Africa's Second Children Conference on Climate Change Kicks off in Durban,
South Africa
Durban/Nairobi, 08 August 2009- About 150 children from over 19 countries across the continent are meeting in Durban, South Africa to voice their concerns about their future against the backdrop of environmental changes related to climate change, and to urge African leaders to seal the deal for a more equitable climate agreement in Copenhagen in December 2009.
The Conference is co-organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and SPAR in partnership with Eskom, Nestlé, Shell, Hewlett Packard, the British Council, SAASTA, Sustainability United (an Environmental Network for Children, Women and NGOs), Regency Foundation Networx and other educational role-players in KwaZulu-Natal.
The four day Tunza Regional Conference, which derives its name from a Kiswahili word meaning “to treat with care and affection” or “to nurture” is focusing on climate change, and what actions children can take to reduce emissions in their communities.
It is hoped that the African Conference will bring African children’s concerns and perspectives to the governmental negotiations currently going on and in Copenhagen. The conference will also reinforce the links between a growing network of young people working with UNEP on various environmental issues.
UNEP, Regional Director for Africa, Mounkaila Goumandakoye said: “Children are our future and our conscience. They provide the enthusiasm, the vigour and the idealism that this world needs. From their messages, it is quite evident that much change is needed to protect the environment and address the adverse impacts of climate change and other environmental threats. That is why UNEP has developed a specific strategy with a vision to foster a generation of environmentally conscious citizens, capable of positive action.”
The Durban Conference is a key opportunity for African children to learn about three major themes, namely Climate Change and Waste, Climate Change and Biodiversity and Climate Change and Energy through presentations by environmental educators and children and schools, hands-on workshops and field trips; take action to address the challenges presented by Climate Change; develop an African network of children on environmental and Climate Change issues.
Francesco Govender, UNEP Junior Board member who has been involved in the organization of the Durban Conference said: “Most young people are interested in television, sports or computer games. We carry on with our lives as if environmental problems do not exist. But our planet needs us to pay more attention, before it is too late!”
“We can all do simple things to help the planet - things that do not require great effort or money to do such as, save water at home, school and at work, become energy-wise by saving electricity and reducing fuel consumption, reduce, reuse and recycle glass, paper and plastics, and teach everyone to care for the earth,” he added.
The Durban conference, the biggest African children’s gathering on climate change in the run up to the critical UN climate Conference in Denmark will also develop a climate change lesson plan for primary schools in Africa and will provide valuable input to the upcoming Korean Conference.
“The theme for this 2009 Regional Conference, ‘For Our Future’, cannot be overemphasized as the African children and youth are preparing to make valuable contributions to the Tunza International Children and Youth Conference, which will take place in Daejon, Republic of Korea from 17-23 August 2009. It is about caring for the future of our children, and the future of humanity. There are important adjustments that need to be made in our lifestyles, and little actions can cumulatively make a difference” Mr. Mounkaila Goumandakoye said.
This Tunza International Children and Youth Conference, in Daejeon, that will bring together more than 800 participants from over 100 countries, will be the biggest youth gathering on climate change before the UN climate conference in December. This will be a key opportunity to demand that their governments reach a scientifically-credible and far-reaching new climate agreement in Copenhagen.
The series of regional and international Children and Youth Conferences is part of the global UN-wide 'Seal the Deal!' campaign being spearheaded by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to galvanize political will and public support for reaching a comprehensive global climate agreement. Over the coming months, the 'Seal the Deal!' campaign will mobilize over one million young people to march across one hundred capitals and deliver to global leaders their declaration of priorities on climate change as agreed at the Tunza Conference.
Note to Editors
About the conference- The Conference will take place at the A M Moolla Spes Nova School in Durban. Some of the experiences for the children, include, the IMAX movie, “Under the Sea”, an after dark experience at uShaka Marine World, as well as a dolphin show, visits to the Umgeni River Bird Park, MTN Science Centre, the Moses Mabhida Soccer Stadiums, and a harbour cruise.
These conferences also provides participants with an opportunity to develop regional and global networks for joint implementation of environmental programmes. It acts as a forum for UNEP to receive input from young people on programmes and processes involving youth. In working together with the private sector, with governments and with youth organizations across the world, the Tunza Programme has established itself as one of the fora of the United Nations to bring youth, the multi-lateral system and the environmental issues that the world is facing today closer to each other.
About Tunza - UNEP started its work with young people in 1985, which was designated International Youth Year. Since then, it has developed several global and regional initiatives, activities and networks The UNEP Tunza Strategy is a comprehensive long- term strategy to promote the participation of children and youth in environmental activities and in the work of UNEP. It focuses on four thematic areas: awareness building, capacity building, information exchange and facilitating the involvement of young people in environmental decision- making. The word 'Tunza' means 'to treat with care or affection' in Kiswahili. For more information, please visit www.unep.org/Tunza/
About the participants - The children, aged 10-14, taking part in this regional conference are all involved in environmental and sustainable development activities and were selected on the basis of their environmental projects.
The South African participants were selected from schools who undertook climate change related projects in their schools or communities during 2008 and 2009. Four learners from two schools and an educator per province were chosen to attend. African delegates were chosen by UNEP, from their database of active primary schools.
About the AM Moolla Spes Nova School- The A M Moolla Spes Nova School is a public school with residential facilities, founded by the Natal Association for the Care and Rehabilitation of the Physically Disabled (formerly Natal Cripple Care Association and now known as Association for the Physically Disabled-Kwazulu Natal). The school caters for Cerebral Palsied and Physically Disabled pupils from Phoenix, Durban Central, South & North Durban regions.
Part of the legacy of the conference is to leave behind a school that has been improved with the substantial funds generated in accommodating the children during the conference and the funds made available for the improvement of the school’s surrounds for the conference.
For More Information Please Contact: Nick Nuttall, UNEP Spokesperson, Office of the Executive Director, on Tel: +254 20 762 3084; Mobile: +254 733 632 755, E-mail: Nick.Nuttall@unep.org or Angele Luh-Sy, Regional Information Officer, on Tel: 254 20 762 4292, Mobile: 254 722 429 770, E-mail: Angele.Luh@unep.org
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