By Edna Okoth
The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) in
collaboration with Kenyatta University opened the third Nairobi Summer School of Climate
Justice (NSSCJ) cohort in Nairobi Kenya.
The official opening symposium was held at
Kenyatta University and attracted over 500 participants featuring over 250 students globally.
Speaking during the event, Executive Director of PACJA Dr.Mithika Mwenda described Nairobi Summer School on Climate
Justice as a unique and innovative initiative that aims at equiping young leaders and activists
with the knowledge, skills, and tools to advance the cause of climate justice in their
communities and beyond.
Defending the historical idea of starting the Nairobi Summer School, Dr. Mithika Mwenda, said that the mobilization,
policy engagement, and other engagements that PACJA has been undertaking is a teameffort
and hence the Nairobi Summer School was a quick idea bearing solutions.
“We have been engaging with policymakers and stakeholders to influence and shape policies
and actions that are responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people. We have built
alliances and partnerships with other actors and movements that share our vision and
values. But we cannot do this alone. We need you, the young leaders and activists, to join us
in this struggle.” said Dr Mithika.
Regarding the theme of the Symposium, “Connecting Ideas and shaping narratives for
Climate Justice, ” Amb. Ayele Kabede, the Program Manager of the Swedish International
Development Agency (SIDA) pointed out that the program is invaluable in building
intergenerational knowledge in the context of Climate Change.
“I am glad to hear that this edition of Nairobi Summer School brought together over 600
hundred physical and virtual students to be equipped with knowledge on Climate Change fo this
is a big achievement, “said Amb. Kabede before he encouraged youth to think of the
valuable contribution because they are actors of change in climate action.
The Netherlands is one of the developed countries that has been supporting Climate action
and was represented by HE Amb. Maarten Brouwer, the Dutch Ambassador in Kenya who
appreciated the initiative which he qualified as the groundswell of youth climate activists.
“Climate change is indispensable in addressing the existential threat posed by Climate Change.
The voices of people and communities need to be heard to influence decisions and policies that
will impact their lives for the years to come”, said HE Amb. Maarten Brouwer before adding
that the Strengthening justice contribute to the 2030 agenda and leaving
No One Behind and time for incremental change is over.
The Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Education said that Climate Change has been
destroying infrastructures, schools, and other learning materials, and hence mainstreaming
climate change in all education systems is important to build the capacities of the young
generation.
“The Ministry of Education aims to inspire students to take action in advocacy and action on
climate change through environmental clubs, tree planting initiatives to implement
environmentally friendly initiatives in their communities, intimated Hon, Ezekiel Machogu, the
Cabinet Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Kenya.
End..