GCA CEO Launches ‘Youth Academy on Climate Adaptation and Leadership’ at the University of Nairobi
On 18th September 2024, the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) launched the ‘Youth Academy on Climate Adaptation and Leadership’ at the University of Nairobi during the “Dialogue on Accelerating Adaptation Education in a Climate Emergency.” The dialogue convened over 500 global leaders, development partners, academics, and student representatives to explore collaborative strategies for delivering climate adaptation education and discussed the importance of empowering young people and the most vulnerable communities to lead adaptation actions in Africa.
The Youth Academy on Climate Adaptation was developed in collaboration with the University of Nairobi and the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. This pioneering program is designed to equip young people with knowledge and skills in climate adaptation and leadership, utilizing GCA’s ‘Toolkit for Youth on Climate Adaptation and Leadership.’ The goal is for this program to become a replicable model across Africa, addressing the urgent need for climate education on the continent.
As part of the Academy’s broader mission to make climate adaptation education accessible, an Online Open Course on Climate Adaptation and Leadership was also announced during the dialogue. Hosted by the University of Nairobi, this course will be available to anyone interested in building their knowledge and leadership skills in climate adaptation.
Professor Patrick V. Verkooijen, CEO of GCA and Chancellor of the University of Nairobi commenting on the announcement said: “Today marks a transformative moment in our journey towards a climate-resilient future. The Youth Academy on Climate Adaptation and Leadership is more than just a program—it’s a movement. By empowering young leaders with the knowledge and tools they need, we are investing in the future of Africa and the world. Our goal is clear: to ensure that every young person, no matter where they are, has the capacity to drive adaptation and resilience in their communities. This Academy is a blueprint for change, and I am proud to see it take root here in Nairobi.”
Key participants during the event included GCA CEO and Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, Professor Patrick V. Verkooijen, H.E. Ban Ki-moon (via virtual participation), Professor Jouke de Vries, President of the University of Groningen, and young leaders, including the Kenyan winners of the YouthADAPT Challenge.
Professor Jouke de Vries, President of the Board of the University of Groningen, commenting on the announcement said: “Co-creation, in this case the co-designing of an ambitious train the trainer program is a perfect example of how research universities such as the University of Nairobi and the University of Groningen, together with the Global Center on Adaptation, can assume their role in creating local and global impact.”
Youth Academy on Climate Adaptation and Leadership
Following the event, the inaugural Youth Academy on Climate Adaptation and Leadership took place from 19th to 26th September 2024 at the University of Nairobi. This week-long program brought together fifty participants, including university students, government officials, and representatives from Kenyan youth organizations.
The academy’s curriculum combined in-person and virtual training, focusing on climate adaptation and effective teaching methodologies. Participants engaged in a comprehensive program designed to develop and refine a training model for Youth Leadership and Climate Adaptation that is tailored to the Kenyan context and adaptable across Africa.
