Nairobi: Youth Highlighted as Key Players in Addressing Biodiversity Loss at IUCN Youth Conservation Forum for Africa
Charles Karangwa, the Global Head of IUCN Nature based Solutions (NbS) Management hub speaking at the youth Forum in Nairobi
By Kanamugire Emmanuel
The importance of youth in addressing biodiversity loss and other environmental challenges was highlighted at the IUCN Youth Conservation Forum for Africa (IYCOFA) in Nairobi.
The Youth Pre-forum is part of the larger Africa Conservation Forum, which aims to bring stakeholders together to address conservation challenges on the continent.
It is just one of the events leading up to the official launch of the Africa Conservation Forum to take Place on June 26.
Other pre-forums include discussions on indigenous conservation and ocean conservation.
However, the focus on youth involvement reflects a growing recognition of the important role that young people play in shaping the future of conservation efforts in Africa.
Charles Karangwa, the Global Head of IUCN Nature based Solutions (NbS) Management hub, who is also in Nairobi alongside other IUCN leaders, emphasized the crucial role that youth play in shaping the future during an interview with TOP AFRICA NEWS.
He expressed the importance of equipping young people with the necessary knowledge and skills to make informed decisions that will address global challenges effectively.
Karangwa highlighted the need for youth to be proactive in finding sustainable solutions to environmental issues, stating, “It is the youth who will be in different responsibilities in the future. So, it’s up to them to have essential knowledge that will help them take decisions that will make our problems not worse but more easily solved.”
During this meeting, problems youth face in this battle were raised. These include limited access to finance to implement their projects; inadequate knowledge and not being engaged in decision making.
On this, Karangwa explained that “In order for youth projects to get money to implement them, it is necessary to work with other organizations that have experience in the field of conservation.”
Karangwa added that sometimes youth organizations are still in need of collaboration with older ones in order to grow and eventually become independent.
“We have agreed that we will continue to work with them to increase their knowledge about nature-based solutions through organizing training at the continent or the Region level where they are located so that they understand what nature-based solutions are”, he said.
Africa is continent rich in natural resources, with ecosystems playing a crucial role in its economy.
However, the increasing population and demand for land for agriculture, housing, and infrastructure development are leading to the loss of valuable ecosystems in some areas. This is having a devastating impact on the environment.
As Africa Conservation Forum aims to foster dialogue among politicians, civil society organizations, scientists, and indigenous people, the discussions will focus on the responsible management of Africa’s natural resources in alignment with the sustainable development goals, Africa’s Aspirations for the Future (Agenda 2063), and the development plans of the participants’ respective countries.
According to IUCN, it is not late to take action to reverse the threats that Africa faces such as severe storms, floods, droughts, and wildfires – threatening cities, communities, crops, water, and wildlife.
