Voices of Change
Combining ICT, art and culture to promote youth awareness and engagement on climate change in East Africa.
Young people play a dual role in today’s world: they stand to suffer most from climate change and mismanaged natural resources, yet they are also the most powerful agents of change for transforming how we relate to nature.
With 80% of the East African population under 35, designing interventions that account for this demographic reality has never been more urgent.
Art and Culture as Vehicles for Change
Many development and policy programs still ignore this irreversible demographic shift, relying on tools and methods that don’t match how young people think, live or communicate.
Art and culture have a proven track record of mobilizing, educating and raising awareness among younger generations. As mobile technology has become ubiquitous, new platforms and possibilities have opened up to reach wider and more targeted audiences.
Three Main Axes
Our project proposes to combine the use of ICT, art and culture to promote youth awareness and engagement on climate change at scale:
- Regional Music Competition in East Africa — Using a social platform specially developed for young people.
- The Creative Savanna Caravan — A mobile, solar-powered recording studio will travel through northern Kenya.
- Communication and Outreach — Organization of a series of concerts, exhibitions and media campaigns.
Intended Impact
The intended impact is twofold: first, building momentum among young people around these critical issues; second, bringing their voices into the conversation.
Partners
The project relies on the partnership of several organizations, including the Centre for Training and Research in the Arid and Semi-Arid Land (CETRAD) and the Wyss Academy for Nature.