By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Government has commended Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ) for joining efforts in strengthening the voice of the youth in advocating for climate justice and democratic governance of natural resources.
Director of Environmental Management Department in the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment Godwin Gondwe said Government has welcomed the training of over 100 youths, equipping them with knowledge, skills and resources on environmental sustainability.
Mr Gondwe said this when he graced a Youth Environmental Defenders Advocacy Training in Lusaka, organized by CEJ with support from Southern Africa Trust (SAT).
“Now more than ever, the youth across the globe are mobilizing. They have come to realise that so much damage is being inflicted on the environment. These groups of energetic young people, including you here, cannot just stand by and watch, so they and you have risen to strongly advocate for attention to the issues that matter most, including climate change, pollution, land degradation and biodiversity loss, which threaten you future and the very existence of the entire world,” he said.
He said that the theme “Equipping Youth Environmental Defenders with Knowledge, Skills and Resources for Climate Justice and Natural Resource Governance” captured what was needed in ensuring that the youth were empowered.
And CEJ Executive Director Maggie Mwape said that there had never been a successful revolution without the young people.
Ms Mwape pointed out that the youth had unique energy needed to achieve Climate Justice and environmental protection.
She said that CEJ had in the last fourteen years received support from various partners including WWF Zambia, Bread for the World, INCL, Global Green Grants, GIZ, ActionAid, UNDP, SAT, Kalumbila Minerals, Non-ferrouse mine among others.
And representing the Ministry of Youth and Sport, National Youth Development Council (NYDC) Senior Training Coordinator Brian Chipasha called on young people to speak with one voice.
