The Nairobi Summer School on Climate Justice, a transformative initiative that aimed to equip participants with the tools to champion climate justice across the African continent, took place at Kenyatta University from 3rd to 15th July.
The intensive two-week training provided a comprehensive overview of climate justice, its significance, and actionable strategies for addressing climate-related challenges. Following the training, participants embarked on a new journey, taking the knowledge and insights gained back to their respective organizations and communities back in their respective countries.
The rich tapestry of experiences and expertise contributed to a dynamic learning environment, fostering vibrant discussions and the cross-pollination of ideas. While their backgrounds varied, they all shared a common aspiration: to drive positive change and address the pressing issues of climate justice in their home countries.
The participants’ journeys took distinct paths, showcasing the broad scope of impact the Nairobi Summer School had on individuals across Africa. Several participants conveyed that the training enhanced their capacity to strategize and engage effectively within their organizations.
Boitumelo Marumo from Botswana shared, “The training equipped me with innovative approaches to advocate for climate adaptation within my organization. The networks made at Nairobi Summer School helped with new entries for African Women’s Voices booklet. This is a communication initiative headed by myself to collect stories from women in Africa about their experience with CC either as people affected or as people in Climate action. This newfound expertise led to increased collaboration and recognition.”
For some participants, the training acted as a catalyst for professional growth. Cheickana Ouedraogos, from Burkina Faso, revealed, “As for future projects, my comrades and I, with the support of the designated national platform in Burkina Faso, we intend to conduct a restitution workshop in the coming days on the knowledge acquired and sharing of experiences of our participation in the third Cohort. During this workshop we plan to: Stimulate more interest among young people to integrate more into climate-related issues and pass on the knowledge acquired during the Nairobi Summer School on Climate Justice to young activists, and members of the national designated platforms.”
Others emphasized the profound impact the training had on their community engagement efforts. Mohamed Abdilahi Yusuf, a community leader and facilitator for the Centre for Climate Change and Land Restoration (CCCLR) from Somalia noted, “Armed with practical communication tools from the training, I initiated workshops that aims to equip youth with the concepts of climate justice and its relevance to youth activism. Participants will discuss strategies for promoting climate justice in their communities, and will share Experiences of the Nairobi Summer school on climate justice.” He reiterated.
Many participants revealed that the training equipped them to engage more effectively in policy discussions. John Carl, a policy analyst from Philippine, expressed, “I gained a deep understanding of policy formulation and negotiation strategies. This enabled me to advocate for climate-sensitive policies at the national level. I also gained the following insights from the training; The African perspective of climate justice, the global South Context of Loss and damage and the engagement with communities in climate change.”
Through post-training reflections, a common thread emerged – the Nairobi Summer School on Climate Justice had a transformative impact on participants’ perspectives and approaches. Many participants highlighted the importance of networking, knowledge sharing, and solidarity in their climate justice journeys. Ivy Gatwiri, a participant from Save the Children Organization in Kenya, encapsulated this sentiment: “The bonds formed during the training are priceless. We have become a network of change agents spread across Africa, each armed with unique insights and a shared commitment to climate justice.”
The Nairobi Summer School on Climate Justice achieved its intended goal of empowering a cohort of dedicated individuals to lead the charge for climate justice in their respective spheres of influence. The post-training reflections provided a glimpse into the ripple effect generated by the training, showcasing diverse success stories that spanned organizational, professional, and community dimensions. As these change agents continue to champion climate justice, their collective efforts promise a more resilient and equitable future for Africa and the World.
