PACJA to Train 500 Young People on Climate Justice

The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), a group of over 2000 organizations focused on climate action across 54 African countries, has announced the sixth round of its Nairobi Summer School on Climate Justice. This new cohort aims to train 500 young people.

The trainees will come from both Africa and beyond. They will join a workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, set for 20 June to 3 July 2027. This was shared on Friday during the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Participants will learn about climate negotiations. They will gain knowledge on climate finance, adaptation, loss and damage, just transition, and accountability. The program includes mock negotiations and opportunities to meet negotiators and policymakers.

PACJA promotes climate action through building skills, advocating for policies, conducting research, and supporting local climate projects and land restoration efforts.

Mithika Mwenda, PACJA's executive director, highlighted that Africa's youth make up about 60 percent of the continent’s population but hold less than five percent of positions where climate decisions are made.

He explained that the school was created in 2020 to bridge this gap. The previous five cohorts have trained over 2500 young people from 144 countries.

Moving forward, the program will take place every two years as part of PACJA's strategic plan from 2026 to 2030.

“Young Africans should not only be invited to the table. They should arrive prepared,” said Augustine Njamnshi, chair of PACJA’s political and technical affairs, during the announcement of the new cohort.

Njamnshi also expressed gratitude to the African Development Bank, the UN Economic Commission for Africa, the Swedish Development Agency, the East African Legislative Assembly, and the HBCU Green Fund for their support.

He noted that the school’s alumni include young negotiators, policy analysts, and people working on the green economy and in academic fields.

Smriti Shah, from the fourth cohort, shared her experience with PREMIUM TIMES. She said she once thought climate justice was “highly political,” but PACJA changed her view.

“PACJA taught me to carry the views of communities to policymakers. Now I include climate justice in every humanitarian program I work on,” she explained.

Shampi Anna, also from the same cohort, mentioned that alumni are supporting young MPs in Kenya with bills, lobbying, and advocacy.

“We worked, and we continue to work with young parliamentarians in Kenya,” Ms Anna said.

Anuoluwapo Otubusin, a Nigerian from the fifth cohort, told FEMNET that her experience was more than just a training session.

“It was a turning point in how I currently view advocacy, policy influencing, solidarity, and my role in shaping a feminist climate future,” she said.

To apply for the latest cohort, candidates must be between 18 and 35 years old and have at least a high school certificate.

PACJA mentioned it will prioritize applicants from areas most affected by climate change in Africa and the Global South. This includes young people from indigenous communities, grassroots movements, women’s groups, universities, and policy institutions.