FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Youth4Nature delegation of 6 youth leaders from across Afrika attend the African Protected Areas Congress (#APAC2022) happening from July 18-23 in Kigali, Rwanda. The first of its kind, the congress convenes Afrikan conservation minds in a unique format to engage on key issues surrounding conservation of protected and conserved areas across the region under the theme, "Promoting a sustainable future for Africa."
For far too long, conservation dialogues across the Afrika have been spearheaded by outsiders, sidelining youth, local communities, and Indigenous knowledge and perpetuating tokenistic and fortress approaches in conservation across the continent. #APAC2022 aims to change this, serving as an Afrikan-initiated and owned dialogue, co-creating an agenda that meets the needs of Afrika’s #ProtectedAreas. The congress will provide knowledge sharing, partnerships, and collaboration opportunities for conservation stakeholders in the region.
At Youth4Nature, we know that Afrikan youth are already leaders for protected areas and need a seat at the table to co-shape policy and implementation processes and decisions. Our Y4N Afrika Delegation joins fellow youth at the congress to recognize and advocate for the critical role that youth, local communities, and Indigenous knowledge play in co-management and conservation of protected areas in decisions making and on-the-ground action. Through various events focused on conservation dialogues, storytelling workshops & exhibitions, and exploration of Nature-based Solutions in Afrika, the Y4N Afrika Delegation is creating space for youth and youth allies to participate in and influence the narrative of and action for protected areas, for our needs today and in the future.
“We are witnessing a global revolution toward sustainability, yet many people are anxious about the future- while the solutions are there, proactive leadership is still lacking.”
Across Afrika, it is clear that fortress conservation is not the answer. Initiatives involving communities in conservation have demonstrated that people living near conservation areas play essential roles in their protection. Conservation can harness local knowledge rather than alienating it. They demonstrate how community-based approaches to conservation benefit not only biodiversity but also human well-being. The future is here! We need to change how we live and relate with nature to ensure a better world across generations.
“Once you work in civil society, you know you cannot do it alone. It is teamwork. When you do it alone, you run the risk that when you are no longer there, nobody else will do it.””
For more information about the Y4N’s participation in the Africa Protected Areas Congress please contact Delegation Communications Lead, Orieny Japheth by email: jephmacorieny@gmai.com or whatsapp: +254 758 174 496.
More about Youth4Nature:
Youth4Nature (Y4N) is a by-youth, for-youth, international non-profit organisation that educates, equips, and establishes youth as leaders on system-wide solutions for the nature and climate crises that are rooted in traditional & scientific knowledge and are grounded in intergenerational justice. We do this through capacity building, knowledge sharing & storytelling programmes.
Alternative contacts:
Kaluki Paul Mutuku (Kenya), +254 719 360527
Peter Bulimo (Kenya), +254 708 272420
Adiza Abdul-Rafiu Mohammed (Ghana), +233 24 015 8662
Leonard Iyamuremye (Rwanda), +250 738 110 139
Aiita Joshua Apamaku (Uganda), +256 784 457768
Youth4Nature, hello@youth4nature.org