IOM is facilitating a youth engagement forum in Nairobi to improve the knowledge and understanding of migration, environment and climate change nexus. The aim of the workshop is to plan, agree upon and coordinate the development and implementation of the Kampala Declaration beyond the East and Horn of Africa region, and bring together Youth from the African continent. Furthermore, this youth engagement forum would like to establish key messages that can contribute to the Global Youth Statement ahead of Africa Climate Summit being hosted in Kenya, the Africa Climate Week, the 18th edition of the Conference of Youth (COY), and the 28th edition of the Conference of Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Africa Continental Workshop on 16–17 August 2023, Nairobi, Kenya
Concept Note
You can find the Concept Note for this event below, in English, French and Arabic:
IOM’s objectives concerning migration, environment and climate change are:
- To prevent forced migration that results from environmental factors to the extent possible.
- To provide assistance and protection to affected populations when forced migration does occur in situations of environmental and climate change, and to seek durable solutions to their situation.
- To facilitate migration in the context of climate change adaptation and enhance the resilience of affected communities.
IOM works on addressing the challenges to youth welfare and unemployment and to ensure that migration can bring about positive results in both countries of origin and countries of destination. It also strives to provide opportunities for youth with the direct access to participate and contribute to policy development and implementation.
Objectives
A youth engagement forum will be facilitated in Nairobi, to improve knowledge and understanding of migration, environment and climate change nexus; to plan, agree upon and coordinate the development and implementation of the Kampala Declaration beyond the East and Horn of Africa region, and bring together Youth from the African continent. This forum will be an opportunity for the Youth from various regions, with either contrasting or similar realities to exchange and share their respective experiences and best practices. Furthermore, the purpose of this youth engagement forum is to establish key messages that can contribute to the Global Youth Statement ahead of ACS, ACW, COY18 and COP28.
- Improve knowledge and understanding of, and engagement in climate change induced migration, including risks such as human trafficking.
- Improve collaboration and cohesion among youth in the African continent.
- Increase visibility of the migration and climate change nexus in preparation for sub-regional youth engagements, ACS, ACW, COY18 and COP28 on different social media platforms, including through young advocates.
- Elaborate on expansion of the Kampala Declaration, as well as provide key messages on human mobility in the context of a changing climate in the African continent.
Call for Expression of Interest
Building from the above concept, IOM is seeking for young persons (18-35 years) from the African continent familiar with human mobility in the context of climate change as well as experience in climate action. Young people who are or are committed to raising the voices and the interests of climate migrants and disaster displaced persons, are invited to participate in the two-day workshop on 16–17 August 2023, Nairobi, Kenya. Moreover, the selected participants will contribute to increasing the visibility of the human mobility and climate change nexus, as we approach ACS, ACW, and the COY18 and the COP28.
This Expression of Interest does not guarantee that applicants will be selected for this event. Applicants will be selected based on their knowledge, experience and proven engagements previously undertaken on engaging with the topic of human mobility in the context of climate change and environmental degradation.
Selected participants are to arrive in Nairobi on 15 August and depart on 18 August 2023.
Participants need have the relevant travelling documents (such as passport valid for at least 6 months), as well as relevant documents (such as visa as needed, yellow fever and COVID-19 vaccination certificates).
Benefits
IOM will cater for the costs (air travel, accommodation, meals) of successful candidates only. Participants will need to be able to cover their visa costs, transportation to the airport in the location of departure as well as in Nairobi in advance. These costs will be compensated later against receipts.
Please respond to this Expression of Interest by sharing your CV and short reflections on the following questions:
- What is your experience in engaging with the topic of human mobility and climate change in the African continent?
- Please share an example of a successful contribution of yours to address challenges and opportunities of human mobility in the context of a changing climate that could be replicated across the regions.
- What message would you like to give the decision-makers in your country and the negotiators at COP 28 in relation to human mobility and climate change?
Expression of Interest
Please express your interest as soon as possible and no later than 9 July 2023. You can access the call for expression of interest below, in English and French:
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage
Application Deadline: 9 July 2023.
