Our Team Leader Joins the Global Call for Climate Action During UN Secretary-General’s Climate Speech
At Comrades to Youths Africa, we believe that youth are not just leaders of tomorrow but active changemakers today. This belief was reinforced yesterday as our Team Leader, Pius Isabirye, joined fellow youth leaders in Uganda for a special live screening and reflection session plus a panel discussion on the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ global climate speech.
Organized by the the office of the UN Resident/Regional Coordinator in Uganda, the session brought together passionate youth activists, climate advocates, and changemakers from across the country. Pius represented CTY-Africa (As a member of Uganda Youth SDGs Coalition) in this important space, contributing to the ongoing conversation around climate justice, youth participation, and the need for immediate global action.
Powerful Messages That Align with Our Mission
The Secretary-General’s speech was a call to bold and urgent climate action. His message was clear: the world is still far off track in addressing climate change but there is time to change course if we act now. Some of the most compelling takeaways from the event include:
- A call for renewable energy: Fossil fuels are driving the crisis, and the cheapest path forward is renewables. This aligns with CTY-Africa’s focus on promoting clean energy awareness, especially through our Solar Educate Program under Sustainability Education.
- Africa’s untapped solar potential: The SG revealed that Africa holds more than 60% of the world’s solar potential, yet receives only 2% of solar investment. This underscores the urgency of our advocacy for increased investment in solar energy for schools and underserved communities.
- Youth anxiety and empowerment: The speech acknowledged the mental toll the climate crisis places on youth, but also celebrated our ability to lead. CTY-Africa has always centered Student Empowerment as a pillar of resilience and action.
- The need for a just transition: The call for justice, inclusion, and support for communities most affected by climate change strongly resonates with our grassroots, community-led model of engagement.
One quote that especially stood out during the session was: “My generation has failed. Yours can succeed.”
Why This Matters for CTY-Africa
This moment reaffirmed the importance of the work we do every day of empowering students, educating communities, and fostering climate-smart innovations. Our Bamboo Bike Expedition, Green School Clubs, and Play4Change programs all reflect the va
lues shared in the speech: urgency, inclusivity, and youth leadership.
We thank the United Nations in Uganda and the Uganda Youth SDGs Coalition for the opportunity to be part of this meaningful gathering. We are proud that our Team Leader could represent our mission and elevate the voices of the youth we serve.
Our Commitment Going Forward
Comrades to Youths Africa remains committed to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in climate action, education, and clean energy. We will continue:
- Raising awareness through school community engagements
- Building climate leadership among student youths
- Advocating for investment in renewable solutions
- Driving partnerships that support youth-led innovation
We may be a grassroots organization, but our impact and ambition are global.
To support our work or partner with us, get in touch at info@cty-africa.org or pius@cty-africa.org
Stay tuned for updates from the school garden, student voices, and impact stories as the project unfolds by following us on our social media platforms or subscribing to our community click here to join our community