UNICEF Press Statement
TUI Junior Academy project supports the Clean Green Zimbabwe Initiative to empower children as change agents on climate and environment in their communities
Harare, 8 March 2024 – TUI Care Foundation and Dutch National Committee for UNICEF have signed an agreement around the TUI Junior Academy project to support environmental education in schools as part of kick-starting the Clean Green Zimbabwe programme which was recently launched by the Minister of Environment at the COP28 in Dubai.
The world today continues to grapple with climate change, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss.
In this triple planet crisis, children and young people are the most affected, yet they contribute the least to the situation.
“Urgent action is therefore required to reduce the impacts of climate change, and environmental crisis on children, allowing them to realize their potential and fulfil their rights,” said Dr Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEF Representative in Zimbabwe.
To respond to the needs of children and to protect them from the consequences of climate change, the Government of Zimbabwe, led by the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, with the support of UNICEF Zimbabwe, has developed the Clean Green Zimbabwe Initiative.
The programme aims to harness the power of children and young people as environmental stewards and change agents in communities and schools, while providing climate resilient services to allow them to survive, develop and thrive in a safe and clean environment.
Through the TUI Junior Academy project TUI Care Foundation has decided to support the kick start of the Clean Green programme in Zimbabwe.
“Children and young people can play a pivotal role in conserving nature and wildlife when they are empowered to become ambassadors for a healthy and sustainable environment.
This is at the core of the TUI Care Foundation’s Junior Academy Programme, which enables youngsters to safeguard nature and wildlife whilst also raising awareness about the splendour and vulnerability of the natural world,” said Alexander Panczuk, Executive Director of TUI Care Foundation.
Environment protection and Climate resilience are one of the key priorities in the Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy (NDS1). Greening schools, communities and cities are key to achieving these goals, and to protecting the rights of children and their communities to clean air, nutritious food, secure water, and a healthy and safe environment.
“By investing in our environment, we are investing in the future of our Nation.”
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