End of Year Report 2010

8/3/2019 End of Year Report 2010

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End of Year Activity Report

January to December 2010

Advancing Humanity


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1. Organisational Background

Established by some few dedicated then students of the University of The

Gambia in 2006, Global Unification The Gambia, a chapter of Global

Unification International based in Australia, has a cross-cutting mandate with

the ultimate goal of improving lives and livelihood and tapping the best out of

youth, intellectuals and grassroots wisdom for national development and

global peace. The association is manned by now-graduates of the University

of The Gambia, working in various sectors, who continue to recruit responsible

young people, to run it at national level; thus becoming a national chapter.

Critical issues such as gender, youth, advocacy, ICT and children are the

associations main areas of intervention and several activities and

programmes have been designed and implemented to this effect.

Being a dynamic youth group, topical issues such as climate change have

become a centre of focus on its agenda and so its actions for the past 2 years

have been directed towards creating awareness on environmental

degradation and the menacing threats of our changing climate.

To deepen commitments to the fight against climate change and for

environmental protection year 2010 plan of action was entirely dedicated to

the climate change phenomenon with Biodiversity as the theme. With the

assistance of some valuable and committed partners the larger chunk of the

outlined action plan have been implemented; thus described as a year of great

success for the association.

In this 2010 activity report, a run-down of activities, successes, constraints

and challenges have been highlighted for partners, stakeholders and the

association to gauze its performance and devise the way forward for greater

success.


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2. ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT IN 2010

2. 1 setting up of Eco clubs in schools

With the understanding that to effectively promote environmental protection

and create awareness on the looming threats of climate change, the youngpeople should be put into the picture for a sustainable posterity, Global

Unification The Gambia have set up Eco clubs in five schools including lower,

upper and senior secondary schools. These clubs have teacher coordinators

that serve as the caretakers of the functions of the clubs, while serving as link

between the association and the Eco clubs. Such schools include Serrekunda

Lower Basic School, Saint Thereses Upper Basic School, Charles Jaw Upper

Basic School, and Kotu Senior Secondary School.

These clubs effectively participated in Global Unifications last year activitiesand initiated their own programmes with technical support from their parent

body- GU.

Through these clubs, students are learning and participating in green action

programmes such as tree planting, nursery and floriculture. They are given the

opportunity to take part in climate and environmental education and

communication.

Furthermore, under this programme, we have undertaken an initiative calledthe Green Schools Initiative, a competition in which we award cash price and

other valuables to the most greened or environmentally friendly school. By

doing this, we increase the culture of caring of the environment among young

people.

2.2 Earth Day Celebration

The Earth Day celebration was among the various celebrations that Global

Unification The Gambia observed, and did it successfully. This fell on 25th

April 2010 through the guidance of the Earth Day Network in Washington DC,an international body that spearheads the celebrations world-wide. The Earth

Day ceremony was organised by Global Unification in partnership with

Phoenix project, US Peace Corps, Youth Alliance, and African Youth Initiative

on Climate Change among others. The program was supported by the

Ministry of Forestry and Environment, National Environmental Agency, the

Phoenix Project and Banjul Breweries Company Limited.

It is meant is to demonstrate our commitment and our consciousness of the

invaluable bounties of Mother Earth and the need to permanently take care of


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it. It was moment of celebrating efforts geared towards its up keep and a time

to reflect on the challenges that continue to threaten its resources designed

for sustainable human existence.

Members of the organisation, colourfully dressed in white designed T-Shirts

with some invited representatives of other youth groups, gathered at Brufut

Beach for a massive beach clean-up. This great occasion was graced by the

Honourable Minister of Environment, Jatto Sillah, Honourable Minister of

Tourism and Culture, Fatou Mass Jobe-Njie, officials from National

Environment Agency and pupils from our Eco clubs.

After the official opening ceremony characterised by speeches of the two

ministers, the Alkalo of the village of Brufut and other dignitaries, work began

in earnest and the beach was entirely cleaned up and the rubbish disposed

with the help of the Kanifing Municipal Council Cleansing Service.

The event was also marked by cultural dance, group discussion on climate

change and poster making.Food and refreshment were provided by the

Phoenix Project and Banjul Breweries.

2.3 10/10/10 Global Work Party

In The Gambia, the 10:10:10 Global Work Party was organized in the form of beach

clean-up exercise and youth climate rally. The program took place at the Palma

Rima Beach. This exercise was witnessed by the Permanent Secretary and Deputy

Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Forestry and Environment

Young people cleans the beach

as part of the 10/10/10 global work party party


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Time for climate Justice. Participants posing with posters

STOP CLIMATE CHANGE:

GUs Jalika Keita and Fatoumatta Posing for a photo

It was a youth-led climate action program geared towards raising awareness and

lobbying to policy makers for a decisive and urgent action to stop the climate crisis.

The program was also in response to 350.org Global event to raise voice for climate

justice worldwide.

For the successful implementation of the 10:10:10, a task force committee

comprising volunteers from Global Unification, Peace Corps and Youth Alliance were

created.


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We also had two radio programs at City Limit Radio and Paradise FM. Through this,

we were able to communicate to the public about the 10:10:10 Global Work Party

and the need for their participation. The response was very good as so many young

people turned up due to this media outreach.

The rally began with a welcome remark from Ebrima S. Dem, the National

Representative of Global Unification. In his welcoming statement, Mr. Dem explained

the importance of 10:10:10 Global Work Party and the importance of youth

participation in climate change discussion.

Other speakers were the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Forestry and

Environment Mr. Kebba Sonko, Ministry of Forestry and Environment, who spoke on

behalf of the Minister of Hon. Jato Sillah.

At the end of the rally, participants were entertained by Ma Folonko Jambe group, a

local young drummers group from Kartong Village.

There was also refreshment for the participants donated by Banjul Breweries

Company Ltd.

The program was covered by Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS). The

story came out in evening news broadcast.

2.4 Green School Initiative

The association succeeded in planting a large number of trees in schools that

we set up Eco clubs, with technical and logistic support of the Department of

Forestry. The largest number of these trees were planted at Kotu Senior

Secondary School, where about 400 trees were planted and some seedlings

under nursing was given to the care of the Eco Club there.

This is aimed at nurturing positive attitude in young people, specifically

students, in respect to environmental protection. It was also a practical

demonstration of our commitment to curbing climate change through suchinitiatives as afforestration in view of our ever dwindling forest, which has

serious repercussions on our climate.

3. Capacity building programs

The volunteers of Global Unification The Gambia benefited from a training on

time management, team building and leadership skills. Experts were invited to

conduct a days training for our volunteers. This gave the opportunity for

members to appreciate the value of time and the need to act accordingly in


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executing their duties, as well as the dynamics of team building and

management in order to nurture the spirit of effective leadership in the

members.

Also teacher coordinators of the Eco Clubs were trained on climate change

and environmental education as well as environmental team buildings. This

we believe is important since the knowledge on environment and climate the

students receive depends to a large extent the knowledge of their teachers in

the subject matter.

4. Youth Summer School

In its continuous effort to engage young people by supporting their innovation,

GU organised the 2010 Youth Summer School. This activity was held at the

Serrekunda Primary School from the 1st to the 31st August 2010. It broughttogether up to 90 young people from 8 schools in the Greater Banjul Area.

During the summer school, students from grades 7 to 12 were provided study

classes in core subjects such as IT, English, Maths, Biology, and Agriculture

among others. They were also provided training in public speaking, quiz

competition, drama, mining, acting and cultural dance. The tutors at the

summer were volunteers from the University of The Gambia and other

institutions, some of whom are members of the Association. Through this

program, we inculcate the culture of volunteerism among university graduatesand final year students.

Lesson is progress: GU summer school


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Time for sports: Summer School Participants play football

Training on public speaking:

GUs Jalika Keita share skills with participants


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The outside-class activities of the summer school included:

I. Cleaning exercise: During the summer school, students cleaned the

school campus. The cleaning exercise carried out with the slogan

Practice what we preach saw young people take part actively in

community service. This aimed of this among other things is

encouraging other young people to develop the culture of caring for the

environment

II. Tree planting: the students participated in tree plantings at the school

and their community.

III. Disaster risk reduction: The Summer School participants, together

with their tutors - volunteers of Global Unification - with support from the

National Disaster Managements Kanifing Municipal branch carried outan exercise dubbed: Youth participating in disaster reduction in The

Gambia. During this event, participants removed plastic debris and

other solid particles from gutters in Serekunda market, which block

water ways leading to inundation of the market and surrounding homes.

Thanks to the efforts of these young people, the market, despite the

heavy down pour in last years rainy season did not witness serious

inundation like previous years.

Taking a stand on disaster risk reduction

Summer school participants cleans the gutters at Serekunda

Market


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During the exercise, students also had discussion with shop owners and

passers-by about the impact of throwing plastic bags in the gutters.

They also advised the shop owners to get garbage bins in their shops,

to be disposed by the Kanifing Municipal cleansing service instead of

throwing them indiscriminately.

IV. Excursion to nature reserves and forest parks: The summer school

was characterised by excursion to the reptile garden in Medina Sallam,

Kartong Folonko and Kartong Bird Sanctuary. At the reptile garden,

students had the opportunity to see for the first time a cobra, green

mamba, crocodiles, and other reptiles found in The Gambia. They were

informed about the different species of snake in the Gambia.

Participants at visit Madinasalam Reptile Garden,

Time for reflection on biodiversity conservation

At Folonko shrine, students were told about the legend surrounding the

village and its amazing history. They also had the opportunity to wash

their feet in the holy water at Shrine before proceeding to the Kartong

Bird Sanctuary. At the sanctuary, they were met by the proprietor, a

British, who told them everything about the study of birds, migrating

birds and the need to preserve our national flora and fauna.


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association participated. This year alone, we took part in over six international

fora, key among these are:

a. NMC Youth Meeting for Sustainable future, Bari, Italy

This meeting was held in Bari, Italy, from the 18th to the 21th of January2010. It was organised by Italian Government, under the auspice of

regional Government of Apulia and in partnership with UNESCO, inter-

America Bank and UN-Habitat. Forum which was carried on the theme: IL

FOTURO NON E FINITO, mean, The future is not over yet, brought

together over 400 young leaders worldwide to discuss and share ideas on

how to enhance young people participation in decision making processes

on sustainable development and to influence policy both at national and

international level.

From the Gambia, a two member delegate led by Ebrima Dem, took part

this meeting. During the meeting, delegates learn, shared good practices

on various global issues affecting humanity notably; climate change,

gender base violence, child exploitation, youth unemployment, responsible

citizenship etc. The Gambian delegation also had the opportunity to

present youth-led local projects in the Gambia and also forged partnership

with number of youth groups represented at the meeting

b. MAN UP young leaders summit, Johannesburg South Africa from4th to the 11th July 2010.

This summit was organised by man up Global campaign to stop violence

against women and girls, Washington, USA in partnership with NOVO

foundation, Daphne foundation and hosted by the medical research

council, South Africa. The summit brought together more than 150 young

leaders from 50 countries to engage in international fellowship and team

about issues of violence against women.

The delegation from Global unification-the Gambia, was Ms. Fatoumatta

Bah, Deputy national Representative of GU and Ebrima Dem. During this

summit, they had the opportunity to network and build partnership among

young advocate for gender reforms and women right defenders, linking

efforts in the fight to end violence against women and girls globally. They

also had the opportunity to showcase a new project of Global unification in

the Gambia entitled: womens Initiatives for Education and

Empowerment (WIFE). The aim of this project is to support local women


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through gardening, thereby improving their financial status needed to lift

them out of extreme poverty (seewww.1procent.nl/projects/wife).

The young people at this summit were joined by renowned celebrities,

musicians in global chorus to end violence against women. It was

characterised by workshop, breakout session group action planning among

others.

c. Regional Workshop on the Implementation of Article 6 of the

UNFCCC Convention in Africa, Banjul, 13-14 September 2010

This workshop was organised by the United Nation Framework Convention

on climate change and hosted by the government of the Gambia.

Mr. E. Dem presenting at the article 6 regional workshop

The workshop brought together key climate change experts from all over

Africa and young people to deliberate on ways to implement article 6 of the

UNFCCC, which call for public participation, education, cooperation and

access to information on climate change. During the workshop young

people from the Gambia under auspices of the African youth Initiative on

climate Change organised a side event and lobby policy makers for the

engagement of young people in climate change solutions.

During the workshop, Mr. Ebrima S. Dem, the National Representative of

GU, presented on behalf of YOUNGO-The youth Constituency within

UNFCCC entitled: Youth Climate actions and their roles in the

implementation of article 6. His presentation highlighted all the good
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work young people are doing with regard to climate change. This

presentation can be found atwww.unfccc.int

d. COP 16 climates Change Negotiation, Cancun Mexico

For the second time in a row, young people from the Gambia had theopportunity to participate in the high level UNFCCC climate negotiation.

This year, the UNFCCC 16th session, referred as COP 16 was held in

Cancun, Mexico. The National Representative of Global Unification, the

Gambia was invited as an official youth representative of the delegation

from the Gambia. His participation to this meeting was funded by Global

Campaign for Climate Action (GCCA) with accreditation from the

government of the Gambia.

Put the Can in Cancun

Mr. Dem posing with a climate justice banner at the COP 16

The conference avail GU delegate to observe proceeding of the climate

change negotiation, share best practices among youth climate justice

advocates and support the delegation of the Gambia with physical work

.He also participate in the African group meetings, LDCs meetings and also

followed the negotiation on REDD ( Reduction of Emission from

deforestation and forest degradation), climate finance, article 6. Mr. Dem

also contributed in writing of the YOUNGO-Youth Constituency of

UNFCCC, policy paper on article 6.
http://www.unfccc.int/http://www.unfccc.int/http://www.unfccc.int/http://www.unfccc.int/


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7. Constraints/Challenges

Despite the achievements, we were faced with constraints that either affected

the total implementation of our programmes or prevented their

implementation.

Finance was the major obstacle. Some of the activities and programmes

outlined in the Action Plan could not be carried out because of the tight

budget. Being a voluntary youth association, financial constraint has continued

to hamper our efforts.

8. Way forward

Inspired by our last year achievements, we have entered 2011 with a greater

motivation to set more targets and to achieve, to a greater magnitude, theobjectives of those targets. We are more determined than ever before to

fulfilling our commitments as youths, to national development and global

peace

We will intensify efforts to sensitise, initiate and to be innovative of ideas and

programmes directed at the fight against climate change and environmental

degradation. Our commitment will widened to include crucial issues like peace

building and conflict resolution.

In our aspiration to succeed in meeting this years targets or plan of action, we

hope to strengthen relations with partners, who were instrumental in our last

year success and to seek more even greater success.

9. Appreciation

Our success and trials in the course of year 2010 were not endured single

handed on the part of the association. Excellent partners have accompanied

the association in the journey with genuine desire to see to the success of the

association. We therefore express and extend our sincere gratitude to itspartners and supporters such as:

1. ActionAid international, The Gambia

2. National Disaster Management Agency

3. Global Unification International

4. Vision Development Foundation

5. National Environment Agency


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6. Ministry of Forestry and Environment

7. Banjul Breweries Company Ltd.

Documents

End of Year Report 2010