PACJA Launches Call for 3rd Cohort on NairobiSummer School on Climate Justice

The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance in partnership with Kenyatta University launched the third cohort of Nairobi Summer School of Climate Justice (NSSCJ Cohort III). The official launch – of held at Kenyatta University that co-host the initiative.

Speaking at the launch function, Dr. Mithika Mwenda, the Executive Director of Pan African
Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) said that introspecting on the two years the initiative has
been on, it’s worth jubilation.

“Two years back we commenced this noble initiative on the NSSCJ. To us it was a bold dream
to see young people being in the stewardship of climate justice efforts in this continent. It was
a dream that has become a reality”, said Dr. Mithika.

Mithika said that the achievement would not have been possible if there was not hand of Kenyatta University with which PACJA is partnering as a hosting institution of the initiative.

“We appreciate the effort put in by Kenyatta University over the planning process for the NSSCJ that we have enjoyed for the last 2 years that has made the NSSCJ a premier process of strengthened pan African mobilizations and organizing of young people to drive bold, continental wide transformations”, Dr. Mithika added.

Dr. Joseph Kurauka, the Chairperson of the Department of Environmental Studies and Community Development at Kenyatta University affirmed that University partnership with PACJA yielded results by equipping young generation with skills and knowledge of issues pertaining to climate change, environment and Climate Justice.

“To affirm our commitment, I am glad to share with you that Kenyatta University’s Department of Environmental Studies and Community Development is processing accredited certification and master’s studies in areas of climate Justice”, disclosed Dr. Kurauka.

Prof. Wanjohi who represented the Vice Chancellor emphasized the role of young generation in carrying forward awareness and commended the importance of equipping them with skills and knowledge on climate change and climate justice.

“I believe that Climate Change is everywhere and is affecting all of us. I hope that the applicants to be selected will be in that dynamism of bringing change because climate change has become a global Challenge we are currently facing”, said Prof. Wanjohi

Nancy Githaiga, Country Director, African Wildlife Foundation reminded participants that Climate change has hit Africa and Kenya in particular, hence joint efforts are needed to address the challenge. She said that youth equipped with knowledge will drive the change.

“We have responsibility because our action or inaction on matter of climate Change will definitely speak. Voices of young people must be heard but also there must be solutions through action,” reiterated Nancy.

During the launch of the third cohort of the NSSCJ the alumni of Nairobi Summer school of Climate Justice shared experiences of the knowledge earning from the last cohort. Mrs. Jiata Ekele from Nigeria says she managed to carry out sensitization and advocacy through creative content writing and storytelling across all her social media handles daily not forgetting her effort of speaking to webinars monthly.

“Nairobi Summer School on climate Justice equipped me with knowledge on climate change advocacy and other correlative concepts such as climate justice, climate finance tool kits, social media campaign strategy and good networking skills”, said Mrs. Jiata.

Salem Mihindeou Ayenan from the Republic of Benin, commended the knowledge gained from the school and the role it has played in supporting him in driving change in the community in Benin and on the continent.

“The experience and knowledge earned from the Nairobi Summer School gave me an opportunity to be trusted by UNESCO which selected me to be among eight members of UNESCO-African focus Group Discussion on greening curriculum on climate education, who participated to the survey of more than 17,400 young people around the world”, confirmed Salem.

Jesse David from Nairobi, Kenya engaged in climate change and climate Justice after being trained by Nairobi Summer School on climate Justice and that now he is engaging youth in matters relating to climate Justice.

“It really empowered me to be of impact, even at the institution level at Kenyatta University and being an ambassador of the Green Education Hub, I’ve been able to interact with students who are coming to learn, coming to express themselves, to understand what the opportunities look like for them and what role they can play to be of impact to the organization” testified Jesse David.