2014 Inter-Parliamentary Hearing on Exemplary Forest Policies in Africa

1. 2014 Inter-Parliamentary Hearing on Exemplary Forest Policies in Africa Reflection from Youth Group Participants Caroline Kosilei [YVE Kenya] IssaIsihaka [ESAYCCA, Tanzania] Carol Mungo [YVE Kenya] Dorothy Tembo [CEPA, Malawi] Chris Ouma [KYF, Kenya]

2. Conservation [Forest/Environment] Human Security [Secure Future] “Certain desires seem universal – young men and women everywhere want to be SAFE, educated and respected”

3. Rationale Young People Number [Bulge] Energy [Skills] Strong policies & political goodwill Agriculture [attractive] Conservation Human Security

4. As young people, …but to grow with the trees [for a better future] ..not just to plant trees

5. What can we do as young people? • Identification and creation of database for youth environmental groups & networks etc. (work in process) for wider inputs on policies. • Information dissemination - act as communication link to other young people/community to disseminate information gathered especially exemplary policies within the region. • Program integration and Implementation - we commit to ‘translate’ the comprehensive policies in a more youth-friendly manner by tapping various talents [amongst young people] to further spread the information. • Advocacy and activism • Innovation and research - use innovation centers to encourage more young people to sustainably engage in forest management

6. How can we be accountable? • Mobilization and Organization • By keeping up the online discussion on forest policies #forestsforpeople, whereby we can keep the information/share what is happening within the region. • By reaching out to well known and respected media personalities that will continue to tap young people into integrated forest management issues & influence policies. • By identifying young environmental professionals/experts and create implementation models of these policies on the ground/community level.

7. What is our ASK to the delegates? • Intense and comprehensive trainings/capacity building among youths • Organize exchange programs for young people among countries with exemplary policies (i.e. Rwanda) • Create more opportunities for the youth in implementation of these policies, think of young people as a key stakeholder. • Let organized youth be custodians of these forest resources by acting as sustainability watch groups • Offer technical/financial/emotional support to young people in their initiatives.

8. What is our ASK to the delegates? • Creating policies that promote values [BCC] – ensure that conservation is integrated into community and national programs especially economic empowerment [placing emphasis on economic benefits of forests] • Making visions of our policies have vision to foster a generation of environmentally conscious citizens, capable of positive action. • Create policies to support education [e.g. on climate change] for sustainable development – this should include curriculum development • Policies to ensure inceptives to innovative ideas [generated by young people] in enhancing conservation

9. “Society is defined not by what it CREATES, but what it refuses to DESTROY”

10. Thank You