This effort is also part of the “We Have Faith Act Now Campaign” that is being spearheaded by AAYMCA together with other faith-based partners to mobilise people all over Africa for climate justice ahead of the UN summit on climate change (COP 17) in Durban, South Africa, in December. Other local partners supporting the campaign include Norwegian Church Aid and Kenya Youth Climate Network, among others.

The African Alliance of YMCAs is endorsing two other similar initiatives spearheaded by young people. The first, Cyclists for Trees – an initiative led by young people from Kenya's Western province who are currently riding from Kakamega to Nairobi to raise funds to plant one million trees at Kakamega Forest. The second initiative is the “I am the Humming Bird Campaign” an online initiative to plant 10 Million trees in Kenya in memory of the late Prof. Maathai.

“It is encouraging to see young people in Kenya and Africa taking up the mantle and challenge from the late Prof. Maathai. We need to increase the forest cover in Africa through such inspiring initiatives,” said Carlos Sanvee, the General Secretary, AAYMCA.

The cyclists will plant trees in the  major towns on their route as well collect signatures for a petition for action in readiness for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 17),scheduled to take place in Durban, South Africa from 28th  November to 9th December 2011.

The climax of all these efforts is the flagging off of a caravan of young people who will travel to Durban across several African countries collecting petitions in readiness to the climate change conference that will be held in Durban.

Additional Information :

Follow the Youth Caravan’s activities and updates, on Twitter on @YMCA_Africa, @havefaithactnow or the Hash tag #COP17Caravan