Call for Submissions to the First-Ever Top 100 Young African Conservation Leaders List

NAIROBI, KENYA /// News Advisory /// Nature is one of our most significant heritages, and youth are the best drivers on the continent to ensure this heritage thrives for generations to come. As we celebrate International Youth Day 2020 on August 12, 2020, we recognize the efforts made by youth activists among Africa to protect and restore outstanding African biodiversity.

During this year’s International Youth Day, we are calling African youth to share with us their conservation success stories in order to inspire and tell the world how African youth are shifting from business as usual and are taking action to protect African ecosystems and the people who depend on them.

As part of a commitment to strive toward a people-centered and nature positive African continent, the Africa Alliance of YMCAs, African Wildlife Foundation, World Organization of the Scout Movement, Africa Region, and WWF have come together in this collaborative initiative that aims to recognize the first Top 100 list of African young conservation leaders, that will be released on November 1, 2020 as we commemorate the African Youth Day.

This list will unveil the new generation of conservation leaders that will shape Africa’s political, economic, and social landscapes in the upcoming years, becoming the leading light for the sustainable development of the continent. By elevating their profiles, the consortium will enable the top 100 young leaders to share their experiences in conservation with new audiences and rally more African youth to take up active roles for protecting nature.

We call upon youth networks and conservation organizations to submit the profiles of young African leaders under the age of 35 who have been actively involved over the last three years in impactful conservation work at community, national, or international levels in Africa.

More information on the eligibility criteria and the nomination form can be found here: https://bit.ly/2PLc7Bi

For any media queries kindly email top100conservationist@gmail.com  

About Africa Alliance of YMCAs

The Africa Alliance of YMCAs (www.africaymca.org) is the umbrella body of YMCA National Movements in Africa.  Together with our member YMCAs in 20 countries in Africa, we work to empower young African men and women with voice space and ability to influence the holistic transformation of their communities, nation and the continent.

About African Wildlife Foundation

The African Wildlife Foundation is the primary advocate for the protection of wildlife and wild lands as an essential part of a modern and prosperous Africa. Founded in 1961 to focus on Africa’s conservation needs, we articulate a uniquely African vision, bridge science and public policy, and demonstrate the benefits of conservation to ensure the survival of the continent’s wildlife and wild lands.

About World Organization of the Scout Movement

Scouting is the world’s leading educational youth movement engaging 54 million young people, adult leaders and volunteers in 224 countries and territories worldwide. As a growing Movement, Scouting is deeply embedded in local communities, responding to the diverse needs and aspirations of young people. Since its founding in 1907, Scouting has engaged young people in transformative education, training and learning opportunities. Scouting offers young people a unique non-formal educational experience that directly contributes to their growth and development. Find out more on scout.org.

About WWF

WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries and territories. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. Visit https://africa.panda.org/ for the latest news about WWF in Africa and follow us on Facebook or Twitter.