Africa has the youngest population in the world and is also a continent that faces serious challenges in driving sustainable development and managing the forests for the future.
AfricanYouth4Forests is a SLU Global seed project with the purpose to engage Kenyan young people in sustainable forestry for livelihoods in Kenya. The project is a cooperation with the African Forest Forum (AFF) and the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI).
On November 7 – 9 young forest entrepreneurs and activists at the age between 18 and 25 met forest researchers at a workshop in Voi, Taita Taveta county in Kenya. Together they explored ways to increase the knowledge and stimulate youth engagement in forests. Ultimately the aim is to empower and inspire youth action for sustainable management of African forests and to support the forests’ role to combat, and adapt to, climate change.
They discussed with researchers and enganged in group sessions that involved opportunities for the young participants to both learn and share their visions for sustainable forest use. The session also included a field visit to the Ngangao forest in Taita hills with endemic bird- and plant species.
Photos: Felix Odhiambo/AFF, SLU
AFF: Godwin Kowero, Doris Mutta, Daphine Gitonga
KEFRI: Chemuku Wekesa
County of Taita Taveta: Eva Kiseu
SLU: Anders Roos
News feature from November 12th in Kenyan news channel: https://youtu.be/ecDBbBD7aCU
Read more about the project (AFF)
Read more and follow the project in social media under the hashtag: #AfricanYouth4Forests
Anders Roos
Professor at the Department of Forest Economics
Telephone: +4618671564, +46739840705
E-mail: anders.roos@slu.se
SLU Global supports SLU's work for global development to contribute to Agenda 2030.
SLU Global
Vice-Chancellor's Office
Agricultural Sciences for Global Development
PO Box 7005, SE-750 07 Uppsala
Visiting address: Almas Allé 7
global@slu.se www.slu.se/slu-global
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