UNESCO organizes capacity building session for African youth in Paris ahead of COP 21
UNESCO Liaison office in Addis Ababa, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the African Union Commission (AUC) and Pan African Youth Network on the Culture of Peace, in collaboration with UNESCO African Department is organizing a capacity building session: 'African Youth combating Climate Change for Peace' in Paris the morning of 28th of October and will focus on how to capitalize on the opportunities African youth provides, on strengthening their skills and expertise, and on the role of young people in solving pressing climate issues and peace in Africa on a grassroots level.
It is organized against the backdrop that climate change has the possibility of escalating conflict, causing food insecurity, increasing spread of diseases and creating widespread poverty. It is mainly the younger generations who are affected by this. Preparing these generations to cope with and address climate change challenges is therefore a must. Strengthening the capacities of youth leaders, in order for them to become more vocal and active in addressing climate change issues at local and national levels is paramount, as good, accountable, focused and strategic leaders will be able to directly deal with youth unemployment, poverty alleviation, equality, equity, justice, peace and sustainable development.
This session will take place in the context of the 9th UNESCO Youth Forum, which will take place in Paris on the 26-28 October 2015. The Youth Forum provides the attending youth delegates with a strategic opportunity and a visible platform to consolidate and collectively voice their opinions. In this way the outcomes of the capacity building session could directly feed into the UNFCCC COP 21 to be held in Paris in November-December 2015, strengthening the voice of our youth.
The session will be led by four young people from UNECA's Clim-Dev-Africa Youth Platform. Through an informal youth friendly approach, best practices will be shared and young African women and men will be trained in how to build sustainability in their communities, with respect to climate change and peace and security issues in Africa.
