PACJA Launches Cohort III Training For Climate Actors

The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) in partnership with Kenyatta University launched the third cohort of the Nairobi Summer School of Climate Justice (NSSCJ Cohort III). The official launch was held at Kenyatta University which co-hosts the initiative as it is the venue of the program as well. The program trains climate activists, players in the sector for climate change as well as students with an intention of changing how the narrative of climate change is shared and seeking solutions to the climate change crisis.


An emphasis on the urgency for climate justice considering the manifestations of climate change being so evident on the global stage, affecting both food production, weather patterns, and in turn health. It’s due to these that Mr. Mithika Mwenda called for the demystification of the climate justice notion and for creating more awareness amongst the people from students to policymakers.


Dr. Mithika Mwenda, the Executive Director of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) said that introspecting on the two years the initiative has been on, it’s worth jubilation. Revealing that PACJA having a presence in up to 45 countries intends on making the African narratives on climate change more understood. Highlighting the challenge of lacking data and information on the effects of climate change in African countries hence the adoption of narratives that at most times don’t fit our challenges.


“Two years back we commenced this noble initiative on the NSSCJ. To us, it was a bold dream to see young people being in the stewardship of climate justice efforts in this continent. It was a dream that has become a reality. Nairobi Summer School is an opportunity for scaling higher actions and importance of acting on climate change as the youth are highly involved considering the fact that they are main -players who will push for change more once they comprehend this factor,” said Dr. Mithika about the cohorts program.

Dr. Mithika Mwenda, the Executive Director of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA)


Mithika further added that the achievement would not have been possible if there was not the hand of Kenyatta University with which PACJA is partnering as a hosting institution of the initiative.


Dr. Joseph Kurauka, the Chairperson of the Department of Environmental Studies and Community Development at Kenyatta University affirmed that University’s partnership with PACJA yielded results by equipping the young generation with skills and knowledge of issues pertaining to climate change, environment, and Climate Justice.


“To affirm our commitment, I am glad to share with you that Kenyatta University’s Department of Environmental Studies and Community Development is processing accredited certification and master’s studies in areas of climate Justice”, disclosed Dr. Kurauka.


JKUAT is on the frontline of championing for development of solutions to climate change challenges by supporting evidence-based research, innovations, and technology and guiding the researchers constructively.


Prof. Wanjohi who represented the Vice Chancellor emphasized the role of the young generation in carrying forward awareness and commended the importance of equipping them with skills and knowledge on climate change and climate justice. Urging for more consideration of players who have started on something about the climate change action response in their levels, community, or educational.


“I believe that Climate Change is everywhere and is affecting all of us. I hope that the applicants to be selected will be in that dynamism of bringing change because climate change has become a global Challenge we are currently facing”, said Prof. Wanjohi.

Prof. Waceke Wanjohi Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)


Prof Wanjohi lauded PACJA for the initiative as she pointed out that climate change is a global agenda that needs to entail various players from both the public and private sectors as they aim at being more vocal and audible on the matter. The key issue is finding solutions for these challenges faced to deal with the situation at hand.

Nancy Githaiga, Country Director, of the African Wildlife Foundation, said that Climate change has hit Africa and Kenya in particular direly, hence joint efforts are needed to address the challenge also insisting that the youth should be equipped with knowledge that will drive the change. Giving an example of how the wildlife had to be fed on the hay means there’s great competition between the domestic animals and wildlife that makes it hard for wildlife to survive.


“It’s during this prolonged drought that we have lost more wildlife than we have ever lost to poaching before, thus urgent solutions have to be developed. We have a responsibility because our action or inaction on the matter of climate change will definitely speak. Voices of young people must be heard but also there must be solutions through action,” reiterated Nancy.


During the launch of the third cohort of the NSSCJ the alumni of the Nairobi Summer school of Climate Justice shared experiences of the knowledge earned from the last cohort. Mrs. Jiata Ekele from Nigeria says she managed to carry out sensitization and advocacy through creative content writing and storytelling across all her social media handles daily not forgetting her effort of speaking to webinars monthly.


“Nairobi Summer School on Climate Justice equipped me with knowledge on climate change advocacy and other correlative concepts such as climate justice, climate finance tool kits, social media campaign strategy, and good networking skills”, said Mrs. Jiata.


Salem Mihindeou Ayenan from the Republic of Benin commended the knowledge gained from the school and the role it has played in supporting him in driving change in the community in Benin and on the continent. Hence commending PACJA for the push as positivity is core in averting the climate change crisis.


“The experience and knowledge earned from the Nairobi Summer School gave me an opportunity to be trusted by UNESCO which selected me to be among eight members of the UNESCO-African Focus Group Discussion on greening curriculum on climate education, who participated in the survey of more than 17,400 young people around the world”, confirmed Salem.


Jesse David from Nairobi, Kenya engaged in climate change and climate Justice after being trained by Nairobi Summer School on Climate Justice and now he is engaging youth in matters relating to climate Justice thus lauds PACJA for the initiative.


“It really empowered me to be of impact, even at the institution level at Kenyatta University and being an ambassador of the Green Education Hub, I’ve been able to interact with students who are coming to learn, coming to express themselves, to understand what the opportunities look like for them and what role they can play to be of impact to the organization” testified Jesse David.

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