Echoes from Rio: Taking Development to the Next Level

Zero Carbon Africa represents Nigeria in Rio +20

By Adenike Ashogbon

In a bid to ensure sustainable development through grass roots solutions championed by young people across Africa, and combating Climate Change through innovative projects and continental day of action, Zero Carbon Africa (ZCA) is implementing a project in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) to increase the quality of youth participation at the Earth Summit tagged "Echoes from Rio”, an online radio programme, blogging and video reporting of activities happening at the conference.The initiative, which is solely to increase the quality of youth participation at the Earth Summit, is a coalition of youth-led and youth-focused organisation comprising of Youth Vision Alliance Network (YVAN), HACEY's Health Initiative, HEDA Resource Centre and Centre for 21st Century Issues  presently representing Nigeria at the conference in Brazil.

Members of Zero Carbon Africa (ZCA) and other participants at the  Conference in Rio, Brazil

Speaking on behalf of the Team, the Executive Director of YVAN, Mr. Zaid Shopeju, noted that, in terms of sustainable development and climate change issues; the Nigeria government joined in the unified African position to tackle the challenges and are negotiating on human and technological abilities that will make us benefit from the underlining opportunities embedded in this situation.

In line with this, Shopeju went further to say that though the country is present at negotiations; they have not been as active as other countries in the negotiations as regards to youth representation and participation in the process. There has also been a lack of participation of the African youths in meetings held by major groups in the conference. We have also gotten reports of difference in priority of issues in negotiations between the African regions, developing and developed nations.

One of the major issues that held negotiations were centred on transfer of technology from developed nations to G77 countries, and the Means of Implementation in the zero draft outcome document. As the negotiations have come to a close, African countries have shown that though they did not get all they brought to the table, they are satisfied with the outcome.

The project got various interviews from youths from around the world on their perception of sustainable development and what they expect from the process. They also gave their aspirations for youths in the coming green economy, some of which included increased youth participation in the drafting and implementation of the “future we want”. It is important that young people who will bear the brunt of most of the decisions made at the summit must make their vote head thus their involvement. African youths are disadvantaged as they can't participate due to lack of funding support, hence, ZCA intervention through reporting of the progress of the negotiations via commentaries, interviews of delegates, blogs, photos and more bring this information to them.

These broadcast will be rebroadcasted by NOUN Radio, Metro FM among others local stations and newspapers. This would help break the barrier that exists between people and access to qualitative information which are also vital for their development. It is proposed that over 2 million young people across Africa will receive up-to-date information about the summit and know how they will be impacted by the decisions made at the conference.

Representatives that make up the team include; Executive Director, Youth Vision Alliance Network (YVAN), Zaid Shopeju, Administrative Director HACEY Health Initiative, Robinson Rhoda, Project Director, HACEY Health Initiative, Isaiah Owolabi, Center for 21st Century Issues, Titi Kazeem, Project Manager YVAN, Abiodun Odunuga, and HEDA Resource Centre, Adeola Atinuke.

The ZCA is an alliance of youth-led and focused organisations and young individuals working to build grass roots movement across Africa to combat the effect of climate change and environmental degradations through innovative projects and Continental Day of Actions to mobilise Africa for sustainable development.