Submitted by Otim Joseph, one of our inspiring Young Speakers at the Global Landscapes Forum’s youth session in Warsaw 2013.
Ahead of the youth activities at December’s Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) in Peru, which will focus on building young people’s skills and knowledge to effectively contribute to discussions and to become leaders, we caught up with Otim Joseph to find out how his career path has changed and to get his advice for upcoming young leaders and participants in the 2014 GLF. Register to attend the youth session here.
- Where were you with your career before the Global Landscapes Forum youth session in 2013? What’s changed the most for you in the last 12 months? What projects are you currently working on?
Before the GLF19, I was planting trees in my area, in Uganda. I was working with the youth and protecting women from being raped. After the GLF, I realised the global challenge in front of us: the issue of the youth not getting involved in forestry and agriculture. The GLF brought me awareness on the necessity to work more with the youth and get involved in this sector. I carried on working on management of natural forests and I planted more trees, but with the global issues of climate change in mind. Also, I have set up more outreach programs through radio and social media.
2. What was the most concrete benefit or opportunity you gained by participating in the Global Landscapes Forum youth session in 2013?
Networking – that’s what I gained the most through the GLF. With Catherine, from ICRAF, we developed an internship program for better sensitization of communities with role models. I became one myself. I got more motivated and inspired, and I encouraged people in turn.
Mentoring – the professional contacts I made, over time became mentor-mentee relationships. Be it with ICRAF staff, be it with other professors and doctors who came to talk to me after my speech at the GLF youth session, to get more information.
I strengthened my skills in social media and writing blog posts – these are very important to share information. I now do a lot of writing and I can inspire others this way.
3. What do you think has been one of the most important moments for youth engagement in climate change, land use or sustainable development and what should we learn from this?
Being given the opportunity to be heard, the chance to showcase what we – the youth – are concretely DOING; illustrating our words with facts; I think this has been most important in the process of youth’s engagement so far.
4. Do you have any advice for the youth leaders and participants in the upcoming youth session in Peru?
To all participants: never underestimate the power of the youth – in all what they do: projects, programs. You will have real and fast transformation by involving the youth.
To young participants: prove what you are saying by giving evidence! I wish you the best of luck!
This belongs to a blog series profiling youth leadership in landscapes. Tell us your youth story – submit blogs to landscapes.youth@gmail.com
