The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) is implementing a YRE project in partnership with the City of Cape Town. This partnership has seen 60 vibrant young reporters from 5 high schools in Cape Town capacitated to identify action-centred projects. On 27 July 2022, these young reporters were part of the Climate Advocacy and Diplomacy Workshop held at the Cape Town City Hall. At the workshop, WESSA facilitators took the young reporters through the tools and techniques to incorporate advocacy to their YRE framework and action projects and how to foster youth participation in advocating for the climate emergency. The young reporters, through the YRE framework, dissected several environmental and social challenges plaquing their local communities including Human Waste Management, Informal Settlements, Coal-Powered Energy and Unhealthy Oceans amongst other challenges.

The workshop was graced by the presence of City of Cape Town Deputy Mayor, Alderman Eddie Andrews. The Deputy Mayor spoke passionately about the importance of youth involvement in becoming solution-drivers in their communities and that the YRE programme not only elevates youth voices, but it also gives youth an opportunity to play an important role in their communities.

The programme will culminate with a showcasing event where the young reporters will showcase their projects in November at the Youth Parliament in Cape Town.