2021 Schedule

Climate Justice through spoken word by Justine Kakoko. Justine is a poet, author, educator, artist and social activist based in Tanzania. He uses his voice to teach, motivate and inspire the world.

Communities in Africa depend on nature being in balance for their livelihood, except, this is no longer the case because of climate change. Research, science and our lived experience confirm this and we get it, we need to adapt and be resilient. But what does this actually mean for us? How is Africa positioning itself and preparing its population for this future? Is our collective action effectively answering our most urgent challenges on climate? What is the current status from a climate justice lens? These are some of the questions this session will explore.

Storytelling shifts culture and culture brings change. Storytelling has the power to change hearts and minds, it has the power to change structures, behaviour, to build communities and to humanize complex theories to drive action. How then, as storytellers do we rise to the challenge of radical partnerships that address the most urgent climate issues on our continent? How can storytelling help us catalyse the changes we want to see?

THANK YOU FOR THE RAIN is a collaborative film made by Kisilu Musya, a Kenyan farmer and Julia Dahr, a Norwegian filmmaker. In the course of five years, Kisilu transforms from a farmer struggling with the effects of climate change to a community leader and a climate change activist on the global stage, capturing the real human costs of the climate crisis. This film has been used as an impact and advocacy tool to drive social change globally.

When the harvest season fails because of insufficient rain, the human cost for our communities living at the edge of climate is amplified. For Africa, adaptation and resilience are urgent. Our people cannot afford to wait, they need climate solutions that speak to our immediate present and future. This lived experience plays an important part in finding solutions that speak to our unique regions and way of life across Africa. It forms the crux of our next economic and social transformation, but we are not giving it enough airtime. What's the reality on the ground with our communities? We need to be involved at all levels of discussions about ourselves. (Session curated in partnership with Christian Aid Kenya)

In the forested depths of eastern Congo lies Virunga National Park, one of the most bio-diverse places on Earth and home to the planet’s last remaining mountain gorillas. In this wild, but enchanted environment, a small and embattled team of park rangers - including an ex-child soldier turned ranger, a caretaker of orphan gorillas and a dedicated conservationist - protect this UNESCO world heritage site from armed militia, poachers and the dark forces struggling to control Congo's rich natural resources.

John is about the future. He converts water into watts. He is under thirty years old and runs Magiro mini hydro power plant using 'run of the river technology' to supply electricity to his village, 100% off the main grid. They produce so much electricity, they even have waste energy! All John and his team need is a river nearby. A dream that started when he was 9 years old, John is future ready. But is this continent ready for this kind of bold, innovative get down to business youthful population?

Africa needs massive amounts of energy for economic transformation that gives its people a prosperous and decent quality of life. Our CO2 emissions globally have been minimal but, can the continent meet its development ambitions with green renewable energy alone? The population in the continent is projected to triple to 3 billion by 2060, Can Africa transition in the same way and equitably as the rest of the world toward a green economy? What does the average person in Africa need to know right now to position themselves for this inevitable energy revolution? Who has a plan? These are some of the questions that this panel will interrogate and dive into. (Panel curated in partnership with SID - Society for International Development & Heinrich Böll Stiftung Foundation East and Horn of Africa)

Contribution by all in attendance.

The artists present a simplified interpretation of the panel discussion (Why is Green Energy a big deal for Africa?) through artwork. Does the translation work? When we collaborate with artists, we communicate powerfully and simply. The verdict is yours and you can respond through a live poll.

What are the recommendations gathered on this day?

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