Southern Africa Youth Forum (SAYoF) and its partners are inviting applicants to apply to become Southern Africa Climate Change Envoy.
Terms of Reference for the Southern Africa Climate Change Youth Envoy
Background
Following the hosting of the 4th SADC Youth Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa attended by young people from sixteen Southern African countries, government representatives, international organizations, civil society representatives, and academia among other stakeholders. The Forum which was focusing on the theme “SADC Youth Call for Climate Action: Promoting Peace and Good Governance for Sustainable Environment’’, through the 4th SADC Youth Forum Declaration Forum deliberated and recommended among other things the institutionalization of the Southern Africa Climate Change Youth Envoy. Realizing the agent need for young people in Southern Africa to take action, complement governments, and proffer solutions towards climate justice.
The call for the appointment of the Southern Africa Climate Change Youth Envoy is a vehicle to show young people’s commitment to protecting their environment, inclusion in climate discussion, negotiations, solutions, fighting climate change, and championing sustainable development issues.
Taking note that young people are not only the victims of climate change. They play a central role as valuable actors in climate action. Their innovativeness and entrepreneurship bring them key agents of change. There is a dire need for stakeholders to take note of the ideas, solutions, aspirations, and expertise young people bring to the decision table.
The institutionalization of the Southern Africa Climate Change Youth Envoy drives its aspirations from the Regional Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) of SADC, SADC Protocol on Environmental Management for Sustainable Development, Africa Youth Charter, UN Resolution 2250, Agenda 2030, and the Africa Union (AU) Agenda 2063, Aspiration six (6) that calls for people-driven agenda that is inspired by the inclusion and potential of women and youth.
Inspired by the need to empower, include, and create a conducive environment for young people, as noted in the Youth Development Model (YDM), youth are Stakeholders, Stockholders, Leaders for Transformation, and Change Makers, the Southern Africa Youth Forum (SAYoF) is leading in the operationalization of the 4th SADC Youth Forum outcomes working with various stakeholders.
The Mandate of the Southern Africa Climate Change Youth Envoy The mandate is categorized into three priority areas:
1. Representation and Inclusive Participation
The Youth Envoy will amplify youth voices in climate change and environmental sustainability in Southern Africa. Openly engage young people, youth organizations, and stakeholders in accelerating action to tackle the climate emergency. The Envoy will work with youth, governments, and stakeholders to bring to attention youth issues in the region,
organize youth events in line with climate change, commemorate days, and work with young people to evaluate national, regional, and international frameworks on climate change and ensure effective representation of young people.
2. Advocacy
The office of the Envoy will bring the voices of youth into the high-level decision-making, based on the principle to consult with youth in the region. She or He will work closely with young people, youth formations, youth councils, governments, and other organizations advocating for climate justice. The Envoy will support the implementation and monitoring of
various frameworks in the sub-region, Africa, and international levels.
3. Partnerships
The Southern Africa Climate Change Youth Envoy will work closely with national, regional, and international organizations to advance climate justice and environmental sustainability. The Youth Envoy will work with the following partners to advance effective youth participation and enhance political will but not limited to governments, civil society, international organizations, academic institutions, parliaments, regional organizations, traditional and religious institutions, youth organizations and groups, financial institutions, media among other.
The summarized mission of the Southern Africa Climate Change Youth Envoy
– Enhance the voices of Southern Africa Youth on climate change and environmental issues.
– She/He is the spokesperson for climate change and the environment in regional and international meetings and engagements.
– Complement the Member States in building awareness of existing frameworks on climate change
– Engage the SADC Member States in the implementation of regional and international instruments on climate and environment
– Work closely with young people in the region to advocate for a sustainable youth framework and inclusion in climate change guided by the outcomes of the SADC Youth Forum, and regional and international instruments.
– Work with other youth led-organizations to ensure youth inclusion in decision-making processes and promote Pan-African values as a strategy to mitigate climate change.
Term of office for the Southern Africa Climate Change Youth Envoy
The Envoy will have a two-year term. The selection process will be an open and transparent process that allows young people from Southern Africa to represent and the inclusion of key stakeholders that work on Climate Change and the Environment in the selection process.
Criteria for eligibility
- Youth between ages of 18 to 33
- Citizen of a SADC member state
- Resident in a SADC country and intention to remain resident in SADC for the duration of the term in office
- Relevant experience in climate change issues in communities, NGOs, private sector and/or government
Application Link: https://forms.gle/xTZg6FH1hTeXc6BL6
Deadline for nominations: 2 October 2022, 2359hrs SAST
