Green Totos Uganda (GTU) participated in the Global Youth Climate Summit (GYC) 2023, held at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This summit was a significant event aimed at empowering youth with essential leadership skills for climate action and enhancing their understanding of climate science. The participation of GTU underscores the organization’s commitment to fostering youth engagement in environmental issues and promoting sustainable practices.
The GYC 2023 had several key objectives:
- Empowerment through Leadership Skills: One of the primary goals was to equip young leaders with the necessary skills to advocate for climate action effectively. This included training sessions on public speaking, advocacy strategies, and project management tailored for environmental initiatives.
- Enhancing Knowledge on Climate Science: The summit provided a platform for participants to deepen their understanding of climate science. Workshops and discussions led by experts covered topics such as climate change impacts, mitigation strategies, and adaptation techniques relevant to various regions.
- Networking Opportunities: The summit facilitated networking among youth leaders from different countries, allowing them to share experiences, collaborate on projects, and build a global community focused on tackling climate challenges.
GTU was represented by its co-founder and lead, Thembo Johnson Puruka. His participation was pivotal in showcasing GTU’s initiatives and achievements in promoting environmental sustainability in Uganda. During the summit, Thembo engaged with other youth leaders and experts, sharing insights about GTU’s programs that focus on climate change education, environmental literacy and conservation awareness.
Thembo also participated in panel discussions where he highlighted the importance of grassroots movements in combating climate change. His contributions emphasized how local actions can lead to significant impacts when scaled up through collaboration with international organizations and governments.
Key Takeaways from the Summit
- Youth Empowerment is Crucial: The summit reinforced the idea that empowering youth is essential for effective climate action. Young people are not just future leaders; they are current agents of change who can influence policies and practices today.
- Collaboration is Key: The importance of collaboration among youth organizations across borders was a recurring theme. By working together, young leaders can amplify their voices and create more substantial impacts on climate policy.
- Continued Education is Necessary: Ongoing education about climate science is vital for informed advocacy. Participants left the summit with resources and knowledge that will help them educate their communities back home.
- Action-Oriented Approaches: The emphasis on practical solutions rather than just theoretical knowledge was a highlight of the event. Participants were encouraged to develop actionable plans that could be implemented locally.
The participation of Green Totos Uganda at the GYCS 2023 represents a significant step towards engaging youth in meaningful climate action initiatives. Through events like these, organizations can foster leadership skills among young people while enhancing their understanding of critical environmental issues facing our planet today.
