A Call for Action on the Issue of Climate Justice: Strengthening the Leadership Voices of Rural Girls and Women from Marginalized Communities, most notably from the developing world
We are greatly honored to extend this invitation to a commemoration of Wangari Maathai’s legacy. Let us gather together to participate in an interactive panel, in which our distinguished guest speakers, after listening and responding to panelist testimonials, will engage in a group interaction and dialogue with several audience members. We will center our discussion on the following issues- among others you may want to bring to the table in connection with our main topics:
How can we foster leadership roles by rural girls and women and their full participation in society as they strive for sustainability and cope with climate change?
How can we empower, and promote the human rights of, rural girls and women- notably those from marginalized communities such as girls, women and all persons with disabilities- and ensure the exercise of their fundamental freedoms?
Can we engage in North-South constructive programmatic exchange to reach the above objectives, thus contributing to economic and social development and poverty eradication?
How can the exemplary model established by our green heroine Nobel Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai, and her inspiring influence upon us all- and most notably on girls and women throughout the world- be shared and perpetuated?
How does indigenous girls’ and women’s experience is influencing policy-making, as well as climate justice and development funding?
How can governments, UN agencies and Civil Society jointly share mitigation and adaptation techniques making them available and accessible to most climate-affected communities?- Which UN agencies, governmental and civil society entities will be willing to step into this role?
In rendering tribute to the unparalleled, visionary work of Dr. Maathai, we aspire to embrace and perpetuate her inspiring model that created a whole new generation of young women leaders—including most notably her daughter Wanjira herself. BEHIND AND AT THE CORE OF THE LIFE OF WANGARI MAATHAI IS THE WORK FOR A JUST, EQUITABLE AND ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE PLANET FOR ALL CITIZENS OF THE EARTH. Let us all respond to Wangari’s call. Let us commit to taking action to avoid the mistakes and harmful practices of many of us, which continue to hurt, compromise and destabilize the environment, the livelihood of communities most in need, and the planet at large. Note: We encourage you to bring a summation/written reports on your agency/civil society efforts on this topic, clearly including your contact information. Share with us GREEN PRACTICES, preparation for natural disasters,GIRLS AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT, and ERADICATION OF POVERTY efforts within your communities. We will honor all your comments, and sift through your presentations in an effort to make any follow up relevant. Given our time constraints during the panel, your written presentations will allow the planners of this panel to contact you to continue the exchange and take NEEDED INFORMATION FROM THE FIELD. In the spirit of Wangari Maathai and her successors, we sincerely want the networks of purpose, effort and skill to grow on CLIMATE JUSTICE coming out of CSW56.
