Fatou Jeng

Last updated

Fatou Jeng is a youth climate activist from the Gambia, focused on education, conservation and planting trees. [1] [2] [3] In March 2023, the United Nations' Secretary-General announced Fatou and 6 others as members of his Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change to provide him with practical and outcome-focused advice, diverse youth perspectives and concrete recommendations, with a clear focus on accelerating the implementation of his climate action agenda. [4] She is internationally recognized as an organizer of youth climate action in the country, including hosting the National Youth Conference on Climate Change, [1] [5] country coordinator and global board member for Plant-for-the-Planet, [6] [7] and a Friday for Future organizer. [8] She also has served as a moderator, speaker, and resource person for several national and international programs on climate change including COP23 and COP24, the Global Landscapes Forum's 2018 Bonn conference, Action for Climate Empowerment Youth Forum 2018, and many more international engagements.

Jeng also founded the youth lead and non-profit organization Clean Earth Gambia. The goal of the organization is to create awareness about issues concerning the environment, most importantly climate change. As well as work to teach and train more than 500 school children about climate change as well as environmental issues to local communities. [9]

In 2019, for the first ever UNFCC YOUNGO, the youth delegation to the Climate Negotiations, she was one of thirty people selected. [10] At the United Nations convention she was a driving force for policy submission on gender and climate change as well as the policy operation lead for Women and Gender. Also in 2019, she helped facilitate youth engagement during Africa Climate week. [11]

She was the QTV Youth Dialogue Gambian Youth of the Month in June 2019 for her climate change advocacy, [12] and described by Whatson Gambia as one of the 30 most influential young Gambians. [13] The UN Country Office in her home country, the Gambia described her as a "trailblazing youth climate activist and a driving force for policy submissions on gender and climate change" [14]

"Women play fundamental roles in local food systems and are carers and activists, which make them uniquely placed to drive longer term climate resilience." Fatou's advocacy for gender inclusion in climate action was pivotal to UK £165 million funding to advance gender equality in climate action, which COP27's President Alok Sharma announced [15] in November 2021.

In 2021, She was recognized as one of the Top 100 Young African Conservation Leaders by the African Alliance of YMCAs, the African Wildlife Fund, and a collection of many more international non-profit organizations. She has been featured in interviews by the UNFCCC, [16] BBC, DW

Personal life

Jeng was a student at the University of the Gambia, and was the first female president of the university's student union. [13] [17] [18] And graduated from the University of Sussex where she obtained a master's degree in environment, development, and policy.

She is married to Adama Njie and together they have a son, Muhammed A. Njie.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mpule Kwelagobe</span> Botswana businesswoman, model, and beauty queen

Mpule Keneilwe Kwelagobe is a Motswana investor, businesswoman, model, and beauty queen who was crowned Miss Universe 1999. She was the first black African woman to win one of the Big Four international beauty pageants, the first woman from Botswana to win, and the first from a nation making their debut in nearly four decades. Kwelagobe had previously been crowned Miss Botswana 1997 and Miss Universe Botswana 1999, and competed in Miss World 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fatou Bensouda</span> Gambian lawyer and former prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (2012–2021)

Fatou Bom Bensouda is a Gambian lawyer and former Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), who has served as the Gambian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom since 3 August 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hassoum Ceesay</span>

Hassoum Ceesay is a Gambian historian, writer and museum curator at the Gambia National Museum. He is one of the most prolific Gambian historians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate movement</span> Nongovernmental organizations engaged in climate activism

The climate movement is a global social movement focused on pressuring governments and industry to take action addressing the causes and impacts of climate change. Environmental non-profit organizations have engaged in significant climate activism since the late 1980s and early 1990s, as they sought to influence the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Climate activism has become increasingly prominent over time, gaining significant momentum during the 2009 Copenhagen Summit and particularly following the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United Nations Climate Change Conference</span> Diplomatic summit concerning greenhouse gas emissions effects

The 2016 United Nations Climate Change Conference was an international meeting of political leaders and activists to discuss environmental issues. It was held in Marrakech, Morocco, on 7–18 November 2016. The conference incorporated the twenty-second Conference of the Parties (COP22), the twelfth meeting of the parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP12), and the first meeting of the parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA1). The purpose of the conference was to discuss and implement plans about combatting climate change and to "[demonstrate] to the world that the implementation of the Paris Agreement is underway". Participants work together to come up with global solutions to climate change.

Fatou Mass Jobe-Njie is a Gambian politician who served as Minister of Tourism and Culture from 2010 to 2014 and ambassador to Malaysia from 2014 to 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Action for Climate Empowerment</span>

Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) is a term adopted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It refers to Article 6 of the Convention's original text (1992), focusing on six priority areas: education, training, public awareness, public participation, public access to information, and international cooperation on these issues. The implementation of all six areas has been identified as the pivotal factor for everyone to understand and participate in solving the complex challenges presented by climate change. The importance of ACE is reflected in other international frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals ; the Global Action Programme for Education for Sustainable Development ; the Aarhus Convention (2011); the Escazú Agreement (2018) and the Bali Guidelines (2010).

Fatoumata "Fatu" Camara is a television presenter and journalist from the West African state of The Gambia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adenike Oladosu</span> Nigerian climate activist

Adenike Oladosu is a Nigerian climate activist, and initiator of the school strike for climate in Nigeria. She has showcased her climate action at international conferences including the UN Climate Change Conference, World Economic Forum, and Elevate festival in Graz-Austria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerome Foster II</span> American climate activist (born 2002)

Jerome Foster II is an American environmental activist. He is the youngest-ever White House advisor in United States history, as a member of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council within the Biden administration. Foster is a leading voice for marginalized and working class communities in spaces pushing for social, economic and environmental justice. Foster is one of the major organizers of Fridays for Future; holding weekly climate strikes at the front gates of the White House for over 57 weeks. He has previously served as a congressional intern for U.S. Representative John Lewis at the age of 16 and served on the Washington DC State Board of Education's Advisory Council at the age of 14.

Priscilla Mbarumun Achakpa is a Nigerian environmental activist. She is the founder and Global President of the Women Environment Programme (WEP) that provides women with sustainable solutions to everyday problems. Just before that, she was the executive director of WEP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hilda Flavia Nakabuye</span> Ugandan climate and environmental rights activist

Hilda Flavia Nakabuye is a Ugandan climate and environmental rights activist who founded Uganda's Fridays for Future movement. She also advocates for greater gender equality and racial diversity in the climate change movement. One of her environmental concerns is saving Lake Victoria, which connects Uganda to neighboring countries. As part of her activism, Nakabuye visits schools and communities to empower more women to join the fight against climate change, stating that "the climate crisis has no borders". She also created Climate Striker Diaries, an online platform to encourage digital awareness about climate change.

Leah Namugerwa is a youth climate activist in Uganda. She is known for leading tree planting campaigns and for starting a petition to enforce the plastic bag ban in Uganda. Following inspiration from Greta Thunberg, she began supporting school strikes in February 2019 with fellow Fridays for the Future Uganda organizer Sadrach Nirere.

Yola Mgogwana is a South African climate activist from Khayelitsha, Cape Town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saoi O'Connor</span> Irish climate activist

Saoi O'Connor is an Irish climate activist, who began the Fridays for Future strike in Cork, Ireland in January 2019.

Fatou Sanyang Kinteh also known as Fatou Kinteh is a Gambian politician and women's rights activist. She currently serves as the Gambian minister for women's affairs, children, and social welfare. She also serves as the national coordinator of The Gambia for Gender-Based Violence and Female Genital Mutilation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sofía Hernández Salazar</span> Costa Rica human rights and environmental activist

Sofia Hernandez Salazar is a Costa Rican human rights, and environmental activist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hatim Aznague</span> Climate change activists

Hatim Aznague is a climate justice advocate and activist from Morocco. He is known for mobilizing youth. and encouraging the government to engage and involve youth in the process of decision making related to sustainable development and climate change.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joshua Amponsem</span> Ghanaian climate activist and entrepreneur

Joshua Amponsem is a Ghanaian climate advocate and a co-founder of Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO). He is the climate specialist at the Office of the UN Secretary General's Envoy on Youth. He is the Lead Author of Adapt for Our Future, the first-ever research paper on the role of youth in advancing climate adaptation. His career has been more focused on grassroots climate and waste management solutions while advancing youth engagement in resilience building, disaster risk reduction, and climate change adaptation at the international level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ineza Umuhoza Grace</span> Eco-feminist

Ineza Umuhoza Grace is an eco-feminist, climate activist and environmentalist from Kigali, Rwanda. She is the CEO of The Green Protector, co-ordinator of the Loss and Damage Youth Coalition and Research Assistant for the CCLAD project. She was a Global Citizen Prize winner in 2023.

References

  1. 1 2 "'We, too, want to be heard,' young African climate champions cry out". The East African. 5 July 2020. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
  2. ↑ "Fridays for Future: Can they keep the pressure up? | DW | 20.08.2020". DW.COM. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
  3. ↑ "Environmental and Climate activist round the world today mark Earth Day demonstrate". ptvGambia. Apr 22, 2020.
  4. ↑ Nations, United. "The Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change". United Nations. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  5. ↑ "Gambian Young People Host Road to Nairobi Temperature Check with UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Natalia Kanem". UNFPA Gambia. 2019-08-14. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
  6. ↑ "Gambian youth take the lead in tree planting initiatives". DIRAJ. 2020-06-05. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
  7. ↑ "Climate Action Studio SB48: Fatou Jeng final, Plant for the Planet initiative, Gambia". UNFCCC Climate Action Studio.
  8. ↑ "We won't let your money destroy our future". news.trust.org. Thomson Reuters Foundation. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
  9. ↑ "Meet the eight African women shaping the future of the continent". Landscape News. 2021-05-25. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
  10. ↑ "SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts" (PDF). Proceedings 8th Economic and Social Council Youth Forum .
  11. ↑ "Know More About The First Female President Of The University of the Gambia. | Afrinity Productions". 2020-10-07. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  12. ↑ "YOUTH DIALOGUE 12.06.19". QTV Gambia.
  13. 1 2 Saja. "The 30 most influential young Gambians of 2019". www.whatson-gambia.com. Archived from the original on 2020-10-31. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
  14. ↑ "From the Streets of Banjul to The Frontlines of COP26 | United Nations in The Gambia". gambia.un.org. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  15. ↑ "UK boost to advance gender equality in climate action". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  16. ↑ Climate Action Studio SB48: Fatou Jeng final, Plant for the Planet initiative, Gambia , retrieved 2023-03-17
  17. ↑ "Gambian Women: Role models for fruitful and equal opportunities | Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK" . Retrieved 2020-08-26.
  18. ↑ "UTG Elects 1st Female President". The Digest. 2018-03-30. Archived from the original on 2020-11-14. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.