AYICC-K GIVES A PRESENTATION AT THE MERCY CORPS CONFERENCE

 Antony giving a brief of what to expect during the presentation

On Monday the 30^th of April 2013, AYICC-K was invited to give a presentation to the Mercy Corps regional directors who were participating in an in house conference. This conference brought together all the directors including the country director and the assistant. This was a very interesting and challenging presentation first because we were dealing with an audience which did not have an understanding of what climate change is but was interested in taking part and playing a role in its mitigation and secondly because we had to use 20minutes to make them understand and convince them that it is worth playing a major role in its mitigation and adaptation. AYICC-K was represented by Antony Ogolla, the Chief Coordinator and Njeri Nancy who participated in the capacity not only as a member of the African Youth Initiative on Climate Change  (AYICC-K) ,but also as a communication intern at the Kenya School of Government. The conference was geared towards fostering cordial relations with AYICC-K and possible future engagements on tackling climate change from the youth perspectives.

  A section of the participants during the presentation

                            

Just to bring you up to speed with this organization, African Youth Initiative on Climate Change –Kenyan chapter is an umbrella organization which provides a platform for young people to engage in various activities for personal growth and also towards initiating sustainable developments and environmental conservation.

We hear about it, other times see it and in extreme circumstances, have first-hand experience on the adverse effects that come along with it. However; most of us have dry knowledge when it comes to climate change .This is attributed to the thought many possess concerning the same. However, climate change remains the biggest threat to humanity in modern times. The African continent is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and science affirms that if the emissions aren’t curbed, droughts and floods will be more common and agricultural yields which form the backbone of most of Africa’s economy will decline dramatically. The result will be starvation, migration, resource wars and tremendous suffering.

Mercy Corps works with youth to address the root of conflict and empower them to champion peace. In addition, they promote sustainable change by supporting initiatives that are community-led, market-driven and promote good governance, a goal which the African Youth Initiative on Climate Change also upholds. For this purpose therefore, youth and climate change is one of the areas the organization endeavors to engage in and AYICC-K is best suited to provide the needed platform for their youth.

About Mercy Corps

The organization was founded in 1979 as Save the Refugees Fund, a task force organized by Dan O’Neill in response to the plight of Cambodian refugees fleeing the famine, war and genocide of the “killing fields.” Its mission is to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. In its operation the organization believes that

• Communities are the best agents of their own change.
• Local markets are the best engines of sustainable recovery.
• Success is built on the foundation of good governance.

The organization employs the following strategy in its work

• Focus on places in transition, where conflict, disaster, political upheaval or economic collapse present opportunities to challenge the status quo and build more secure, productive and just communities.
• Provide emergency relief in times of crisis, then move quickly to help communities recover and build resilience to future shocks.
• Promote sustainable change by supporting initiatives that are community-led, market-driven and promote good governance.
• Seek innovation that creates major breakthroughs against poverty and lasting change in the places we work.

 Njeri giving a brief about AYICC-K

                                           

    Prepared by Antony Ogolla and Njeri Nancy

Racing for the Earth: Earth Day 2013

Enthusiastic Earth Day Participants

As the population breaks it banks and competes with amount of gradual increase of waste in our suburbs and street allies as our industries belch out smoke and toxins to mother earth, as negotiator s strategize on their next move and stand in COP 19 the earth is weeping of the impacts of  human interest. This therefore calls for more hands on actions to reduce our impacts on our environment and for intensive of all stakeholders’ participation towards achievement of the same. It is against this backdrop that African Youth Initiative on Climate Change Kenya (AYICC),  in partnership with Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), Community and the youth of Thogoto village, Kikuyu came together to celebrate the earth as they joined other worldwide Earth Day celebration on 21st April 2013. It was in an effort to “give back” to the earth for its goodness in through its various services provisioning: their productive agricultural lands, cultural: traditional religious centers, regulatory: climate, air and water quality control e.g. the ondiri swamp, supportive: production of oxygen and soil formation.

The celebration was done in style: cycle for the environment dubbed Earth Race attraction participation of professional and upcoming cyclist from Ridestrong Cycling Foundation, Safari Simbaz and individual participants young and old. 

Earth Race cyclists all ready to go!

By: Gladys N. Gatiba

Earth Day 2013: Press Release

“Earth Race”

Release Date: 21^st April 2013

Venue:  Thogoto Town Centre,

Time: 9am – 4pm

 “There is a need for more unity and synergy in promoting environmental conservation”. These remarks were made by Mr. Francis Wainaina, Kikuyu County Representative yesterday during 2013’s Earth Race at Thogoto Town Centre. The activity was organised by Ride-strong cycling foundation in partnership with African Youth Initiative on Climate Change – Kenya (AYICC-K) http://www.kenyanclimateyouth.blogspot.com to mark this year’s World Earth Day  (http://www.earthday.org). The event dubbed Thogoto Green Earth Race Challenge – 2013 aimed at raising awareness on sustainable lifestyles (cycling) that enhance the appreciation of the earth’s resources (environment-friendly mode of transport) while building strong, healthy and drug free youth who will foster a green economy nation to eradicate poverty and curb climate change.

The event drew its participants from over 1,000 local community, leaders (County Rep Mr. Francis Wainaina), cyclists, universities (Nairobi University, Kenyatta University, Presbyterian University of East Africa), Non Governmental Organisations (wildlife Africa and Nature products), Government Agencies (e.g. municipal council) Community Based Organisations (Thogoto Usafi Self Help Group) as well as private sector.

The event features tree planting, where the local community joined hands in tree planting, cycling, entertainments as well as presentations from different participants. The cyclists went through an endearing 50Km course around the Kikuyu area. The competition categories were women category - 2 participants, elites category – 10 participants, junior category 9 partipants, black mamba category – 6 participants, all covering 50 kms. The overall winner was Mr. David Kinja who completed the race in 1 hours and 41 minutes.

In his speech, the county representative noted and acknowledged the youth’s commitment in environmental conservation and pledged his full support in such initiatives. His remarks were echoed by different speakers who pointed out that environmental conservation is a responsibility of every citizen.

Fagging off of the cycling race

The cycling team after the race

Tree planting, which was part of the event

Some of the participants who attended the event

Kiambu county representative issuing certificate to winners

The overall winner, Mr David Kinja

PROUD SPONSORS: Pan African Climate Justice Alliance PACJA, Nature Production, Green Africa Foundation, Reriani Hotels, Alphine Coolers, Kiambu County Municipal, Kenya Red Cross Kenya Police and  Wildlife Africa.

Prepared by: Kennedy Wahome

The Quest For Sustainable Cities; The UN-HABITAT 24th Governing Council

Some of the delegates at the conference

The 24^th United Nation Human Settlements Programme UNHABITATGC24 was held in the United Nation Office in Nairobi UNON- Kenya from the 15^th to the 19^th April 2013 under the theme of Sustainable Urban Development: The Role of Cities In Creating Improved Economic Opportunities For All, With Special Reference To Youth and Gender. The governing council was a biennial meeting attended by members of the United Nations, the United Nations organizations including specific agencies, the Habitat agenda partners, intergovernmental organizations, Local authorities, and non-governmental organizations; a total of 1144 delegates from 107 countries attended the meeting. The UNHABITAT director Joan Clos and the Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta opened the meeting creating a lot of forwardness looking in the coming days of the meeting. The meeting began on a high note recognizing the young people and women that is the UHNABITAT Youth Unit and women unit for taking part in the Governing Council. 

The Conference started on a high note highlighting the need to create Sustainable cities since the world is moving toward urban life and there was need to improve cities lives, Cities are becoming interdependent and similar in away because of networking and there was need to encourage Local Authorities, national governments regional and international bodies to create more networking opportunities. The meeting also Highlighted inclusivity and diversifying leadership for a sustainable future. It was noticed that migration to cities still creates gettorization, women and youth being the majority victims. Women and youth are the majority population and if they are neglected this causes Urban crisis a good example brought by the Somali delegate deputy Major of Mogadishu, Iman Nur Icar “The word Shaabab means youth and if they are neglected they organize themselves and carry out bandit business” his calls out for inclusion of youth and women in building the future cities we want; they are not only leaders of tomorrow but they lead now in building a sustainable future. Women and young people are also policy implementers and the need to include them in policy making will stop distance decay between the Policy conductors and implementers. For effective planning there should be a harmonious relation btw the two parties which are implementers and formulators. The meeting also highlighted the need to enhance diversity and inclusion at local, national, regional and global level including harmonizing the relationship between civil societies and governments; this relation will help in bringing comprehensive development. The need for networking with different entities creates an opportunity for diversifying leadership and inclusivity. 

Economic issues came on the table and academics highlighted that majority of women in the Global south still cannot access capital this makes it had for women to reflect in the world’s economy. Land is very crucial issues as public land still have a question. There is need for legal land policies which will sustain public land financial mechanism. Urbanization resolution will only be achieved if societies come from tilling the land to levying land.

The United Nations, for statistical purposes, defines “youth,” as those persons between the ages of 15 and 24 years, approximately one billion youth live in the world today. This means that one person in five is between the age of 15 and 24 years, or 18% of the world’s populations are "youth", and children (5-14 years) comprise of 19.8%, by the year 2025 the population of rural-urban migration will increase and majority will be women and youth; this calls for their inclusion in decision making. The majority (almost 85%) of the world’s youth live in developing countries, with approximately 60 percent in Asia alone. A remaining 23 percent live in the developing regions of Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean. By 2025, the number of youth living in developing countries will grow to 89.5%. Therefore, it is necessary to take youth issues into considerations in the development agenda and policies of each country. There are efforts already made in building sustainable cities and yet extra miles effort is still are still needed. The United Nation system has made tireless efforts to include young people in decision making since 1948 the Universal declaration for human rights. 

Democracy is the best form of governance when it comes to youth engagement in the decision making. Open systems will create an environment for young people to take part in leadership. Today we have the youth structure at the united nation tabling the youth agenda. During the UNHABITAT 24^th governing council the UNHABITAT youth unit Youth Advisory Board YAB, comprising of representatives of all regions across the world organized youth forums and also participating at the high level meeting rubbing shoulders with policy makers to influence decisions. Emphases were made on the use of Information Communication and Technology ICT as a tool to create change. Through ICT a network of young people can be used to handle both common and different challenges facing the young population across the globe. YAB emphasized on the use of ICT as a means of communication and engagement in the quest for positive change. ICT has made the world a global village this helps the world population to communicate across the globe and it is sustainable as compared to physical meetings

The GC24 conference recognized the Government of Brazil’s hosting of the High Level Panel on Youth at Rio +20 through which the final declaration supports the ongoing work on UN-Habitat and the Youth 21 initiative in developing processes to better engage youth within the UN system. The Norwegian government has supported the Young people and adults share joint responsibility on the advisory board to The UN-HABITAT Opportunities Fund for Urban Youth-led Development established in 2009 including the YOUTH21 which was launched in Oslo in 2011.  The federal Government  of Nigeria and Ondo State in Nigeria  contributed USD 5 million to United Nation human settlement Programme; the USD 2 million from Ondo State government  will be used to help different programmes including youth empowerment, slum grading local economic enterprises and land reforms. Nigeria has also taken the lead in Africa in tabling youth policy at the national level; this is a legal framework to bring the youth in decision making table. A lot of private sector also shown interest in supporting the initiative this includes the Chandaria industries in Kenya, Baden Aniline and Soda Factory, BSF from Germany. 

The Governing council brought resolutions and highlighted the need to create structures, strategies and dialogue initiative which will support sustainable cities. Several resolutions were adopted after five days of intense discussions and negotiations impacting positively on the work of UN-Habitat and the lives of millions of urban dwellers.

REFERENCES

http://www.unhabitat.org/list.asp?typeid=17&catid=744

http://www.unhabitat.org/list.asp?typeid=18&catid=744

http://www.papersmart.unon.org/habitatgc24/  

Compiled by: Clifford Collins Omondi

Tragedy in sustainable landuse

Willing seller and willing buyer; does that rings a bell? I believe it does. Land tenure in Kenya has been a contentious issue since the white man boarded a plane back home. It being a crucial factor of production has aroused a myriad of feelings among the common mwanachi(citizen ). The unpleasant impact of the colonial regime still running deep in our lands, evidently from the ongoing cases in UK courts by the mau mau veterans. Unfortunate enough, “wanjiku” (kenya) entrusted our leaders who tirelessly fought for our independence the responsibility of giving back what the colonial government forcefully took from our fathers, believing that they had our interest at heart, that the colonial settlement camps will no longer be home but a passing cloud. Little did we know that this was eternity, home forever? Population grew steadily in our new homes. Farming remained the source of food and livelihood. Inheritance, a dominant cultural practice was and has not been eroded hence the land grew smaller, literally. 

Agricultural land has gradually been exploited in pursuit of food, rivers highly polluted and overexploited from its multiple uses, domestic use, watering animals, farming, and industrial uses. A new disaster hit the land, climate change grabbing the last bit of glory from the already depleted natural land. Land that was communally owned and governed gradually became the bone of contention. Everyone ensuring they get an equal piece of the cake, overgrazing, uncontrolled farming, among others subjected the land to depletion at its maximum. Tragedy at its best hit our common resource, land. (Tragedy of the commons)

Further away from the settlement camps were the vast lands that have been subjected to commercial production, large trucks of tea, sisal, pineapple plantations. Where protection of land degradation becomes an option, economic rationalism governs its utilization. The best crop/investment that brings forth sweetest fruit rules the day. As land changes hands, so does power. The willing buyer and the willing seller invade. Their word becomes law. Common mwananchi (citizen) is reduced to a mere factor of production. The efforts to curtail any development that may cut them off from their daily bread is considered hindrance to modernization and advancing production through technology (a case of tea pickers against mechanized tea picking in nyayo tea zones, Kenya). Their persistence through various strikes to air their grievances subject them to the law normally interpreted in favor of modernization, their plea   sidelined and considered irrational and archaic. The higher the marginal benefit the gradual increase in the ecological foot print, land is henceforth used as infinite resource. Fertilizers and other biochemical became the order of the day; our highly valued land becomes a series of unrelated resource. Climate change takes a toll on already depleted resource, efforts to mitigate this affects cost us emotional, physical and economic muscles. Land enclosure/individualization, having seemed a solution as a land tenure system becomes a tragedy in itself. (Tragedy of enclosure)

It is therefore, evident that land tenure provides a legal and normative framework within which agricultural, economic and any other land use systems are conducted. Tenure insecurities either customary or statutory affects this activity, Kenya being highly agricultural makes it imperative that the legislators pursues policies and land tenure systems that promote sustainable land use and development.

By: Gladys N. Gatiba

       

WOMEN IN THE POLITICAL ECONOMYAND THE STRUGGLE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

 In the past outcome of the Conference of Parties COP 18 Qatar, Doha, countries agreed to sign the Kyoto Protocol; as a policy analyst one would agree that the stages in policy process are interlinked and that sometimes formation and implementation embraces the other. It is a question to have policies and another it implement it. Doha negotiations brought the world from climate change to climate crisis. Climate change is a global issue and must be addressed; Kenya as to the countries of the South we still fall to the periphery of the world system and that we are still dependent of the North; this brings to the attention woman and youth in the South are in the bottom of the world system.

International political economy is characterized by survival for the fittest and those with economic muscles will excel. The Marxist school of thought holds that the female gender is a property of the patriarchal society. She is a laborer owned by this institution. The world system theory holds that the world is one political economy and that the worlds pie is not shared equally on the other hand dependency theory has caused carbon millage which brings about green house gasses. Many countries in the North produce secondary and tertiary products while the South produces raw products. Women in the south are the majority laborers yet they are not reflected in the economy; culture, socialization and the church has caused underpinning to women since they do not inherit property, they have no right to control productive capital and they play consumptive role and not productive role. It is important to note that they are not reflected in the economy and yet they are being exploited. 

When I visited some of the flower companies in Naivasha, Kenya I noticed many laborers are women, they work tirelessly with gross salary of ten thousand Kenya shillings a month with the high Kenyan economy and extreme working conditions yet valentine is a special day and lovers buy flowers at a very high price to express their love to loved ones. Women are being used affectively and not effectively. Climate change is a reality in the world and in the countries of the south women suffer more because of their consumptive role they play; they majorly produce for the households which depend on them and also fight for their legal autonomy by working outside their family to put bread on the table. 

Economists use Gross NationalIncome GNI and Gross Domestic Product GDP to measure national development which is not a true indication of development. Comprehensive development must reflect the entire populace; people must be able to afford basic needs. Women in the South are the majority laborers yet in economic development they are not reflected; they are not eligible to own land, to own production and they are not allowed in the political process. they are only a statistic in the developmental issue.

Globalization has eroded sovereignty to become a global village; the third world still suffer because there is still no balance in the economic structure of the international system; the Cereals for example are bought from the cereal boards by famers. In the African tradition there was a scientific technique to preserve cereals for the next planting season which was not expensive while today cereals are being bought from cereal cooperatives; this has made the famers who the majority are women suffer from dependency because the climate patterns are not predicted and the outcome of the harvest is also unknown causing farmers/women to be on debt. 

Feminism still suffers big time; there are different strands of feminisms that is the Western feminism which addresses equality while the Third World feminism addresses equity. This accommodative of diversity has led to a prolonged struggle towards the realization of women’s right and privileges as members of the larger society. The diversity has contributed to the continued struggle. There is need for women issues to be addressed in the Global arena on one focus which is Womanism and neither regional nor domestic, for women issues are universal. Both equity and equality is necessary for women growth in addressing climate change issues. 

Both international laws and domestic laws have universalize issues and that both gender are subjected to law in the same way while the male gender has jogged ahead on leadership; for a sustainable future women must be included in decision making and their issues must be addressed globally. Policy makers must buy the culture and political will of including women in policy formation and implementation in order to attain a sustainable and green economy.

By: Clifford Collins Omondi