By Nasratu Kargbo
Due to the impact of climate change on the country and the world at large, ChildFund’s Climate Ambassador and National Welfare Person for Children’s Forum Network (CFN) Philipa Cride-Dole has called on stakeholders in the education sector to ensure that climate change is included in the school curriculum as a subject.
Cride-Dole made this call at a press conference on the 1st of December 2023 where she revealed that with support from ChildFund, she and a colleague named Saffiatu Kamara will be representing other Sierra Leonean Children in this year's COP28 conference at the United Arab Emirate (UAE).
When asked how her representation would help children in the country, the Ambassador explained that she would add her voice to solutions to the menace. Highlighting some of the solutions, she said they believe that adding Climate Change as a subject will help in educating children about their environment and the impact of climate change.
She said: "Our nation's history cannot be complete without mentioning the climate change impact we have had to endure, including the August 14, 2017 mudslide which resulted in the deaths of hundreds and displaced dozens, including children.” She explained that such an incident should serve as a reason for action to prevent and protect the environment.
According to the Ambassador, ChildFund has been very active in the area of climate change and its impact mitigations on society, highlighting that in August this year, they sponsored her trip to Nairobi where she participated in the Africa Climate Summit’s side event for children. She further explained that she now has another opportunity to articulate the country’s climate issues on a bigger platform.
Cride-Dole said she might be allowed to partake in the panel discussion on how climate issues affect nations, with an emphasis on children. She assured Sierra Leoneans that she will continue adding her voice to advocate on issues of climate change that affect children's well-being.
When asked how children in the provinces will benefit, she said that CFN will be organizing workshops to educate those in the provinces on the impact of climate change.
She heaped praises on ChildFund, explaining that she had no idea about climate change, but that with the opportunities they have given to her, she can now speak on issues relating to the topic.
ChildFund will be sponsoring Cride-Dole and Saffiatu Kamara to participate in the COP28 event in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The COP28 started on 30th November and will end on 12th December at the Expo City in Dubai, where leaders will be discussing climate change issues.
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