02 Dec 2019

The British deputy high commissioner, Ms Emily Summers, has applauded the Chevening Alumni Association of Botswana (CHAABO) for raising awareness about climate change among rural communities.

Speaking at a joint CHAABO and British High Commission seminar, Ms Summers said CHAABO  contributed to sustainable environmental action that recognised the significance of young people.

She said Botswana and British governments shared common ambition to ‘leave the environment in a better state than we found it’, while at the same time improving livelihoods of their citizens.

This ambition, she said, was under threat from the experienced environmental and climate emergencies.

“These will affect service delivery, especially plans towards sustainable economic development. An ailing economic structure will make it difficult for the system to avail new employment opportunities for young people,” she said.

She said CHAABO saw it fit to lead the conversation on how all could harness opportunities  presented by the emerging environmental risks, some of which were exacerbated by climate change.

Ms Summers further highlighted that this was a great step to build an important case for the creation of platforms that supported the involvement of young people in environmental action and promote youth participation in environmental decision making, adding that ‘through this engagement we will be able to develop new ideas of sustainability within the economy as well as providing alternative business streams to young people’.

For his part, youth policy specialist from the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development (MYSC), Mr Keabetswe Lesiela said as a custodian of the future in Botswana, MYSC had a big part in developing young person in Botswana.

“MYSC is faced with the challenge of helping youth with employment and through this initiative, we will be able to exchange ideas on how to carve a space for young people,” he said. Ends