The International Children’s Climate Change Conference that took place at Kampala Sheraton Hotel Gardens on Wednesday called for tough measures to fight against climate change.
Government Chief Whip Ruth Nankabirwa is received at the Conforence by Cerinah Zalwango, the CSR manager for Vivo Energy Uganda
The successful conference organized by Little Hands Go Green, My Kid is a Super star to create a culture of environmental care among school children in the fight against climate change had key note speakers calling for environmental conservation. Several schools came together to air out messages against climate change. The children presented messages on the theme of the “The child citizen finding our own solutions to the climate change crisis”.
Ruth Nankabirwa prepare to plant a tree with Little Hands Go Green kids
Joseph Masembe, the chief executive officer of Little Hand Go Green, the organisers of the event noted that his aim is not to see the climate change to the worst telling guests that children must be prepared to tackle climate change issues from a tender age.
Vivo Energy Uganda MD Hans Paulsen greets some dignitaries at the conference as Little Hands Go Green CEO Joseph Masembe looks on
“We want every child to plant fruit trees in towns, villages and everywhere. We should do this because we care about the children, the environment and the future. This must be done without waiting for government or anyone. Children are our future and the only way we can save the world from Global Warming is by teaching them how to preserve nature,” he added.
Mirembe Junior School children explaining what saving environment does, to Vivo MD Hans Paulsen
The main sponsors of the event, Vivo Energy’s Managing Director, Mr. Hans Paulsen, said that this is part of Vivo Energy’s efforts to instill in young people a sense of ownership and pride in their environment. He noted that children are the future and that their involvement in conservation is a necessity for the survival of the planet earth.
Mirembe Junior School children show Vivo Energy MD Hans Paulsen on how to preserve the environment
Paulsen cautioned citizens to avoid illegal tree harvesting, one of the leading causes of environmental degradation. “Uganda has already lost two-thirds of its forests in the last 20 years and if action is not taken could lose all of its forested land by 2050. This would have severe repercussions for the country’s poorest people. Issues surrounding deforestation have to be addressed,” said Paulsen.
Little Hands Go Green CEO, Joseph Masembe (seated) pose for a group photo with dignitaries and children
He added that as a company that deals in fuel, Vivo energy has both direct responsibility for the impact it makes and a business, and a responsibility to educate local communities to help them protect the environment. “In all our operations our target is goal zero which means zero harm to people, assets and environment. We have prioritised environmental management in the design of all our structures and in our operations”.
Irish Ambassador to Uganda Donal Cronin, Ministry of Gender PS Pius Bigirimana and Vivo Energy MD Hans Paulsen pose with children holding trees at the conference
Irish Ambassador to Uganda, Donal Cronin said he was happy to see schools join together to find solutions to preserve environment. “Its people like you to make sure that climate is protected. He said he is partner with join Little Hands Go Green for the betterment of the world’s climate. The future lies in the hands of these children and that Uganda is their country, make your country look like Ireland which full of green,”. He said his government is ready to continue working with Little Hands Go Green on how to preserve and protect nature.
Pius Bigirimana addressing guests
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Pius Bigirimana advised guests to protect rights of children. “Help these children to know that they have big contributions to make especially protection of the environment. Parents, guardians, schools and the public must play a role in educating the young ones about environmental issues because 57 percent of the country’s population is in the age bracket of 1-17 years. “If the current generation destroys the environment in the eyes of these children then our future is doomed,” Bigirimana added.
Ministry of Gender PS Pius Bigirimana, Vivo MD Hans Paulsen and Kampala Sheraton Hotel General manager Ian Duncan follow proceedings at the conference
NEMA’s Bob Katukore said the organization is very committed and ready to work with anyone with ideas of preserving and protecting the environment.
Kampala Sheraton Hotel general manager, Ian Duncan joins Ruth Nankabirwa to plant some tree
Ian Duncan, the General Manager of Kampala Sheraton Hotel said the hostel’s management was positive about saving the environment. “From here where we are, you can see how we have preserved green, this is what must be done countrywide, we as Sheraton we are ready to continue working with Little Hands Go Green in such campaigns,” he added.
It was a full house at the conference
Children were also taught foot ball skills from former Premiership star Rob Lee and football expert Mark Ellis who are in the country to see who to improve football development.
A member of Little Hands Go Green pose for a photo with some of the children at the conference
Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu Chief Government Whip who represented the Prime Minister of Uganda Hon. Ruhaka Rugunda while closing the conference said the government commends the works done by Little Hands Go Green to protect the environment and promised government support.
Joseph Masembe of Little Hands Go Green pose with some of the children at the conference
She said government is committed to the ‘kavera’ (polythene bag) ban as one of the ways of protecting the environment. “We as government we are truly behind the campaign to save and preserve our environment, therefore we support everything initiated by Little Hands Go Green. She later took part in planting trees in the Sheraton Gardens with some of the children.
Rob Lee and Mark Ellis passed out some football skills to the youngsters
The conference attracted high profile dignitaries including Chief Government Whip Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, Vivo Energy MD Hans Paulsen, Gender Ministry Permanent secretary Pius Bigirimana, Dónal Cronin the Ireland ambassador to Uganda, Ian Duncan General Manager of Sheraton Kampala, Andrew Seguya the Executive Director Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Joseph Masembe CEO little Hands Go Green.
Ruth Nankabirwa addressing children and guests at the closing ceremony
This conference saw 250 children join together to develop solutions to the existing climate change crisis. The brilliant presentations by the schools challenged policy makers to address issues of environmental management with urgency.
Mirembe Junior school on arrival for the conference
Rainbow International school children pose for a group photo after arriving for the conference
