[ECO]Inclusive Dialogues of Young Schoolchildren on Environmental Protection in DR Congo

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Inclusive Dialogues of young schoolchildren on environmental protection in DR Congo: An approach of the Green Congo Initiative organization for the ****** against climate change

Green Congo Initiative is an organization committed to environmental protection and sustainable development in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Its actions focus on several key areas: climate change, energy transition, sustainable agriculture, the supply of drinking water, and promoting hygiene and sanitation. 

Green Congo Initiative has set among its missions the training of young generations in environmental protection and climate change to protect our environment and safeguard our planet Earth. Within this framework, from 2023 to the beginning of 2024, the ********* Union, through the organization International Louvain Cooperation, supported the first phase of the Green Congo Initiative’s activities on the ground, consistent with raising awareness among young schoolchildren about protection. Environment and the creation of climate clubs within secondary institutions for the sustainability of environmental citizenship. This was achieved through Inclusive Youth Dialogues within secondary and university institutions.

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Awareness raising on the climate problem at Lycée Amani in Goma. Image: Jospin Issa Ludunge

The mobilization of youth is essential to create collective consciousness and promote lasting change. 

These dialogues aim to provide an interactive platform, allowing students to understand environmental challenges and stimulate their critical thinking about possible solutions. The program aims to transform awareness into concrete action by encouraging active engagement, promoting behavioural changes and adopting environmentally friendly practices.

Additionally, the organization of these dialogues aspires to cultivate a sense of responsibility among young people towards the environment, inspiring them to become agents of change within their community. By integrating the theme of youth engagement for climate action, the initiative aims to inspire concrete and sustainable projects, demonstrating the transformative power of young people in the ****** against climate change.

Inclusive dialogues involve training and awareness sessions, seeking to deepen students’ understanding of climate issues. Encouraging results are emerging, illustrated by positive changes in behavior among participants, such as the adoption of environmentally friendly practices and students’ enthusiasm for their participation in climate actions via the creation of CLIMATE CLUBS within the schools. In addition, groups of students engage in concrete climate-related projects, demonstrating a ******* for concrete action.

Ideally, the program’s overall impact will manifest itself in increased awareness of climate change within the local community, highlighting the positive influence young participants have on those around them.

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Awareness raising on the climate problem at KAMI secondary school in Goma. Image: Jospin Issa Ludunge

The objectives of these inclusive youth dialogues are varied, ranging from initial awareness raising to creating a culture of engagement and climate action among youth in the city of Goma in particular and in DR Congo in general, we have among other things:

• Awareness raising: Inform young people about the realities of climate change, with an emphasis on local impacts in Goma. This includes understanding the causes, consequences and possible solutions.
• Education: Provide solid foundational education on climate issues to arm young people with in-depth knowledge and skills needed to understand and address environmental challenges.
• Sustainability of Initiatives: Encourage the sustainability of actions undertaken by young people by developing strategies to ensure the continuity of projects and long-term commitments. Within each school, create a CLIMATE CLUB led by a committee of five students.
• Mobilization: Encourage the active participation of young people by creating a space where they can share their opinions, ideas and concerns on climate change. Stimulate a sense of urgency and action.
• Active Engagement: Inspire young people to engage in concrete initiatives related to climate action actively. This may include sustainability projects, awareness campaigns, or other positive actions.
• Behaviour Change: Promote sustainable behavioural changes among young people, encouraging them to adopt environmentally friendly lifestyles daily.
• Environmental Leadership: Cultivate environmental leaders among young people, motivating them to take initiative and positively influence their community for climate action.
• Networking: Facilitate the creation of networks between committed young people, promoting collaboration and implementing collective climate projects.
• Inspiration: Show examples of local and international success stories in climate action to spark inspiration and motivation among young people.

This first phase of inclusive dialogues with young people, which proved very productive, resulted in: 

Result 1: 5 sessions of inclusive youth dialogues on climate change organized in four schools and one university, i.e. one session per institution (Lycée Amani, C.S. KAMI HSS, Mikeno Institute, Mavuno Institute and Great Lakes High Technologies University), with the participation of 271 pupils/students participated in the dialogue, including 141 ****** and 130 boys.

Result 2: 5 climate clubs were created following inclusive youth dialogues on climate change, with club management committees at schools and universities. Each committee has five members chosen by vote organized by the school authorities, these are a president, a secretary and three advisors; the creation of climate clubs were sanctioned by minutes of club formation, where we have the names and signatures of the members of the student committees who manage the club.

Result 3: 10 monitoring missions and five evaluation missions were carried out for all project activities.

Result 4: A closing workshop was organized with the participation of representatives of beneficiary institutions: C.S. KAMI-HSS, the Mavuno Institute, the Mikeno Institute and UHTGL University, as well as representatives of climate clubs trained in each establishment, total participants. To talk about future prospects and the sustainability of these activities within their institutions.

The results showed a strong commitment to climate change education, fruitful exchanges on lessons learned and recommendations for extending these actions to other schools and strengthening climate inclusion in educational programs.

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Question session with students. Image: Jospin Issa Ludunge

Green Congo Initiative, therefore, thanks the ********* Union and Louvain Cooperation organisations for their financial and technical support, making it possible to carry out these activities on the ground.

Recent inclusive youth-led dialogues on environmental issues and climate change have revealed palpable enthusiasm for protecting our planet. The students, aware and motivated, expressed innovative ideas and promising solutions to face environmental challenges. 

However, an important observation emerged: although awareness is present, it is crucial to support these young people so that they can translate their learning into concrete actions on the ground.

The discussions showed that students need support to put the acquired knowledge into practice and implement the environmental projects they are considering. It is essential to provide them with the necessary resources, whether it is additional training, adequate equipment, or mentoring. Without this support, initiatives risk remaining at the theoretical stage without any more remarkable impact on the ground.

To meet this need, Green Congo Initiative (*****@*****.tld ) is currently looking for potential partners who could help strengthen and sustain these activities. We are looking for organizations, institutions, and companies that share our commitment to environmental protection and are ready to support concrete programs for younger generations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These partnerships are crucial to ensure that the knowledge and skills acquired do not dissipate but are transformed into tangible actions that will contribute to preserving our environment.

Together, we can ensure that young people’s enthusiasm translates into sustainable and impactful projects. By adequately supporting them, we will strengthen their capacity to be key actors of change and build a greener and more sustainable future for the DRC.

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