Island Innovation has announced the selection of 48 young people from across the region to take part in its 2024 Caribbean Climate Justice Leaders Academy (CCJLA). Following a strict application process that saw hundreds of applicants, the cohort features participants from every CARICOM nation, in addition to other territories.
The Programme is funded by the Open Society Foundations (OSF), the world’s largest private funder of independent groups working for justice, democratic governance, and human rights.
The Caribbean region faces unprecedented challenges due to climate change, including rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and ecological degradation. Set to start in June, the programme is aimed at building participants’ knowledge of environmental sustainability, climate resilience, international policies, and how they impact the Caribbean. A diverse array of expert speakers will deliver lectures to the cohort throughout the 5-month course.
Five exceptional participants will be selected to attend COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan with all expenses covered, the remainder of the cohort will take part in Island Innovation’s annual COP virtual pavilion, which covers the two-week event and the latest developments related to islands.
Speaking on their selection as part of the 2023 cohort that went to Dubai for COP28, Yemi Knight, a 2023 CCJLA member from Barbados said, “Attending COP28 was an eye-opening and awe-inspiring experience for me. The sheer magnitude of nearly 40 thousand people from diverse backgrounds coming together in one place with a shared purpose was incredibly powerful. Staying grounded in my values and aspirations while navigating the bustling atmosphere of COP allowed me to glean invaluable insights and connections. It reinforced the notion that despite the enormity of global challenges, collective action and shared determination can pave the way for meaningful progress.”