out of their homes.
Takes note that areas facing fragility or conflict, climate-related concerns are often deprioritized
Highlights the transformative role of young people in addressing the complex challenges of climate change, conflict, fragility, and human mobility.
Takes note of the people forced to flee due to climate extreme events such as floods in Somalia, and the limited capacity of camps to provide essential services creating a hostile environment, exposing vulnerable youth to recruitment by terrorist groups.
Recognizes the role of climate change in exacerbating conflicts and driving migrations, particularly among the youth.
Recognizes the role of youth as drivers of positive change
Highlights the need for comprehensive data sharing
Takes note of the role of digital platforms as effective tools for raising awareness and advocating for action.
I. Promote inclusive decision-making processes and comprehensive strategies addressing climate peace and security are necessary to mitigate the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities.
II. Implement integrated strategies that address the root causes of conflicts while simultaneously enhancing climate adaptation measures.
III. Empower youth as agents of change for them to effectively address the impacts of climate change.
IV. Engage young people and empower them to contribute to the solution by bridging the knowledge gap to enable them to participate effectively.
V. Promote data sharing and access to comprehensive and up-to-date data to assess progress and understand the specific impacts of climate change and conflict on different countries and regions.
VI. Fostering partnerships, increasing the capacity of youth organizations, and promoting coordination between NGOs, grassroots organizations, and government bodies to enhance efforts in addressing climate and conflict-related issues.
VII. Encourage the inclusion of young people in policy formulation and policy dialogues to ensure their concerns and perspectives are considered in shaping effective responses.
Climate, land, and pastoralism
Emphasizes the importance of involving young people from pastoral communities in discussions and actions related to climate change and pastoralism.
Highlights the significance of prioritizing and strengthening land governance structures to safeguard the land rights of pastoralists.
Stresses the need for a multifaceted approach to address the challenges facing pastoralism. This approach entails innovation, cultural heritage preservation, and equitable land management practices.
Takes note of the role of local governments in offering educational opportunities, fostering innovation, and integrating modern technologies into pastoral activities, thus ensuring a sustainable future for youth from pastoral communities.
Recognizes that pastoralism is not only a source of livelihood but also a culture
I. Empower youth through education, training, and access to information.
II. Including the voices and perspectives of young people in combating the challenges posed by climate change in pastoral communities.
III. Engaging informed young people in climate change discussions and policy development is essential to ensure inclusive decision-making and the preservation of the livelihoods and cultural heritage of pastoral communities.
IV. Engaging grassroots communities in education and streamlining policies.
V. Supporting youth by creating opportunities and alternative economic activities is critical to mitigate the challenges faced by pastoral communities.