Launching of Youth Climate Education & Fellowship Program and Capacity Building Workshop on Youth Participation in Climate Governance
Launching of Youth Climate Education & Fellowship Program and Capacity Building Workshop on Youth Participation in Climate Governance
Day & Date: Thursday, May 30, 2024
Venue: The Shaikh Ayaz University, Shikarpur
Transparency International Pakistan, in collaboration with Shaikh Ayaz University Shikarpur, launched the Youth Climate Education & Fellowship Program and conducted a Capacity Building Workshop on Youth Participation in Climate Governance.
The event was attended by 55 students (35 males and 20 females) from various departments of Shaikh Ayaz University Shikarpur. The main objective of the fellowship is to enhance students’ understanding of climate governance, transparency, leadership development, and participation in climate discourse.
The event commenced with a recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by the launching ceremony at Shaikh Ayaz University Shikarpur, where a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Transparency International Pakistan and Shaikh Ayaz University.
Dr. Saqib Mehar, Registrar at Shaikh Ayaz University, welcomed all participants and expressed gratitude to TI Pakistan for initiating the Youth Climate Fellowship. He emphasized the urgent need to create a platform at the university, especially in the vulnerable area of Shikarpur and its surroundings, to develop future youth experts in climate change and social accountability.
Ms. Nasreen Memon, Project Coordinator introduced TI Pakistan’s Climate Governance Programme and thanked the university for their collaboration on the Youth Climate Education & Fellowship program. She explained the objectives of the Youth Climate Fellowship, emphasizing its importance for youth engagement. She noted the value of the youth perspective for their fresh ideas and sense of urgency. The fellowship focuses on building youth capacity and equipping them with skills to lead and promote accountability in climate initiatives. It will foster leadership development by providing opportunities to connect with experts and activists in the field of climate change.
Ms. Memon detailed that the fellowship will run for 7 months, from June to December 2024. TI Pakistan and Shaikh Ayaz University Shikarpur will organize interactive sessions with climate experts and policymakers. Interested youth passionate about Climate Change and Climate Governance topics will be selected for the fellowship. Fellows will engage in debates, poster competitions, and essays to promote transparent climate action. They will also conduct community outreach to raise climate awareness, collaborating with local civil society networks to share knowledge.
Mr. Kashif Ali, Executive Director of Transparency International Pakistan , conducted a session on Empowering Young People: Youth-Led Climate Action and the Sindh Climate Change Policy. He explained Sindh Climate Change Policy 2022 outlines its various sections. He highlighted that the policy aims to create a sustainable development framework for Sindh that integrates climate change considerations into various sectors like agriculture, water resources, and forestry. The policy addresses both adapting to the effects of climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate future impacts. It aligns with Pakistan’s National Climate Change Policy 2022 and updated Nationally Determined Contributions, ensuring Sindh contributes to Pakistan’s international commitments on climate change.
He emphasized on the importance of active youth participation in planning, decision-making, and implementing initiatives to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Such initiatives prepare young people to address current environmental challenges faced by Pakistan. Mr. Kashif emphasized the importance of government practices that encourage youth participation, such as establishing youth councils, advisory boards, and participation in international climate conferences. These platforms enable young people to influence decision-making, advocate through lobbying and peaceful protests, and hold leaders accountable.
Additionally, Mr. Kashif also shared community-led climate action initiatives driven by young people such as establishment of girls’ schools in Balochistan, conducting climate change awareness sessions in Chitral, and supporting movements like “Fridays for Future.” He also discussed an international case study on community-based adaptation in Bangladesh’s vulnerable coastal areas, highlighting innovations like mini ponds for rice fields to address cyclone-related irrigation challenges.
Next, Dr. Muhammad Ali Brohi, Assistant Professor and Director of the Career Development Centre, outlined the process of group formation and the development of youth climate action plans. He explained that interested youth can apply through form which will be available on the university’s website. He shared that 30-35 students will be selected for fellowship. These selected individuals are required to engage fully in the Climate Youth Fellowship’s activities, which will include actively participating in all fellowship events, acting as climate ambassadors in their communities, organizing sessions on climate change and governance, and facilitating mentorship and networking opportunities.
Towards the end, Prof. Dr. Mehmood Ul Hassan, Vice Chancellor of Shaikh Ayaz University Shikarpur, concluded the event. He expressed gratitude for TI Pakistan’s youth initiative and stressed the pivotal role of youth in combating climate change. He emphasized that involving youth in climate change and governance is beneficial for ensuring sustainable development and effectively addressing the challenges posed by climate change. Their leadership, innovation, and commitment are vital assets in tackling global environmental challenges and promoting a resilient society.
At the end of the session, shields from TI-Pakistan were presented to the university management, and certificates were distributed among the participants.
