Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CISONECC) has encouraged children in the country to take part in environmental related activities if the country is to reduce climate change challenges.
Monitoring and Evaluation Manager for CISONECC, Chimwemwe Kapichi, made the remarks on Monday during a training session on climate change advocacy for children at Mlambe Primary School in Sub Traditional Authority (T/A) Kasakula and Kansonga Primary School in T/A Malenga in Ntchisi.
He said children should be allowed to participate in such activities in order for them to take part in mitigating the impacts of climate change.
“Our organisation wants children to have a voice in the communities where they are coming from if they discover that something wrong is happening, more specifically to do with environment. We hope and believe that these children will be able to speak their mind to people in their areas.
“We have seen changes happening where children have spoken and teaching them climate change related issues at this age will help them to be able to apply in real life what they are learning,” said Kapichi.
One of the children who attended the training, Ulunji Magawa, said he will put to use what he has learnt and will be able to teach fellow learners at Kansonga Primary School where he attends classes.
“I will also be able to teach people at home the disadvantages of misusing the environment and I believe that come the next rainy season, we will be able to plant more trees,” he explained.
The training was part of the capacity strengthening programme funded by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) through Save the Children International in Malawi.