The Africa Regional Chapter of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, GYBN Africa, in partnership with the AWF, is organizing the 2nd African Youth Summit on Biodiversity, aimed at equipping young people in Africa with the necessary knowledge, skills, and confidence to actively participate in the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal GBF and to engage in policy advocacy for biodiversity conservation.
AYSB is an annual event that brings together young leaders, researchers, activists, and representatives from diverse sectors, including NGOs, government agencies, and the private sector. The summit’s primary aim is to deliberate on the present status of biodiversity in Africa and promote the engagement of African youth in national-level biodiversity conservation and the execution of decisions made by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Summit Theme: “From Awareness to Action: Empowering African Youth for Biodiversity Conservation”
The theme of AYSB 2023 is timely in light of the recently held COP15 and the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).
The theme emphasizes the need to move beyond simply raising awareness about biodiversity conservation to taking concrete and meaningful actions to protect and sustainably manage biodiversity in Africa. It recognizes that awareness alone is not enough, and that empowering African youth to take action is crucial for achieving positive conservation outcomes.
The theme also underscores the importance of youth empowerment in biodiversity conservation. African youth represent a significant demographic group with immense potential to make a difference in safeguarding biodiversity.
Objectives
The main objectives of the second African Youth Summit on Biodiversity are:
- To increase awareness about the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and emphasize the significance of youth involvement in its implementation.
- To inspire and urge young people to participate in national-level initiatives, including the revision of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP) and the creation of national reports.
- To provide a platform for youth from GYBN Africa chapters and other youth organizations to exchange their experiences, best practices, and innovative ideas in biodiversity conservation.
- To empower youth to engage in and formulate recommendations for the inter-sessional CBD meetings.
- To strengthen the network of young people dedicated to biodiversity conservation in Africa.
Expected Outcomes
The expected outcomes of the African Youth Summit on Biodiversity are:
- Increased understanding of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and its objectives.
- Strengthened network of young people committed to biodiversity conservation in Africa and participating in the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal GBF.
- Empowered Youth Leaders: The summit will empower young leaders with the knowledge, skills, and networks necessary to actively contribute to biodiversity conservation efforts in their respective communities and countries.
- Knowledge Exchange: The summit will facilitate the exchange of ideas, experiences, and best practices among youth participants, experts, and organizations. This knowledge-sharing will foster innovative solutions and inspire new approaches to address biodiversity conservation challenges.
- Action-oriented Initiatives: The summit will serve as a platform for participants to develop and action-oriented initiatives that directly contribute to biodiversity conservation in Africa.
- Establishment of new connections and collaborations among participants and/or organizations.
Target Audience
- The summit will bring together young people aged between 18-35 from across Africa who are interested in biodiversity conservation. Participants will include youth leaders, students, researchers, activists, and representatives from NGOs, government agencies, and the private sector.
Expected Number of Participants
- The anticipated number of participants is 100, who will be attending in-person. Among them, 54 participants will be funded, ensuring representation from at least one youth per African country. Additionally, there will be 46 self-funded participants. The remaining participants will join the event online.
Proposed Date and Duration
- The African Youth Summit on Biodiversity is expected to take place in a hybrid format from September 26 to 28, 2023. Participants are expected to travel to arrive on the 25th and depart on the 29th of September.
Language: English and French.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 35 at the time of the summit.
- Applicants should be citizens of any African country or residents actively engaged in biodiversity conservation efforts within Africa.
- Applicants should demonstrate a genuine interest in biodiversity conservation and a passion for environmental sustainability.
- Preference will be given to applicants who have prior experience or involvement in biodiversity-related projects, initiatives, or organizations.
- Applicants must articulate their motivation for attending the summit and how they intend to contribute to the discussions and outcomes.
- Applicants must be available for the summit days.
For more information, visit Global Youth Biodiversity Network – Africa .
