Youth ambassadors
The SAFCEI Youth Ambassadors are young people of faith with an understanding of the urgent need for climate action. They have passion and commitment and know they want to make a difference in their lives.
SAFCEI believes that youth must play a crucial role in enabling the faith communities of Southern Africa to both mitigate and build resilience to adapt to risks posed by climate change and other environmental challenges.
The SAFCEI Youth Ambassadors are drawn from faith communities all over South Africa. Chosen for a combination of service to their community, their interest in social and environmental justice and their faith commitment, the Youth Ambassadors undergo initial training that covers an introduction to the scientific background to climate change and other environmental issues and the faith-based responses to these concerns. SAFCEI then supports and mentors the Youth Ambassadors as they build climate change and eco-justice awareness and action responses in their faith communities.
With a specific focus on climate change in 2011, the SAFCEI Youth Ambassadors participated in various conferences and gatherings in the lead up to the COP17 climate talks in Durban at the end of 2011. During COP17, they were involved in youth events, promoted the SAFCEI climate change position, helped staff the SAFCEI stalls, sat in on the official UN negotiations and supported a variety of faith events.
SAFCEI’s Youth Ambassadors are using the skills and knowledge gained during 2011, to continue their outreach activities into 2012.
It is envisaged that the SAFCEI Eco-Congregation Programme will be strengthened by the infusion of a growing contingent of energetic and enthusiastic Youth Ambassadors. With them, we will strive to develop our congregations into centres of good, ethical and sustainable practice, building communities of earthkeepers amongst the wonderful variety of different faiths represented on our continent.
Click here to meet the youth ambassador team!
Nhlakanipho visits Utrecht Primary School to do a presentation on climate change
