Cycling from Balaka to Lilongwe for climate youth justice

National Youth Network on Climate Change (NYNCC) in collaboration with Save the Children, Initiative for Climate Action & Development (ICAD) and other key stakeholders seek to hold the first-ever National children’s summit on climate justice as a way of sending a message to the Malawi Government, development partners, United Nations and key stakeholders on the need to build a stronger and responsive child-friendly climate response in Malawi which is vital in protecting children from the impacts of climate change. 

According to National Youth Network on Climate Change Advocacy Communications Officer Clement Makuwa said Youth and Children Cycling for Climate Justice from Balaka to Lilongwe for three days its aim is to raise awareness on the impact of climate change on children towards Cop 27 in Egypt in Sharama El-Sheikh in preparation for Cop 27 and beyond. 

Makuwa said they thought of raising awareness to the general public on how children have been affected by climate change in the country. “We have seen in 2021 and 2022 rainy season how cyclone Ana and Idai affects children in the lower shire and also in some parts of the country. We thought of focusing our awareness to children by bringing them together in Lilongwe from 20 to 23 October where they will be deliberating on issues that affect them as children regarding to climate change,” said Makuwa. 

 He said all the rights of children stipulated in the convention of rights of children are affected through climate change hence doing awareness of this. “The main goal of this summit is first to mobilize, unify and amplify children’s voices in climate change decision-making processes; secondly to launch the five-year children’s generational Hope campaign on climate change which will provide a platform for children to consistently call for urgent actions on the climate crisis and inequality in order to create a safe, healthy and happy future for all children,”said Makuwa

One of the cyclist Mary Mofati said she is happy to take part in raising awareness of climate justice which affects  lots of children across the country. “ I believe that a lot of people will know how issues of climate change affects the children interms of their education, health and other sectors so that they can act on the issues raised,”said Moffat. 

Being the first ever climate summit for the children, the organizers are inviting the Head of State; His Excellency Dr. Lazarus Mac McCarthy Chakwera to officially open the Summit and launch the Generation Hope Campaign. at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe and other stakeholders. 

Rose Chipumphula Chalira