East African Young Leaders Spoke One Language;50 Years of Earth-Day!
For me development means large number of youth is positioned to showcase their creativity, utilize their knowledge, use their professions and no future is discussed without them sitting on the same table. It’s obvious that young people can translate things very fast so they definitely act as a bridge that connects the authorities and citizens themselves. It’s no longer a secret that youth in the 4th industrial revolution are very instrumental. They’re assertive, ambitious; they love being highly educated and have bigger dreams not only for their countries but the world at large.
In April, 2020; we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day this means we’re celebrating 50 years of building a legacy on earth by putting efforts towards environmental protection. For me I think Earth Day has created enough room for environmental activists to use their dynamic potentials in addressing the environmental challenges facing the world. According to UNEP; Earth Day is not just 50th anniversary of Earth Day, but also the anniversary of the signing of the Paris Agreement to take climate action. I completely agree with them because I don’t want to imagine living above 4 degrees Celsius.
In 2020 the Earth Day Network has managed to construct the campaigns like Earth Rise, Great Global Cleanup, Earth Challenge, Footprints for the Future, and Artists for the Future all these intended to activate at least a billion of people on earth. Unfortunately Covid-19 took the lead; off course they didn’t stop there an electronic tool was created to assist the dream come true.
There is too much to be expected after 50 years; today if I stuck in the elevator with any executive from the authorities bond to environment protection he/she dares to ask me what I want to see after 50 years of Earth Day my flow will be quit very simple. “I want young people to understand that the issue of environment protection requires global stewardship and this is a non- stopping journey that needs more fuel than we ever thought. This is possible when young people are invited to discuss about it, because young people are in a very good position to understand what is being done and what should be done”.
However, these days’ youth tend to invite themselves in development issues; yes they knock doors and grab a seat, just like that!!This year I observed a very strange thing ever seen in my entire life, young East African leaders stood bold to champion the 50 years of Earth Day. Do you know what does this mean? This stipulates that young people took the lead and told the Africans and the world at large what they want to see after 50 years of Earth Day.
So I had to hustle to bring these regional young leaders to speak the same language in the article, this means I have casually interviewed every country director from Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. It is not by serendipity but they both spoke one language in a complete different angle.
In this context the cross-questioning of East African country directors currently acting as the focal points in their respective countries had to be conducted; you will be surprised to learn what did a Tanzanian, Kenyan and Ugandan director pull out from the closet. I was very clear “As a country director for Earth Day Network what do you want to see after 50 years of Earth Day?” and “How do you see young generation participating in the environmental protection programs in your country?”
I want see behavioral change, massive awakening of the individuals because awareness has been done this creates an opportunity to bring change in policy level since we are trying to change activism to reality. If Tanzania was able to ban plastics this means a lot of climate action policies can be amended as well. Furthermore I want to see sustainable environment protection strategies are brought on the table.
On the other hand youth in Tanzania are very awakened and ambitious in a way they can grab opportunities with no hesitation. There is a very great hope because they also see opportunities in environmental conservation and it’s our job creating some for them said Ghamid Basat (Country director for Earth Day Network in Tanzania).
After the 50 years of Earth Day celebrations I want to see more citizens take up responsibility and action with respect to the environment. This continuous action and engaging of citizens have led to major gains across the world and it should continue especially at such a time the world is experiencing climate change.
Talking about youth; it was worth noting that engagement and action across the world being taken up by young people is increasing daily and we are seeing young people leading marches and strikes across the globe. Young people are participating online and offline through campaigns, tree planting, clean ups, joining and supporting local causes and working groups that work to conserve the environment. More important they are going miles by starting small initiatives and programs in their local communities solving local problems that can be greatly beneficial for the local community. This is very fundamental said Nyawira Gitaka (Country director for Earth Day Network in Kenya).
I want to see the African citizens uniting their efforts to prioritize environmental concerns in national planning to regional by increasing budgets for policies and community projects and getting people to take sustainable actions.
On contrary; I see young people as key stakeholders in environmental conservation, because they go to school to study these things and why not get them involved, they have done research, started up ventures, organizations and innovations to solve the environmental crisis but my wish is they should get themselves to the discussion table and join the development projects this is to widen their capacities such that they can take on sustainably. They should align their passions to environmental struggles by ask their governments to join their delegations. I always say if young people position themselves in environmental development agenda they will forever make positive impacts said Derick Mugisha (Country director for Earth Day Network in Uganda).
For me I think they didn’t only act as focal points in their respective countries but they stood to show the way. I love the fact that young East African leaders are not confined to their countries only but they are going miles. I understand that still they’re some people who think that the development of such magnificence is possible but today's young leaders are proving them wrong. Yes, we can do bigger things only when we collaborate and speak one language without competition.
Africa needs bold young leaders who know how to connect dots and they’re ready to invest their energy to pop-up opportunities that will magnify the continent as a result. I will say this until it makes sense that everything is a journey and the journey starts now before the red zone.
Nobody will save Africa but the African themselves; with very high confidence I have the audacity to say that we can’t lose this battle, Yes this climate crisis is on our league.
