Global trade and economic growth over the last half century have driven huge improvements in health and living standards but also undermined the stability of the Earth’s natural systems and exacerbated global inequality. The 2020 Living Planet Index shows that global populations of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish have suffered an average 68% decline in less than half a century (from 1970 to 2016). According to the World Economic Forum Global Risks Report 2020, the top five most pressing challenges facing Africa and the world over the next decade are, for the first time, all related to the environment, and include biodiversity loss and climate change. Thus, the main cause of this dramatic decline is habitat loss and degradation, including deforestation, driven by how we as humanity produce food.
Our economies are embedded within nature but economics do not recognize that human health, wealth and security depend on safeguarding environmental health. Nature powers industry and enterprise but we are using up ‘natural capital’ and degrading natural systems faster than nature can replenish and restore them, exceeding Earth’s overall bio capacity by 58% according to Ecological Foot printing.
Failure to tackle nature’s decline will increase nature-related risk (desertification, pollution, erosion, overexploitation of natural resources such as forest and water), hamper prosperity and economic development, further disrupt supply chains, threaten global food security, and cost the global economy at least $479 billion a year – amounting to $10 trillion by 2050.
Addressing the aforementioned challenges requires the involvement of youths and civil society. Thus, as part of its engagement for ecosystems restoration African network of Young Leaders for Peace and Sustainable Development has set the New Deal for Nature and People Coalition made up of over 500 civil society organizations committed towards the nature and human positive Vision: to stop and reverse the catastrophic loss of biodiversity, ensure good governance, human rights, peacebuilding and put nature on the path recovery for present and future generations. In 2020, African youths and civil society organizations members of the coalition drafted two regional position papers on COVID19 and pandemics and towards a strong post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework for a green growth resumption in Africa and in the world.
Youth and Civil Society have a role to lead the continent and the world to transiting to custodians of natural capital, human rights, peace and development. African Network of Young Leaders for Peace and sustainable Development champions the New Deal for Nature and People and believes that there is a need of ambassadors. The present call aims at recruiting the 2021 Cohort of the New Deal for Nature and People Ambassadors.
Overview on the New Deal for Nature and People Ambassador
Can become New Deal for Nature and People (ND4NP) Ambassadors, citizens of all countries, engaged to stop and reverse the catastrophic loss of biodiversity, ensure good governance, human rights, peacebuilding and put nature on the path recovery for present and future generations. Ambassador share their experiences, help document community stories, priorities, ideas, worries, needs, and opinions related to climate change and biodiversity.
With the help of Ambassadors, those that are underrepresented, underserved, or made vulnerable, and expected to experience the first and worst consequences of climate change, see their voice heard and are involved in decision making processes concerning their life and future. We understand and value that people know best how to engage with their own communities, and we encourage Ambassadors to engage with their communities in their own way.
We’re not looking for the strongest activists. What we are looking for people who love the humanity and planet and are voluntarily dedicated, even with small actions, to safeguard our planet and champion human rights.
Objective and Approach
The objective of the New Deal for Nature and People Ambassadors is to mentor youth in becoming more active by:
- Providing information on relevant ecosystems, climate and sustainable development related issues at local, regional and international level;
- Raising awareness about how ecosystem and climate issues affect human rights, peacebuilding, migration, and others sustainable development goals, how decisions are made and how youth can affect those decisions
- Providing opportunities for youth to participate in meaningful discussions about the urban environment (through events, online, etc.)
- Making the New Deal for Nature and People fresh, fun and tailored to youths
Key components of the program include:
- An online portal for information on ecosystem, climate, and human rights related issues
- Events that bring together young people (e.g., high school/university/college students, young professionals, etc.) and leaders to discuss ecosystem and human rights related issues
- A network of youth and youth organizations with similar objectives
What is ND4NP Ambassadors?
- A New Deal for Nature and People (ND4NP) Ambassador is a young person who has volunteered to act as a representative, contributor and/or and promoter of the New Deal for Nature and People and is committed to helping stop and reverse the catastrophic loss of biodiversity, ensure good governance, human rights, peacebuilding and put nature on the path recovery for present and future generations.
- New Deal for Nature and People (ND4NP) Ambassadors do not absolutely need any formal training or education in ecosystem, climate and human rights related issues. They can be high school students, college/university students, young professionals, civil society activists, or somewhere in between.
Roles and Responsibilities of ND4NP Ambassadors
There are four possible ND4NP Ambassador roles:
- Content Makers – Developing blog posts, articles and other research tasks.
- Experience Makers– Working with African Network of Young Leaders for Peace and Sustainable Development towards the Post 2020 biodiversity framework for ecosystems restoration.
- Social Makers – Engaging other youth by sharing, posting, tweeting and discussing on thematic related to the New Deal for Nature and People.
- Media Makers – Making videos, infographics or taking pictures to support New Deal for Nature and People
The ND4NP Ambassadors also have a responsibility to represent the ND4NP brand in their country and be an advocate for the initiative.
Roles and Responsibilities of African Network of Young Leaders for Peace and Sustainable Development (ANYL4PSD)
ANYL4PSD is responsible for overall management and delivery of the New Deal for Nature and People Coalition. Key roles for ANYL4PSD include:
- Recruit and manage the ND4NP Ambassadors
- Provide the tools and guidance needed to help Ambassadors complete their assigned tasks.
- Communicate with ND4NP Ambassadors on a regular basis.
- Create and manage the website and blog.
- Develop templates and instructions for creating blog posts and factsheets.
- Grow/facilitate the ND4NP Ambassadors network through social media and marketing.
What’s in it for you?
- Each of Ambassador roles provides an opportunity for you to contribute to a meaningful and important youth initiative.
- A one-year renewable certificate will be delivered to you.
- Becoming a ND4NP Ambassadors will give you an opportunity to improve and develop new skills in research, writing, event coordination, media creation, etc.
- ANYL4PSD will be happy to provide a reference or vouch for your contributions. You will also have the opportunity to interact with professionals, other organizations, speakers, etc. along the way.
- Your actions for Nature and climate, human rights and Peace will be showcased and disseminated in several platforms and Magazine.
- You’ll get to connect with other youth with similar interests (who may end up being your colleagues one day!). Plus, it’s going to be a lot of fun!
The deadline for submitting applications is August 18, 2021, then we will assess all applicants and announce the names of the new ND4NP ambassadors.