Summit for youth to engage in building a greener future
JOBURG - The Generation Earth Summit took place at the Sandton Convention Centre to give young people a voice about environmental issues and mobilising them to take the reins to ensure a sustainable future.
“With this summit, Generation Earth has created a platform for young people to engage with organisations that are making decisions and taking action that affects their future,” said Candy Tothill, Tsogo Sun’s general manager of corporate affairs.
“We’re very proud to be a part of this forward-thinking initiative and have every confidence that the work being done now will have a positive impact for generations to come.”
Generation Earth was founded by Ella Bella Constantinides, a United Nations youth mentor and ambassador who launched the initiative in 2011. The organisation works with 87 urban-based high school councils around the country, comprising about 1 700 pupils involved in a structured action plan for the youth to make a difference in the betterment of the environment.
The youngsters on the Generation Earth councils are expected to be studying the sciences and to have expressed an interest in a career involving the environment.
“The Generation Earth programme is an ideal fit for Tsogo Sun as it connects perfectly with our social investment programmes which target the youth and education,” said Tothill.
“The focus of Generation Earth is on young people and changing behaviour, and on encouraging thought leadership.”
The main focus of this year’s summit was food security ahead of the critical climate change negotiations in Paris, taking place in December this year. The negotiations aim to achieve a new international agreement on the climate, applicable to all countries.
“This is our fourth summit and, over the years, we have strived to build a generation of leaders who are committed to developing sustainable-minded communities, societies and countries that will be a part of the green cities of the future,” said Constantinides.
She also commended Generation Earth’s partners Tsogo Sun, Nedbank, the United States of America Embassy, and local supporters including the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, the Department of Basic Education, Lead SA and Brand SA for contributing so significantly to Generation Earth.
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