News

Yesterday, The Green Belt Movement, (GBM) celebrated Wangari Maathai Day, African Environment Day and World Wildlife Day with Nobel Women's Initiative, and Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies, CAVS joined UNEP for a day filled with youth dialogues for inspiration and ideas to act at the UNEP headquarters in Gigiri, Nairobi.

This year's theme for ‪#‎WangariMaathai day was "Youth healing the earth".

Guests included Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director and Under Secretary General of the United Nation; Prof Judy Wakhungu, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Water & Natural Resources, Wanjira Mathai, Chair, Green Belt Movement and Director of Programmes, Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environment Studies, Ambassador Dennis Awori, Chairman, Toyota Kenya and Stephen Njoroge from Makini School representing the youth.

During the event, the youth were engaged in dialogues on Food Security, Agriculture and Desertification with lead speakers namely Dr. James Nyoro (Special Advisor, Food Security and Climate Change- Kenya); Augusta Abate (FAO); Suzanna Owiyo (Soko Bila Waste). On Wildlife Conservation lead speakers were Kuki Gallmann & Yaya Toure (Video); Paula Kahumbu (Wildlife Direct); Paul Mbugua(KWS) and Laura Darby (GRASP)

In addition to the event ceremony; Wanjira Mathai, The GBM Board Members gathered around a tree planted in 2004 by the Late Prof. Wangari Maathai. "We need to promote development that does not destroy our environment. African women in general need to know that it’s OK for them to be the way they are – to see the way they are as strength, and to be liberated from fear and from silence.

As Stephen Njoroge, a young environmental activist turning 13 tomorrow told us 'so many of us continue to follow in her footsteps & take initiative...I have put my inspiration into action & call on you all to do so too' becoming a “humming birds”.

Photo Gallery on the event: