4 November 2011
Connect4Climate, a global initiative supported by the World Bank, is mobilising African youth to raise climate change awareness through an online photo/video competition – the winners of which be on show at the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference in Durban.
The World Bank, in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Environment and more than 30 other global partners, launched the Connect4Climate initiative in September with a photo/video competition for African youngster aged 13 to 30.
The competition seeks to tap the rich potential of Africa’s youth “not only to articulate the challenges of climate change seen from their perspective, but also to use their enormous potential as agents of social change to raise awareness and mobilise for climate adaptation and mitigation within Africa,” Obiageli Ezekwesili, World Bank vice-president for Africa, said during the launch.
Through photos and videos of 60 seconds or less, those entering the Connect4Climate competition are encouraged to answer the question: What does climate change mean to you, your family, your community, your country?
Participants in the competition are invited to share their personal stories and solutions for change in six Connect4Climate award categories, namely agriculture, energy, forests, gender, health and water.
The deadline for submissions is 15 November, and the winners will be announced during the 17th Conferences of the Parties (COP 17) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, taking place in Durban from 28 November to 9 December.
Prizes will include solar backpacks, video cameras, and computer tablets. The best entries will be featured in an exhibition at the conference.
To enter the competition, go to www.connect4climate.org or www.facebook.com/connect4climate.
SAinfo reporter
