Youth Power and Commitment to Justice
From the Climate Justice Academy to the launch of the Climate Justice Declaration, and advocacy for climate financing at COP 29.
For a third year in a row, the Climate Justice Academy has empowered young voices to fight against climate change. With a focus on collective action, grassroots empowerment, and shared values, it has provided a platform for young climate activists to unite and drive meaningful change in the realm of climate justice.
This commitment to youth-led transformation has culminated in the Arusha Youth Climate Action Declaration – a bold, action-oriented demand for justice, equity, and systemic change.
Driven by the III Cohort of the Climate Justice Academy Fellows, this declaration amplifies the urgent call for climate action and ensures that young people, especially those most affected, are at the forefront of shaping a just and sustainable future.
The Arusha Youth Climate Action Declaration is not merely a statement; it is a call to dismantle the systems that fuel inequality and environmental destruction. It amplifies the voices of those most affected, demanding urgent action, feminist leadership, and resources for frontline communities.
From securing climate finance to ensuring women and indigenous groups lead decision-making, the declaration refuses to let business-as-usual dictate the future. The message is clear - climate justice is social justice, and young activists are here to reclaim power.
READ THE DECLARATION HERE
Climate Justice Academy Fellows Campaigning for Climate Financing at COP-29
The halls of COP-29 echoed the voices of climate justice activists, including our Climate Justice Academy Fellows, as they demanded action from world leaders. ActionAid, alongside partners APMDD, DCJ, and CAN, spearheaded a powerful demonstration showcasing the solidarity and resilience of communities impacted by climate change.
A powerful visual statement, a 10-meter-long "invoice" developed with support from ActionAid, itemised the immense costs borne by the Global South due to climate change. It demanded trillions in financing instead of the paltry billions currently offered, sending a clear message to world leaders: the time for empty promises is over.
A CJA Cohort III fellow, Silvia Kijangwa, among others, spoke passionately about the devastating impacts of climate change on her community.
Long walks for water as rivers and wells dry up, malnutrition from food insecurity, and destruction from floods – these are the realities we face," she declared. "Women and youth from vulnerable communities deserve justice. Rich countries must pay for these misfortunes. It's time for equitable climate finance and accountability.
The fellows' demonstration served as a stark reminder that climate justice is not just a negotiation; it is a matter of survival for millions.