The YWCA Participating in the African Youth Caravan for Climate Justice
Copyright: Guri Storaas/NCA
The 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, commonly known as COP17, will be held in Durban, South Africa, from November 29 to December 9, 2011. Faith leaders from South Africa and the rest of the world will participate and will have a strong presence at COP17, supported by a huge body of young people from Africa who will join in the “We have Faith – Act Now for Climate Justice” campaign. The initiative invites the public to sign what they hope will be a multi-million signature petition to be presented to the leaders of COP17.
The African Youth Caravan, a Pan-African movement of people, faith communities, faith leaders and youth will bring together over 100 young environmentalists and climate change advocates and will begin travelling in Nairobi, Kenya, continuing on through Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique, Lesotho, Swaziland and finally into South Africa and then back again after the COP 17. The Youth Caravan will lead the way in mobilising communities to lend their voice to the world’s leaders and negotiators and inspire them to act without fear for climate justice. The caravan is organised by the African Youth Initiative on Climate Change, which is an umbrella youth network that was conceived in 2006 in Nairobi Kenya, during the 2nd International Conference of Youth held before the UNFCCC, COP 12. This initiative has continued to connect, share knowledge, ideas, experiences, skills and strategies on youth action around the continent on climate change mitigation and adaptation. It has been identified by African youth as providing an effective platform in order to address regional challenges at international gatherings.
The YWCA/YMCA of Norway and the Africa Alliance of YMCAs are sending a delegation of 90 young people to travel with the Caravan, raising awareness on climate justice through performances. The caravan will culminate by joining the Inter-Faith Rally and Concert in Durban, to be hosted by Bishop Desmond Tutu, and is expected to be attended by thousands of people.
The programme invites all YWCAs and YMCAs in the countries where the caravan stops to mobilise support for climate justice in the following ways:
- Mobilising young people to join the “We Have Faith” concert
- Mobilise leadership and members to prepare for the reception of the caravan. For example organise a welcome party or a meeting on climate justice.
- Assist in the organisation of the concerts
- Organise smaller events, such as: interfaith meetings, school concerts, YWCA/YMCA concerts, meetings with local leaders, political leaders, Y branches, youth groups, etc.
- Assist in practical arrangements and help with logistics
- Mobilise the media attention and ensure that the YWCA/YMCA and the Caravan receive good.
Apart from the concerts, participants are also encouraging creative and innovative ways of passing the message across to World leaders. This includes petitions, letters, video messages, documentaries, poems and theatre. The organisers also encourage everyone to join the “We have Faith, Act Now for Climate Justice” community on Facebook.
Have a look at the Caravan programme below to see when it will come to a place near you. Get involved to demand climate justice for all!
