Report on the Global Work party in the Gambia

8/3/2019 Report on the Global Work party in the Gambia

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Report on the 10:10:10 Global Work Party-The Gambia

Prepared by Ebrima Dem

Background

The 10:10:10 Global Work Party in the Gambia was youth-led climate action

program geared toward raising awareness and lobbying policy makers for a

decisive and urgent to stop the climate crises. The program was in response to

350.org Global event to raise voice for climate justice worldwide.

Activities Prior to 10:10:10

Prior to the 10:10:10, we had series of meetings to discuss on how best we can

work together as youth to make sure the program is successful. A task force

committee comprising volunteers from Global Unification, Peace Corps and

Youth alliance were created. We engaged closely the ministry of forestry andenvironment and the Kanifing Municipal council. 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 turn out for

program due this media outreach.

We also wrote request letter for support to some companies and governments

departments. The response was not very good, but at least some came to our

assistance.

Activities during the 10:10:10

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

cleanup exercise and youth climate rally. The program took place at the Palma

Rima Beach, a renowned tourist destination in the Gambia.

The program began with Beach Clean Up exercise at 10 am in the morning. This

exercise was witness by the permanent secretary and Deputy Permanent

secretary at the ministry of forestry and environment. The participants were

drawn from school children, volunteers from the Peace Corps Office, members of

Global Unification-the Gambia, members of African Youth Initiative on climatechange, youth alliance-the Gambia and JaroumehKoto youth network among

others.

After the cleansing exercise, the rally started. It began with prayers in reflection

of our commitment to environment protection. Participants prayed to God for

change in behavior in support of mother earth. All participants prayed in their own


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way. After that, there were short drama on climate change perform by group of

children climate activists.

After the drama, the rally began proper with a welcoming 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. Healso highlighted the importance of youth participation in climate change

discussion.

Mr. Dems statement was followed by youth statement against climate change by

Mr. Joe Bongay of the Youth Alliance. His statement also highlighted the

importance of youth participation on climate change. He also talked about the

vulnerability of the Gambia to climate change citing the city of Banjul as better

example. This he said is shows beyond doubt that climate change is real and the

days of denying the science is over.

As soon as Mr. Bongay finished his statement, we had a short but inspiring

statement from Permanent secretary, Mr. Kebba Sonko, Ministry of Forestry and

Environment, who spoke on behalf of the minister, Hon. Jato Sillah. In his

statement, the permanent secretary explained the importance the Government

attaches to youth participation in national development, including climate change

discussion. He thus, expressed his sincere appreciation to youth of the Gambia

for coming up with such wonderful initiatives. He expressed his happiness about

the beach cleanup exercise, which he said apart from preventing plastic bags

into the sea will also boost the tourism industry in the Gambia.

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

groups. This is a group local young Drummers from Kartong village. The group

was accompanied to the event by Ms. Casey Donahue, a peace volunteers

residing the 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 bulletin.

Partnership

The 10:10:10 Global Work Party in the Gambia was organized by Global

Unification, a youth-led research and development association and Youth

alliance of the Gambia and in partnership with US Peace volunteers,

JaroumehKoto Youth organization, St. Thereses secondary school, Charles Jow

Secondary school among others.


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The event was supported by the ministry of forestry and environment, Kanifing

Municipal Council, Vision Development foundation and Banjul Breweries

Company ltd.

Challenges

Major challenges we encountered were:

1. Inadequate funding

2. Location of the venue. Some participants complain that venue was not

very accessible.

3. Preparation for event started late. Some volunteers complain of not having

enough time to mobilized more people to attend the program

Way forward

1. Search for alternative source of funding in our subsequent activities

2. Start early preparation

3. Involve more organization in the planning process

Our appreciation

We wish express our since appreciation to following for their support:

1. 350.org

2. Ministry of forestry and environment

3. Vision Development foundation

4. Kanifing Municipal council

5. Banjul Breweries

6. All volunteers

Snapshots at the event


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OFFICIAL BANNER OF THE GLOBAL WORK PARTY IN THE GAMBIA


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L-R. Casey, US peace corps Volunteer and Joe posing for a photo


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Young Climate justice advocates playing a drama at the 10/10/10 Global work

party


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Cross section of participants

Climate Justice Now.. Young people in the Took action against climate change


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Young People Dancing to local drums. The Global chorus for climate justice

(L-R)Participants from Us Peace Corps office and other young people at the

global work party


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Hon. Kebba Sonko , Permanent secretary, Ministry of forestry and

environment at the Global work party, giving a solidarity message for climate

justice

Yo

ung people posing with posters for climate action


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Mr. Ebrima Dem Global Unification Rep, Speaking to Journalist about 10:10:10

Global work Party


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L-R. Jalika keita and Fatoumatta Bah -time to say no action about without us


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Mr. Joe Bongay- chairman, Youth alliance, posing with posters flank by Musa

Mendy decisive and urgent action is needed to stop climate crises

Documents

Report on the Global Work party in the Gambia