One of the highlights of this year for me was the number of opportunities I had to engage with student and youth groups. To me, this is one of the most important things I can do with my time – helping the generation right behind me figure out their space and ways of creating meaningful change in their communities. The more lessons I can share from my own experience, the faster they are able to break down barriers and move forward.
Over the past three years, I was able to volunteer time toward lecturing Integrated Energy Systems at CMU Africa, each year engaging an amazing cohort of young, brilliant minds. Now, as my time has become scarcer, I am passing that baton, so I want to ensure I can find ways to continue to engage young people. This year has shown me how possible that is!
I had the chance to give multiple guest lectures this year – first in June to the Female Leaders of the Americas (FLOTA) – a group of dynamic youth-led initiative that convenes young women from across Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Diaspora, selected each year based on their accomplishments and merit. What a powerhouse group they were! During my guest lecture we spoke about culture, climate advocacy, and the challenges of being women of color in leadership, especially in the natural sciences. It was so encouraging to see their passion and I know each one of them is off to big things as women of the Americas!
Shortly after, I was invited to Cambridge University, in the United Kingdom, to give a talk for the Cambridge Institute of Sustainable Leadership. This is a world-renowned climate and sustainability program, so it was truly my honor to be back on the Cambridge campus and give this talk. Finally, in October I was invited to give a Master Class on Innovations in Renewable Energy Systems to UNICEF’s Innovation 30: Young Climate Innovators Shaping the Future – twenty four hand selected young innovators from across the globe scaling up local climate solutions. My Master Class was a true honor to give to such an esteemed cohort, and the conversation with the innovators was incredibly powerful.
Beyond these guest lectures, I also had a lot of opportunities this year to engage youth movements in a more deconstructed environment. At the COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, I was invited for the second year running to spend time with youth climate leaders at the Global Center for Climate Mobility Hub, and on the first ever Human Development Day at a Climate COP, I was invited to judge the youth oriented High Level Champions Debate: “Is investing in skills the climate commitment that counts?” an electric debate that truly moved the needle on skills and workforce development.
Finally, as the year drew to a close I was a Guest Speaker at the November TEDx Westlands Salon, which spotlighted Clean Energy Access, and there I spent hours chatting with students from universities across Nairobi. So powerful to hear their stories and find ways to connect them with resources to support their work and youth advocacy. Finally I was a judge for the inaugural Nairobi Climate Awards, a celebration of Kenya’s climate innovation and its dynamic climate community.
Each of these was a powerful reminder to me of the value in spending time with young folks. Next year is a huge one for Africa —the return of the Africa Climate Summit, South Africa’s assumption of leadership at the G20, and of course, the major moment of COP30 in Belem, already being dubbed the Indigenous People’s COP, so I will aim to do even more to support youth movements fighting for the cause of people, nature, and climate. Let us rest well this festive season friends, more to come next year!
All my best to you and yours for a happy, safe, and restful holiday season, and for a new year full of hope, promise, and peace.