GCA CEO Launches ‘Youth Academy on Climate Adaptation and Leadership’ at the University of Nairobi
N
airobi, Kenya – On 18th September 2024, the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) launched the ‘Youth Academy on Climate Adaptation and Leadership’ today 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 discuss the importance of empowering young people and the most vulnerable communities to lead adaptation actions in Africa.
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.
To deliver climate adaptation education at scale, GCA has also developed the ‘Toolkit for Youth on Climate Adaptation and Leadership,’ in partnership with 40 youth organizations from across Africa. This eight-module toolkit is designed to equip young people with the knowledge and skills to engage in climate adaptation policy, advocacy, and action. It is available online in French, English, and Arabic.
This work is strategically aligned with the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP), a joint initiative by GCA and the African Development Bank (AfDB) mobilizing $25 billion to scale up climate adaptation across the continent by 2025. The Academy serves as a critical component of the AAAP’s mission to empower Africa’s youth, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to drive climate adaptation efforts locally and globally. By fostering leadership and providing access to essential resources, the program amplifies the AAAP’s goal of building a resilient future through youth-led adaptation initiatives across Africa.
Notes to Editors
Media Invitation
Follow updates and join the conversation using the hashtag #Youth4Adaptation and by following GCA’s social media accounts on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Flickr.
About the Global Center on Adaptation
The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organization that promotes adaptation to the impacts of climate change. It works to climate-proof development by instigating policy reforms and influencing investments made by international financial institutions and the private sector. The goal is to bring climate adaptation to the forefront of the global fight against climate change and ensure that it remains prominent.
Founded in 2018, GCA embodies innovation in its approach to climate adaptation as well as in its physical presence. It operates from the largest floating office in the world, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. GCA has a worldwide network of regional offices in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; Dhaka, Bangladesh; and Beijing, China. The Center will open a new office in Nairobi, Kenya in 2025.
About the Toolkit for Youth on Adaptation and Leadership
The Toolkit for Youth on Adaptation & Leadership is a project under the Global Center on Adaptation Youth Leadership Program, developed by the CARE Climate Justice Center with the financial support of Norad.
Contact Information
For further details, please contact the Youth Leadership and Education team at youth@gca.org.
