In order to achieve inclusive youth action for climate change in Uganda, it is imperative to underline the gravity of the climate problem that continues to become a global threat.
Climate change poses a growing threat by exacerbating environmental degradation and increasing the frequency of natural disasters, affecting both developed and developing nations. International bodies and agreements like the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the UN 2030 Agenda emphasize the interconnectedness of social, economic, and environmental issues in sustainable development.
According to the report released the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO Uganda) and it’s partners, its however unfortunate that Ugandan youth lack opportunities, financial resources, capacity, and an organized structure for meaningful engagement in climate activism and policy discussions.
This Policy Report is the result of an extensive study involving more than 1000 stakeholders from all around the nation, as well as cross-disciplinary cooperation and expertise.
“Calls have been made to involve youth in climate discourse by government agencies, but they argue that young climate activists operate independently and lack the capacity to engage effectively in climate policy matters.” Said the GAYO Uganda Country Manager, Betty Osei Bonsu.
Below are some research key findings;
Gender Disparity: More males than females are involved in climate activism (66% male, 34% female).
Awareness of Climate Policies: A significant majority (85%) of respondents were aware of the existence of climate policies, while 13% had no idea, and 2% were unsure.
Knowledge of Climate Change Impacts: 54% of respondents knew about the impacts of climate change, 27% did not, and 19% were unsure.
Involvement in Policy Formulation: Half of the respondents (50%) reported their involvement in policy formulation, while 45% were not involved, and 5% were unsure.
Participation Channels: Most respondents (65%) participated in the development of climate policies through youth-led organizations and networks, followed by involvement in task force working groups (48%) and discussions with government representatives (31%).
Barriers to Youth Engagement: 66% of respondents felt that there was not enough funding and support for young people to participate in the development of climate policies. The most significant barriers included a lack of knowledge about opportunities for engagement (65%) and limited access to decision-making processes (54%). Discrimination against young people was a concern for 42% of respondents.
READ FULL REPORT HERE: https://lnkd.in/euERvzzr
