Kenya joins global youth leaders at Climate Justice Camp in Arusha

Youth community leaders from some of the world’s most climate-impacted countries, including Kenya, have come together to co-create strategies and demands for climate action at the third annual Climate Justice Camp, a week-long event being held in Arusha, Tanzania.

Youth from over 100 countries believe that the future is not inherited but created through determination and action. They are open-minded and ready to embrace change, learn resilience, share ideas, and lay the foundation for solutions, while also articulating biodiversity restoration to reclaim ecological sovereignty.

At the opening of the youth engagement camp, it was clear that participants were united in their commitment to co-create solutions and discuss environmental issues. They aim to learn from each other and develop new, implementable ideas to take back to their countries.

"We believe that youth are both the present and the future. When you empower them with the right skills, time, financial support, and space to collaborate, amazing things can happen. That's the spirit of the Roots Team and the Climate Justice Camp," said Gerance Mutwol, a young Kenyan environmental scientist, activist, and plastics campaigner at Greenpeace Africa. "We aim to bring youth from diverse communities together to share experiences and co-create solutions that can make the world a better place."

Agustin Maggio, program leader of Roots and the lead partner of the Climate Justice Camp, praised the enthusiasm of Sub-Saharan African youth regarding climate change issues.

“At every previous Climate Justice Camp, we have been impressed by the strength of representation from Sub-Saharan Africa and the incredible groups and young leaders working to drive positive change in their communities. The third edition of the camp in Tanzania promises to be a catalyst for unity and collaboration, empowering participants to build knowledge and networks, share stories and skills, and co-create strategies that will have a lasting impact,” said Maggio.

The camp, which is hosting 80% of participants aged 35 and under, includes vibrant change-makers from various organizations worldwide. Young volunteers eager to make a difference have also joined the event.

Citizen Digital spoke with the youngest participant, 18-year-old Hashiatu Ibrahim, a volunteer with Greenpeace Africa from the indigenous Mbororo community in Northern Cameroon. She believes she can make a significant impact by sharing knowledge with her community.

“In our community, we engage in cattle rearing, which contributes to overgrazing and climate change. I feel fortunate to gain knowledge here that I can take back to my community. I plan to empower them and propose initiatives like using cow dung waste to produce biogas, which is a clean cooking energy solution.”

Esther Syombua, regional coordinator for Greenpeace East Africa, emphasized the urgency of addressing the global climate crisis. "The global climate crisis is in the ICU, and we urgently need youth to have critical conversations that must be addressed at COP 29 in November."

The Climate Justice Camp aims to develop better solutions to the social injustices pressing people across the globe. “In short, we need to act now. We cannot continue to discuss these issues without taking action; they must be brought to the forefront because the most affected are the communities without a voice,” said Esther.

The week-long agenda features various workshops on topics including the road to COP29, energy transition, adaptation and resilience, plastics pollution, conflict and demilitarization, and gender and climate. The goal is to create regional and international networks and alliances that can advocate for long-term political change.

The Climate Justice Camp is the largest in-person platform of its kind for young leaders from the Global South, and this year marks its first occurrence in Sub-Saharan Africa. The inaugural camp was held in Tunisia in 2022, followed by the 2023 camp in Lebanon and a regional edition in the Caribbean in March of this year.