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By Joseph Titus Yekeryan
GBARNGA, Liberia-As climate change continues to threaten the planet’s future, the need for environmental awareness and action has never been more pressing. Across the globe, communities, policymakers, and organizations are coming together to combat the environmental crises of the 21st century. But at the heart of this movement lies a group often overlooked, the youth. Installing a deep sense of environmental responsibility among young people could be the key to building a sustainable future.
One organization leading the charge is Voice of Environment (VOE), a non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting environmental awareness, advocacy, and justice. Through innovative programs such as their recently organized inter-high school environmental debate and the upcoming Green School Initiative (GIS)
A New Generation of Environmental Advocates
Recently, VOE brought together hundreds of students from various high schools in Gbarnga and its environs for an inter-school environmental debate held under the theme: “Environmental Education and Awareness: Enhancing Youths’ Capacity to Promote Conservation and Sustainability.” The event, held at the William VS Tubman gymnasium, provided a platform for students to not only debate pressing environmental issues but also to propose solutions that could be implemented in their communities and schools.
The debate entered on the role of education in shaping the future of sustainability, with teams of students presenting powerful arguments on how environmental education empowers youth to become stewards of the planet. Debaters discussed how young people can take an active role in conservation and sustainability efforts through advocacy, education, and grassroots movements.
Emmanuel Korkollie, the Executive Director of VOE, spoke passionately about the importance of engaging young minds in environmental education, stating, “We have reached a point where it’s not just about conserving the environment for the future; it’s about empowering the leaders of tomorrow to protect and nurture the planet today. Youth are powerful change-makers, and with the right tools, they can lead us to a greener, more sustainable world.”
Korkollie also referenced the Conference of the Parties (COP), where world leaders consistently underscore the critical role of education in achieving long-term environmental goals. “The COP has consistently emphasized that ’empowering youth through education is essential to achieving global climate goals’,” Korkollie noted. “At VOE, we take that seriously, and this debate was a proof to the incredible potential of the next generation to drive meaningful change.”
Global Impact and Inspiration
The power of youth-driven environmental movements is already visible in various countries around the world. From Sweden’s Greta Thunberg and the Fridays for Future movement to young activists in Kenya and India pushing for climate justice, young people are becoming a central force in the global environmental movement. Research shows that when youth are empowered with the knowledge and tools to advocate for environmental protection, they can mobilize communities and influence policy change.
Korkollie noted, “Across the world, youth movements have sparked real, measurable change. From policy shifts to changes in consumption patterns, youth are demonstrating the transformative power of environmental education. What we’re doing here is laying the groundwork for a similar movement in our own region, one that can resonate globally.”
The Green School Initiative – GIS
As part of its commitment to fostering the next generation of environmental leaders, VOE is set to launch its Green School Initiative (GIS) later this month. The GIS is designed to train high school students to become Ambassadors of Environmental Rights and Justice in their communities. Through the program, students will receive specialized training in environmental advocacy, policy analysis, sustainable practices, and climate justice.
“GIS will empower students to become not just environmental advocates, but ambassadors, people who will take the message of sustainability beyond the classroom and into every corner of their communities,” Korkollie said. “The initiative is about creating a network of youth who are deeply informed and prepared to act as leaders in the fight for environmental justice.”
The Green School Initiative is also aimed at helping schools integrate environmental education into their curriculums and create environmentally-friendly campuses. By training students to understand the importance of biodiversity, waste management, renewable energy, and climate change, VOE hopes to inspire long-term sustainability practices at the grassroots level.
The GIS program will begin with a selected group of schools and will expand across the region as VOE works to establish partnerships with local and international organizations. The initiative will offer students’ opportunities to engage with environmental experts, participate in community-based sustainability projects, and advocate for green policies within their schools and local governments.
Korkollie remains hopeful about the future, stating, “The key to solving the climate crisis lies in the hands of young people. Through education, advocacy, and action, they can shape the policies and innovations that will define the future of our planet.”
The organization’s work comes at a crucial time when the world is facing unprecedented environmental challenges. The COP meetings have continually emphasized the importance of youth engagement, with many countries pledging to increase their support for youth-driven climate action.
As world leaders gather to discuss the future of the planet, Korkollie’s message rings clear: “It is not enough to speak about the future of the environment; we must act, and we must empower those who will inherit this world to protect it.”
Through events like the inter-school debate and the launch of GIS, VOE is helping to build a generation of young leaders who will carry the torch of environmental justice, armed with knowledge, passion, and the resolve to make a lasting impact.
As the debate concluded, students left not only with new perspectives on environmental issues but with a stronger commitment to lead the fight for sustainability in their schools, communities, and beyond.
Voice of Environment’s bold steps today may very well lay the foundation for the green leaders of tomorrow, driving the charge toward a more sustainable, just, and environmentally conscious future
