Experience at NYCCC 3

The National Youth Conference on Climate Change organized by the Kenya Youth Climate Network(KYCN) was held on the 27th-30th October at the Multi Media Universiy in Nairobi.Edna, a member of the organizing team shares her experience.........

Experience at NYCCC 3

 As I reminiscence on the long strenuous days and organizing meetings at NCA boardroom, that were part of the organizing of the 3^rd National Youth Conference on Climate Change, I smile and tell myself, it was a wonderful experience.

A few hitches emerged when it came to fundraising for this worthy cause that affected advance purchases of both Stationery and Publicity materials i.e. Banner, Brochures, Posters and T-shirts. Am still glad that even after getting four Quotations from different Creative Companies that were requirements from logistics Committee, all present were in agreement with our choice (Wendy and I) of service procurement from Chez Promotions Ltd. They managed to make us some of the best high quality merchandise I have not seen in a long time, in the shortest time possible. Thank God for that.

The Stationery selection was done from different Stockists and Seal Honey had the best deal for buying in bulk.

It was nice seeing the smiles as we appreciated the panelists and all participants in attendance with T-shirts.

The wealth of knowledge packed in the participant’s Information Packs and those collected from the Side Events Exhibition will go a long way in cementing their various leadership positions. All this, thanks to CCCU in Office of The Prime Minister- Kenya, Norwegian Church Aid, AGRA, ACTS, UNEP/ DEPI, UNEP/DCPI, TUNZA UNEP and Entrepreneur skills exhibited by Akatsa Creations& Youth in Community Development Organization, Eco-sandals, Mully Children’s Family, President’s Award, World Youth Alliance, St. Johns Community Center, AYICC’s Rural Energy Enterprise Network all went a long way in imparting the youth with environmental sustainable job creation ideas on self-employment.

The Communication’s team was happy that we put our part of the budget allocation to good use.

In between my duties during the Conference on-goings, I did manage to engage with other Youth leaders and also get a word or two from the knowledgeable panelists.

The Kenya Youth Climate Network (KYCN) members in the Organizing committee worked as best as they could helping eachother carry their docket’s well to the last day. Am glad to have been part of them and the Conference.

I would over and over again work with the Communication team members, in this Organizing Committee for another Event Organizing.

  

-Edna Njunu-

Communications docket,

Organizing Committee, 3rd National Youth Conference on Climate Change.

KENYA NATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE ON CLIMATE CHANGE

KENYA NATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE ON CLIMATE CHANGE

October 28 – 29 2010, Multi Media University, Mbagathi

Climate Change is a global threat that can only be tackled through urgent collective and concerted action. The impacts of climate change in Kenya cannot be underestimated – in 2009, over 3.5 million Kenyans faced severe food shortages as a result of failed rainfall seasons leading to intense drought.

The understanding of and action on climate change among the youth in Kenya is still very low, yet they are important change agents on environmental issues both at community and national levels.

The Office of the Prime Minister in partnership with Norwegian Church Aid, Oxfam and the Kenya Youth Climate Network (KYCN) will host the Third National Youth Conference on Climate Change, on Thursday 28 to Friday 29^th October 2010 at the Multi Media University (former Kenya College of Communication Technology - KCCT), Mbagathi, Nairobi.

This is the third National Youth Conference on Climate Change and will bring together more than 120 youth leaders from all over the country and from diverse backgrounds including students, musicians, local youth groups, faith based institutions, environmental organization and others with the aim of sensitizing the youth on a wide range of leadership skills on issues ranging from climate change, entrepreneurship, governance and environmental conservation and sustainability.

KYCN was founded in 2009 in the in the run up to the 15^th Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and represents youth organizations and networks that work on environment and governance issues from a youth perspective in Kenya, with close partnership in Africa and globally.

The organizations and networks that form KYCN have for the last five years mobilized, trained and supported youth from all over the country to learn and establish initiatives in their communities that tackle climate change, environment and leadership.

THE MALTA EXPERIENCE

"It is the privilege of posterity to set matters right between those antagonists who, by their rivalry for greatness, divided a whole age."

Joseph Addison

From the 3rd-5th September, young leaders gathered a Malta camp in one of the most thought provoking sessions they had ever been to.............one that can only be......

THE MALTA EXPERIENCE

By Clayton Opiyo

Imagine putting a group of twenty immensely intelligent young leaders together in the middle of nowhere! One thing you can be sure of is craziness and fun. However on top of that it was indeed a truly inspiring and a motivational two day get away for all of us. The Malta camp was organized by the Norwegian Church Aid for young leaders cutting across the divide. Right from globe-trotters in policy formulation and advocacy to the practical ground-implementing persons.

It is worthwhile to note that this was an extraordinary experience for all since most trainings and meetings we have been conducting had all been indoors in hotels and guests houses! Well everything has got its first time. The venue was as wild as can be and as serene in an ideal way. It is located near Sagana on a vast range of land undiluted with any modernity, left entirely natural. Temperatures were always high during the day, occasionally we managed to see a few lizards and snakes. To crown it all, we slept in tents. It was a thrilling yet captivating outdoor experience.

Of great importance was when the brains of these crazy young people were engaged. It’s important to note that the Kenya National Youth Climate Network began its activities early on in the year at Kasarani Sports View Hotel with only ten participants. The Malta experience brought in 20 people. Talk of 100 % growth in less than a year.

At one time we got to carefully examine our country. Kenya suffers from a myriad of problems, ranging from corruption, nepotism, negative ethnicity and high levels of unemployment and poverty. Despite these, young people still show great optimism and hope for the future of the country. We came to the realization that if things are to get any better, we have to be more proactive rather than reactive to circumstances. We were challenged to get more involved in leadership and court power as we came to the realization that power is never given, it is seized.

One session highly appreciated was that of Mr. Paul Mbole of NCA. He gave a captivating talk and his entire session was thought provoking, mind boggling and above all action inciting. He opened our eyes towards more than what we normally see. It is therefore little wonder that his challenges to us formed part of our resolution and set targets.

Serious during the day, but equally at ease at night, participants’ passion was showed during the bonfires when they sang all manner of crazy patriotic songs (‘kupedikale’ is a national song….) and all manner of ‘mchongoano’ (bamba 20 knows himself)

It indeed was a truly fantastic experience which anyone (I know I would) wish to relieve again. Watch out though, because the people from the Malta camp are on fire to actualize whatever was learnt.

There is no word that can perfectly describe the experience. The only word that comes close is….AWESOME.

By Clayton Opiyo

WHY I AM VOTING FOR EVANS WADONGO

I believe that young people have a huge role to play in changing the society, and this has just been proofed by one, among many others, Evans Wadongo from Western Kenya.
Only 23 years old, but he has been able to use his energy, knowledge, time and passion to contribute to poverty alleviation and improvement of livelihoods in Kenya rural homes.
I am humbled by his initiative. He has been able to distribute 10,000 solar lamps to homes and still going on. It may seem a small action, but its the small actions for each one of us that really will count.
http://cnn.com/video/?/video/living/2010/02/11/cnnheroes.wadongo.profile.cnn

I also pay reference to the great Show by Baaba Maal last night at the National Museums of Kenya on 'Role of Media in transforming Lives'. I was intrigued by his words on young people and their role in transforming Africa.
The huge resource that Africa has and need to invest more in are the Youth and Women. They are in the present and the future. They are passionate, see things differently, and are always ready to have an impact.

This is very true of what Evans Wadongo has been doing with his community. And thats why i voted for him  to let the whole world know that Youth Are Able!!!

'FROM YONDER'

I felt the thorn tear at my heart

Watching silently the gush of the waters

In the serenity of the silence

The pain gnashed ever so persistently

Like an ulcer untreated; a cancer

Waters gush and crush against solid rock

Birds sing and chant in their trees, in the skies

Rocks still and undulating as of eons

Hills rise and fall in surreal harmony

Trees sway and swing in rhythm

But man rants and self-annihilates to nothingness

~~Asiti~~