Youth take center stage at Pre COP 28 Summit

At the University of Malawi, students gain not just classroom knowledge but also derive benefits from engaging with diverse organizations that provide practical insights into their studies. This engagement provides students with a platform to apply their acquired knowledge and offer solutions to various issues in the country. On November 18, 2023, UNIMA hosted several Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) that shared knowledge and engaged in dialogue with UNIMA students, as well as students from various primary and secondary schools. The event, themed “Nurturing Hope in the Face of Climate Loss and Damage”, was coordinated by the National Youth Network on Climate Change (NYNCC) in partnership with various CSOs, and UNIMA’s Environmental Justice and Sustainability Clinic from the School of Law, Economics, and Government. The event was held in Chikowi, one of the magnificent lecture theatres on campus.

Acknowledging the event’s significance, the Guest of Honor, Professor Samson Sajidu, Vice Chancellor of the University of Malawi, commenced his remarks by welcoming the audience and expressing gratitude to the organizing team for choosing UNIMA to host the Southern Region Pre-COP 28 Joint Children, Youth, and CSOs Stimulation Summit. He began by addressing the impact of climate change in the country. Professor Sajidu urged students pursuing various programs to enhance their competencies in order to effectively address climate change issues.

The summit was interactive, as it featured dialogue and panel discussions among representatives from CSOs, youth, disability advocates, and academia. A captivating panel discussion, moderated by Rashiedah Winesi, a 4th-year Law student, delved into various topics focused on Malawi’s message to COP 28 regarding loss and damage, drawing insights from the 6th assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The discussion included questions about the long-term solutions that CSOs might offer for Malawi and the meaning of loss and damage in relation to the impact of Cyclone Freddy on people in various sectors. Throughout the panel discussion, participants emphasized the need for accessible climate financing, prioritization of persons with disabilities in relief interventions, increased funding to enhance their quality of life, more resources directed toward research and access to accurate information about climate change.

Highlighting the summit’s significance, Dominic Nyasulu, the Youth Coordinator from NYNCC, emphasized their commitment to amplifying the voices of youths and children on climate change issues. He further explained that the primary purpose of conducting these summits is to ensure the collection of diverse perspectives, for presentation at COP 28.

Mr Geoffrey Pascal, 4th year Law student and the President of the Environmental Justice and Sustainability Clinic, expressed gratitude to the CSOs for providing an opportunity to contribute to what will be presented at COP 28. He further stated that the event has fulfilled the goal of ensuring collaborative efforts in achieving environmental justice values. Pascal concluded by encouraging students from various programs to continue involving themselves in the clinic, emphasizing that the fight against climate change is not exclusive to law students but is relevant to everyone, regardless of their disciplines.

The event was accompanied by delightful activities. Students marched from the main library car park through Sangala hostel roundabout to Chikowi Lecture Theatres while singing various songs sensitizing people to stop harming nature. During the summit, a video was screened, featuring victims of Cyclone Freddy sharing their experiences. Students actively participated in a quiz and engaged in various dialogues with CSOs. Finally, the event concluded with a dance performance by a group of students known as UNIMA Dance for Change.