Miss Uwase calls for Investment in FLR youth movement as global challenge to ‘Restore Our Future’ takes momentum
By Ange de la Victoire DUSABEMUNGU
UWASE HIRWA Honorine, Miss Popularity Rwanda 2017 and AFR100 & IUCN-FLR Youth Ambassador as well as Founder of Youth FLR Movement has called for the tangible investments in Youth’s Forests and Landscape Restoration movements if countries are to achieve the target of restoring over 210 million hectares of forest landscapes under the Bonn Challenge and creating an opportunity to boost climate ambition.
Uwase was speaking on Wednesday, 2nd September 2020 at a Virtual live panel discussion with youth climate activists addressing how forest landscape restoration is key in tackling the climate crisis.
The discussions were organized as part of the 24 hours global digital events to celebrate the first major milestone of the Bonn Challenge and the enormous impact of the forest landscape restoration (FLR) movement.
This panel, streamed live on Youtube, explored the synergies between the youth climate movement and the Bonn Challenge and forest landscape restoration. Panelists discussed why restoration is important to them, including as a way to tackle the climate crisis.
On her turn, Uwase Honorine from Rwanda said “We need to invest in young people’s movements. They are people that are supposed to reach out people…if we need to keep this going and give more effective results outcomes in this new decade that we started we need to invest and encourage this young movements that are raising”
She explained that FLR Youth movement Rwanda with the support of IUCN is trying to see “how we can invest in young people’s ideas, innovations and how we can support them in the implementation of those innovative ideas that they are going to bring on the table.”
“Commitment and consistence are important to achieve the target for this decade” She noted.
In Rwanda, young people have continuously showed appetite in joining various campaigns aiming to restore the nature.
From communication to on ground activities, youth are engaged in Environmental protection across the country.
However, lack of support has been one of challenges that are hindering the takeoff these challenges.
Charles Karangwa, IUCN Regional Technical Coordinator – Forests, landscapes and Livelihoods told TOPAFRICANEWS that resources scarcity is the main challenge to landscape restoration.
He said “It is indeed true that resources are scarce for environmental protection. We need to re-imagine sustainable finance and include actions that enhance nature-based solutions.”
Mr. Karangwa added that all investments in development sector should where possible optimize nature capacity to provide long lasting solutions.
“IUCN will continue to work with countries across the globe and Rwanda in particular to implement green finance solutions for people and nature.” He explained
