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In the world today, the highest population includes children and young people. The majority of them are in learning institutions, from preparatory schools through to universities, while a good number are working in industries. They are in positions of policy-making, among other influential positions. In all of this, the underlying denominator is that the youth are the learning population, in the process of forming the value systems which will carry them through adulthood to old age. This they do through what they see, hear and read in schools, from families, in the streets, in social gatherings and greatly from the media.
I carried out a sampling among some youth from Nairobi, Kiambu and Thika who were gathered for a function. My question was whether they had ever heard about environmental issues. 100% of the 40 respondents’ answer was yes, and all of them in not less than a year. On the question of how they came to be aware of them, the scores ranged from 99.8% through the media, 25% in school, 16% from friends, 8% in their church community and 0% in the family. This shows that the media is at the center in the process of the formation of values oriented towards environmental conservation.
The surprising thing is that about 90% thought that the environment was not relevant and was not a priority among the youth. From my own reflection, I got the impression that climate change and environmental threats are seen as the jargon of scientists and they have not sunk into the minds of the majority of young people as our problem. Therefore, for any positive action to be made towards environmental conservation, young people must learn to identify degradation as a problem affecting them and to believe that they can do something to impact environmental sustainability. They have the potential, ability and influence needed to create change. Initiatives have to be made to create awareness among young people through education curricula, media, faith-based youth groups and other organized youth groups, homes and families, participatory studies, and projects. This will help change prevalent attitudes, modify their value systems, and make them show commitment and take initiatives towards environment sustainability.
It is clear that young people’s involvement in the present trends of development will ensure a sustainable future for themselves and for future generations. They will expose environmental polluting activities in the informal sector and unmonitored waste disposal activities in the industries where they are working, they will shun the consumerist trends in their institutions and families anddge traditional systems of farming with modern ones. They will also campaign against the overexploitation of resources and defend water resources, study clean methods of production, recycle reusable materials, embark on reforestation and adapt relevant technology.
A number of organizations have realized the influence that youth have in society and have initiated projects run by, with and for the youth towards environmental sustenance. These organizations cannot achieve long-lasting results without support through set policies, networking with older members of society, and youth leadership in capacity building and in awakening the entire community’s conscience. As we are involved as TIG members, I challenge each of us to be a part of the above initiatives in whatever we are doing. On the 10th of March, 2007, here in Kenya, we will be having a full-day forum on Youth, Environment and Technology. I am grateful of this step that we are taking as we look forward to creating more awareness for the sustenance of our lovely Mother Earth.
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Dennis Nyakundi Onguti
I am the sixth of eight children of a polygamous family. After graduating from high school, I was asked to help in a local girls secondary school teaching mathematics after the death of the teacher. This time was exciting and it was then that I had an opportunity to see my own potential and those of the young people. I realised encouragement and the availability of resources can unleash the inner strength of the young to do great things and I promised to dedicate myself to the service of the young. In 1999, I entered into a religious missionary congregation of the Consolata with the intention of becoming a priest so I can reach young people all over the world.
I finished my first degree in philosophy in 2003 with a diploma in religious studies. I took a one year break to one of the provinces for one year helping the young people to develop micro-scale business. It was really a beautiful experience!
I am currently pursuing a degree in Religious studies and a diploma in Youth Ministry.
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