As
part of festivities in marking International Youth Day, officials of Climate
Watch-The Gambia on Saturday held a forum with young people on the theme: ‘Engaging Youths in Addressing Climate
Change’, at the American Corner in Bundung.
The
organization also officially launched its weekly radio show, called ‘The
Limelight’ on Star FM, 96.6 FM.
In
his keynote address, the Executive Director of Climate Watch-The Gambia, Saikou
Suwareh Jabai, said International Youth Day is an awareness day designed by the
United Nations to draw attention to a given set of issues surrounding youths.
He
said youths are powerful agents of positive change and, therefore, essential in
taking forward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
On
the occasion of Youth Day, Jabai said it is fundamental to increase their
environmental awareness in order to empower them to transform their respective
societies towards a low-carbon and climate-resilient future in The Gambia.
He
said since its inception in 2014, Climate Watch-The Gambia had been
coordinating efforts to empower youths to take adaptation and mitigation
actions, and enhance their effective participation in climate change and
environmental issues in the country.
‘‘With
a membership of hundreds of young people across The Gambia, Climate Watch - The
Gambia engages in research, and promotes knowledge and awareness among youths
and students on issues regarding climate change, environment, fisheries and
agriculture,’’ said Saikou Suwareh Jabai.
He
commended the management of Star FM for their unwavering collaboration in
implementing ‘The Limelight’ radio show.
The
programme manager of Climate Watch-The Gambia, Omar Malmo Sambou, said human
activities, such as the use of fossil fuels, deforestation and unsustainable
agriculture contribute to climate change, which decreases the availability of
nutritious food and clean water, and destroys ecosystems and living
environments.
He
added that this renders youths particularly vulnerable.
In
expanding their advocacy networks, Sambou said Climate Watch launched a weekly
radio show called ‘The Limelight’ on Star FM, with a view to creating a
platform for young people to discuss issues on climate change, environment,
fisheries, agriculture and other developmental issues.
He
said the programme, which is aired on Saturdays from 4pm to 5pm, seeks to
produce significant interviews and documentaries so as to promote knowledge and
awareness among the listeners.
Other
speakers at the forum included Musa A. Jallow, the information and communications
officer, who spoke at length about the importance of advocacy and education.
