At Kaimosi Friends University, students are stepping up to tackle climate change. Recently, they hosted a forum with Youth for Green Action Kenya (YGAK) to discuss practical solutions for sustainability.
This gathering wasn’t just talk; it was the beginning of an important collaboration. YGAK and the university plan to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to solidify their partnership focused on student-led environmental actions.
During the event, Dennis Asiya, Co-founder and CEO of YGAK, highlighted how crucial universities are for cultivating future leaders in climate action. “When students lead, sustainability shifts from theory to practice,” he explained. Asiya stressed that their discussions went beyond just ideas; they aimed to create projects that let students take hands-on action in their communities.
Areas for potential projects included campus initiatives, conservation efforts, sustainability education, and building youth capacity. Asiya emphasized the goal of empowering students to not only understand climate issues but also to actively create and implement solutions.
Currently, they are developing the MoU to detail their collaboration, including roles and responsibilities. The partnership aims to align with Kenya’s broader climate action goals, recognizing the vital role of youth and educational institutions in creating local solutions.
This collaboration has the potential to set a standard for other universities, promoting sustainability in student life, research, and community projects. Beyond the MoU, YGAK has been active in initiated various environmental restoration efforts. Asiya mentioned YGAK’s success in planting over 100,000 trees in 2023 alone, engaging more than 200 student volunteers from different universities. They have reclaimed 110 acres of deforested land in the Mau Forest Complex and continue to expand their initiatives annually.
Recent data supports this growing movement among youth leaders; surveys show that over 61% of young individuals prioritize climate issues as essential for their future. This trend aligns perfectly with initiatives like YGAK, empowering students to drive real change.
For the students at Kaimosi Friends University, this isn’t just about environmentalism; it’s about ownership of their future. They’re gearing up to lead the charge in tackling climate challenges, shaping a greener world for themselves and future generations.
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Kaimosi UniversityClimate Action, Planet Action, Campus-based Solutions
