By Foday Moriba Conteh
In a significant step to unify efforts and enhance youth engagement in environmental issues in the country, the Chief Director of Environment and Climate Change, Edward Bendu, on Thursday, July 25, 2024 officially launched the Youth Climate Council Sierra Leone (YCCSL) on the theme: “Bridging Intergeneration Gap for Equitable Climate Action & Policy Formulation in Sierra Leone.”
The launching, which brought together key stakeholders, including the Chief Director of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Edward Bendu, the Senior Youth Engagement Manager at C40 Cities, Sallieu Kanu, a representative of the GIZ Country Director, representatives from UNICEF Sierra Leone, National Disaster Management Agency, among others was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Conference Hall on Tower Hill in Freetown.
Delivering his keynote address, the Chief Director of Environment and Climate Change, at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Edward Bendu, noted the significance of such a milestone that is geared to promoting the inclusion of youth in national development, stressing the need for collaborative efforts in the fight against climate change amidst the alarming increase in temperature across the globe.
As he frowned at frequent deforestation, the Director pointed out that one of the major resources in Sierra Leone is the nation’s forest reserve. Therefore, he craved the indulgence of all Sierra Leonean citizens to maintain it since it contributes immensely to the development of the country in terms of all standards, explaining how it could as well serve as an attractive touristic site for potential investors.
Commenting on what the Ministry is expecting from YCCSL, he entreated members of the organization to embark on advocacy and also build resilience around the health sector where they would be part of the WASH system to enhance food and nutrition security of vulnerable communities that resonates with the Government’s big five game changers such as Food self-sufficiency, Feed Salone, Youth Employment, Infrastructure and Technology and Job Creation.
According to Edward Bendu, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and its agencies are steadfast in their commitment to addressing the pressing climate challenges that the nation faces. He emphasized that the fight against climate change is not just a battle for the present generation but a quest for the survival and prosperity of future generations, noting that is why the Ministry is dedicated to involving the youth in every step of the nation’s climate action journey.
“We recognize that youth-focused and youth-led organizations bring invaluable energy, creativity and perspectives to the table. To this end, the Ministry has been actively working to integrate these voices into our policy-making processes. We have established youth advisory committees, which serve as platforms for young people to share their insights and contribute to the development of our national climate.
Furthermore, the Ministry has prioritized the participation of youths in international conferences like the Africa Climate Week in Kenya 2023 and COP 28 in Dubai respectively” Director Bendu revealed adding that the national focal person through the Ministry regularly organizes consultations to ensure continuous dialogue between the Ministry and Youth Organizations.
The goal of the Ministry, he said, is to create an environment where young people could thrive as leaders and innovators in the climate movement.
Speaking on behalf of the Head of Climate Change Department, Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency- Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Peter Rogers stated that the initiative is a significant milestone in the collective journey towards a sustainable future and that it fills him with hope to see such enthusiastic and committed young people leading the charge.
Touching on the challenges in youth engagement, he asserted that despite significant efforts, he acknowledged the immense challenges in engaging youth in policy processes at both national and regional levels.
He maintained that one of the primary challenges is the disparity in resources and access to information. Many youth
organizations, especially those in remote areas, he said, face difficulties in accessing the tools and platforms necessary for meaningful participation therefore ensuring sustained engagement, is most often another hurdle.
According to Peter Rogers, young people often encounter barriers such as limited opportunities for skill development, insufficient support for their initiatives and a lack of platforms for continuous involvement. He noted that such barriers could hinder their ability to contribute effectively to policy discussions and implementations.
To address the above mentioned challenges, Peter Rogers disclosed how the Ministry is committed to strengthening its outreach efforts. He updated that the Ministry is working to expand its networks and provide more comprehensive support to youth organizations, which would include improving access to information, enhancing capacity-building initiatives and securing additional resources to support youth-led projects. “We believe that by fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment, we can empower our youth to become pivotal agents of change”, he asserted.
Peter Rogers concluded by stating that the launch of the Youth Climate Council Sierra Leone is a testament to the Ministry’s shared commitment to the said goals, stating that the Council will serve as a vital platform for young climate leaders to collaborate, innovate and drive meaningful change.
“We are excited to work closely with the Council and leverage the collective strengths of our young people to advance our national and regional climate agendas. I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the young leaders who are dedicating their time and energy to this crucial cause. Your passion and determination inspire us all and together, we can build a sustainable and resilient future for Sierra Leone,” he affirmed.
One of the Council members of the Youth Climate Council Sierra Leone, Esther Yellie Kamara, stated that YCCSL is a consortium of youth climate organizations but that it does not only limit to climate organization rather they incorporate other organizations that also focus on their thematic areas like awareness raising, education, integrating women into climate advocacy and women’s empowerment.
The organization, she said, aims to create a platform for everyone from different backgrounds to have their voices heard whenever issues of climate related matters are being discussed.
Esther Yellie Kamara further revealed that the organization currently has eight member organizations, but that more members are going to come onboard after the launching of the organization, assuring that there would be an application link for individuals and organizations on their website.
Considering the fact that climate change is a major cause of concern in Sierra Leone, the founder of YCCSL stressed that the organization would be embarking on effective education and capacity building which is one of their key thematic areas to beat the frequent occurrence of flooding in the country.
The launch event marked a pivotal moment to empower the youth of Sierra Leone and ensure their meaningful participation in climate action provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss strategies geared towards enhancing youth engagement in climate action and policy formulation, ensuring that young voices are at the forefront of environmental decision-making processes.
Participants engaged in interactive sessions to share their experiences, insights and innovative ideas for fostering greater youth participation in climate-related initiatives.
