Building the capacity of youths to champion the green economy in Nigeria, generate employment, and reduce poverty and the impact of climate change in their communities.
In realizing that the world's population is about 3.2 billion people under the age of 35, of which 85 percent are living in our developing countries, we in CECD see youths as effective communicators in their communities' activities. They can enhance awareness, access to information and participation in a range of environmental, social and sustainable development issues, including climate change.
Climate change has become a reality globally, with deteriorating socio-economic and environmental impacts. More fierce weather events, floods, desert encroachments, disrupted season cycles; ecosystems, food supply and water supply seriously affected. Increased erosion, loss of beaches, mangroves, coastal wetlands — the turtle nesting sites, siltation and increased damage caused by more severe storms, droughts and other major environmental stressors make it necessary for us to call for this summit.
The main aim of this summit is to build the youths' capacity to champion the green economy in Nigeria and generate employment as well as reduce poverty and the impact of climate change in their communities. Young people are especially vulnerable to food shortage and the rising costs of food caused by energy and climate change, and are disproportionately affected by conflict caused by shortage of natural resources.
The three-day summit shall feature presentations, training and engagements on: Green human habitat and health; Agriculture, food security, forest and biodiversity conservation; Energy efficiency, industrialization, ICT waste management; Water resources, freshwater ecosystems and wetland management; and Coastal and maritime ecosystems management.