Caravan Chat - A POTATO COUNCIL WITH AMBITIOUS PLANS

'If you are talking about the African economy you are talking about Agriculture,'  Kevin Kinusu

'We cannot claim to have won, the purpose of UNFCCC COPs is not to emerge any group as a winner and another as a loser, but to facilitate the world to agree, and we had an agreement in Durban. Let’s focus on how the agreement can move as a mile in the struggle against Climate Change and its Impacts on our people'...Kevin Kinusu

Kevin Kinusu addressing a session during the just completed COP17. Courtesy of iisd.ca

Written on the 28th November 2011

Potato Council? That is the first thing l chorused when l first heard about the organization that Kevin Kinusu, the program officer represents. My next question was, ‘what does the Potato Council do?’ It turns out quite a lot. We sat for this interview at around 1am as we had some tea in Durban, South Africa. Yes, The Caravan reoriented our work times so that interviews could take place any time.

Genesis of The National Potato Council of Kenya

High Profile Actress Visits With The Caravanites

When it was announced that an actress from China was going to be part of those people who would visit and have a chat with caravanites, we didn’t know what to make of it. We had not heard her name before. So we waited. I waited. Eagerly. Seeing that l have done some acting back in Kenya. I wanted to meet her. And so she visited with us. Hai Qing is an Oxfam ambassador and travels the world creating awareness on various development issues.

That afternoon, outside the Howard dome at the University of Kwa Zulu Natal, we shared our experiences from across Africa. Hai heard about women in Zambia through Milus a woman farmer who was part of the caravan. She told of how the rural woman suffers because of lack of access of modern facilities. She urged Hai, ‘to send the message to the right people in China that they needed to cut emissions.’ A woman from Lesotho who l will call Mama Anna had a request. She requested Hai to let the leaders at the COP 17 know, ‘that the group knew they were talking on their behalf but could they ask us directly what we think since we can talk for ourselves.’

Caravan Dispatches - Farmers Wow At COP17

I have been debating for the last few hours or so whether to sit down and write this entry in the midst of drowsiness and fatigue. Don't forget sleepiness. Hmm! that is an English word seeing it didn't go underlined red at the bottom:-) Anyways,l have to tell you this even though it is a few minutes to middnight here in University of Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa.

Caravan Picture Speak - Bulawayo, Zimbabwe...A Spirited Dramatization of the Petition

This is Us

Here's How we Send Our Message

Here we go

Her Song, Their Song, Our Song

The above team is an award winning group that dramatizes messages. This time the group dramatized the Trans African Caravan of Hope Petition that is being presented to the incoming COP17 president, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane in South Africa.

The song they did stirred a number of emotions. At first, it was anger of what Africa is being subjected to and a little while later, eyes across the hall were getting teary and hands were reaching for handkerchiefs or Kleenex, It was moving.

Caravan Picture Speak - Tanzania's Loud and Clear Message

Drum Roll....

The Tanzania leg of the Caravan of Hope was marked with both celebration and sober reminders ahead of COP17 meeting in Durban, South Africa. Find the story at http://bit.ly/sD0fID Following is Tanzania's flag off in photos.

Tanzania Vice President Dr Mohamed Garib addressing the audience which included caravanites

Rebecca Muna, ForumCC Coordinating Team member speaking during the flag off function in Dar es Salam, Tanzania

Tanzania we are here!

Loud and Clear Message

Caravanites with their representative flags

House Speaker Flags Off The Caravan

Raising the Kenyan Flag high

By Maria Wanza

Kenya's house speaker  Hon Kenneth Marenda through his temporary speaker Prof Philip Kaloki  officially flagged off the Trans African Caravan of Hope  in Nairobi, Kenya yesterday. The colorful event was well attended by government officials who included Hon Wilbur Otichillo, who is part of the PANARECC, Parliamentary Network  on Renewable Energy and Climate Change, The Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, MEMR, Hon Ali Dawood Mohamed, civil society, women and youth groups. The flag off started as a procession from central park and made its way to Kenyatta International Conference Center,KICC and was led by a colorful prisons band who were followed by banner holding and branded tshirt wearing crowd. In his speech, the Hon Marende said that climate change is a challenge to economic growth and development as Kenya's economy relies heavily on natural endowments. Droughts, he said, those specifically of 1998 to 2000 had cost the country USD2.8 billion. This was as a result of forest fires, loss of crops and livestock, damage to fisheries, reduced hydro power generation, reduced industrial production and water supply. He noted that even though he was aware that adaptation was the most effective option for helping Africa, it was going to come at a cost.Adaptation, he added, would cost USD1 to 2billion per year by the year 2030. Africa's hopes and aspirations should be held high in South Africa, he said. Adding that the Trans African Caravan of Hope, should as they tell the African story on the impacts of climate change include, climate is now a justice issue.

Mr Isaac Kalua, Chairman Green Africa Foundation looks at the just signed petition as PS Ali Dawood and PACJA,Continental Coordinator , Mithika Mwenda,look on

On his part, PS Mohamed said that during an AMCEN meeting earlier this year, African ministers had a position which would be presented during  COP17 which in essence said that the west must take historical responsibility. He said,Durban  would not be easy but that Africa should be flexible and be ready to engage with partners. PACJA which is coordinating this huge awareness effort had its continental coordinator, Mithika Mwenda, present. In his speech he appreciated the efforts of Kenya Climate Change Working Group on awareness on climate change.He also pointed out that this event was a clear indication of the solidarity Africa is taking to Durban.

Participants get engaged
during the launch

During the event the KCCWG convener, John Kioli said that the demands of Africa were clear: to keep Africa and the world safe and prevent catastrophic climate change impacts, share the effort of curbing climate change fairly and ensuring polluters, not the poor, must pay. These demands are a summary of the Africa People Petition that PACJA and her partners are going to present to the incoming COP17 president Minister of International Relations and Cooperation South Africa, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane. The Caravan left for Dar es Salam Tanzania where a colorful flag off is expected.

Uganda's Vice President Flags Off Caravan of Hope ahead of COP17

By Maria Wanza

Uganda Vice President, Hon Ssekandi Edward Speaking During the Flag Off

Early this afternoon, His Excellency the Vice President of Uganda, Hon Edward Ssekandi graced the official flag off of the Trans African Caravan of Hope in Uganda which was held at the Makerere University. ‘The significance of the Caravan’s visit underscores the important position Uganda occupies in the promotion of environmental issues,” noted Hon Ssekandi in his opening remarks while speaking at the well attended activity organized by CAN Uganda.

The vice president, who is  a former two-term House Speaker and Lawyer, added that even though the government of Uganda had demonstrated a significant progress in issues of environmental management, more still needed to be done. The Vice president then handed the Ugandan flag to the Caravanites from Uganda trusting that the decisions to be made for Uganda would be for a good cause.

Loud and Clear Message

The meeting also saw Climate Action Network, CAN Uganda and Pan African Climate Justice Alliance, PACJA, present a joint statement where they urged governments at the COP17 end years of unacceptable uncertainty and   meet their moral historical, legal obligations, and commitment for action on climate change in accordance with the requirements of science and equity. Other demands included developed countries providing financial resources to address their climate debts, that global warming be kept well below the 1.5degrees Celsius point and that they halve their emissions by 2017. The Uganda government was particularly urged to take nationally appropriate mitigation actions.

This is what we want

During the meeting, Hon Mutebi, a former member of parliament sort to draw a picture of how dire the situation of climate change is. He said, 'Even if Africa planted trees and covered all its land, we will still not be able to handle the carbon emissions if the west doesn't stop polluting.' An even grimer picture was when he pointed out that the North Pole was in the next 10 years, in danger of losing a significant amount of ice. Mountains Rwenzori, Kenya, Kilimanjaro and Everest are already losing their ice caped figures.

Representing PACJA continental coordinator was John Bideri, who is one of the coalition’s steering committee members. During his speech he pointed out that the impacts of climate change in Africa are compounded by low adaptive capacity which he attached to inadequate finance and technical resources. Adding other issues compounding impacts of climate change were, ‘High levels of poverty, lack of awareness on the impacts, vulnerability and risks associated with climate change among others.’

Yes Sir, We Shall Be Heard

Mr Bideri urged that international action on climate change must address among others inter-related actions which include the need for a paradigm shift that supports strategies for achieving equitable development and the releasing of up to $30billion already committed by developed countries.

The Caravan now sets off for Kenya after kicking off in Burundi and later in Rwanda. Uganda was the third country on the list on its way to Durban, South Africa.

Trans African Caravan of Hope Visits Kabale, Uganda

It is a market day in Kabale, Uganda and the Trans African Caravan of Hope has come to town. On this market day the Caravanites have come to officially start the Ugandan chapter flag off of the Caravan. Kabale is a town in Western Uganda. 

On this day, Youth Plus Policy Network are in charge of the event. The caravanites did a march through town to the Kabale Municipal stadium. After the march the enthusiastic group sang 3 national anthems of  Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda as a sign of solidarity. Youth Plus officials then explained what the Caravan was about and afterwards over 300 signatures were collected by caravanites on this market day.

Iris Nagudi, one of the caravanites says of the signature collection event, ‘The people in the market were so easy to talk to and they eagerly signed on.’ Some of those in the market were farmers who requested as Iris put it, ‘Let the caravanites go and bring us solutions that have worked elsewhere. We want to learn to adapt.’ Iris works with Youth Plus Policy Network as a Programme Assistant and has been on the caravan since its kick off in Bujumbura, Burundi.

Muyambi Ellady is one of the Uganda Caravanites headed to Durban, South Africa.He is a social scientist,  toxicologist and secretary general of Uganda Network on Toxic Free Malaria Control - UNMETMAC. Muyambi tells me that Kabale district has been seriously affected by the impacts of climate change. ‘This  district used to be disease free but degradation of wetlands and destroying of forest covers has seen temperatures rise. A type of environment that now favors mosquito breeding.’ Consequently, he says, changes in climate have caused this place to experience more disease. A situation, he notes, that is increasing the disease burden in Africa. 

Not very long ago, Kabale was an area that was chilly and cool, that has drastically changed. This is confirmed by a Youth Plus Network participant, Colline Saabwe who adds, “There was never a mention of Malaria in Kabale. Malaria is now common in this area.”

Muyambi says that COP17 ‘must see world leaders held responsible in order for them to make commitments for a more healthy and educated community.’ The disease burden must dealt with he adds.

FACT SHEET - TRANS AFRICAN CARAVAN OF HOPE

What is the Trans African Caravan of Hope?

The Trans African Climate Caravan of Hope is a road show that will seek to galvanize the cross country stakeholder voices, with an ultimate aim of telling the African story while making known the demand of Africa among its inhabitants and the rest of the world. The Caravan is a huge mobilization and awareness creation opportunity for African civil society to highlight the challenges climate change poses to Africa’s efforts to extricate herself from poverty and attainment of Millennium Development Goals.

   What are the Main Objectives of the Caravan?

   ·    To mobilize and rally together African civil society towards a common advocacy and campaign demands on climate change and climate justice towards United Nations Framework Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC) – Conference of Parties (COP) 17;

·         To create awareness and build momentum towards UNFCCC- COP17 among African people and the rest of the world;

·         To lobby and pressurize African leaders/policy makers to work together in support of an international climate change treaty that is responsive to the continent’s realities and reality to science;

·         To drum up support for pro-people and just responses to climate change;

·         To share civil society (and African People’s Protocol) perspectives and positions on climate justice with influential political actors, including the African Heads of State.

Happened A few Hours Ago...Story Coming Up

Rebecca Muna, ForumCC coordinating team member, Latif Amars, Project Manager, ForumCC and Beatrice Kamugisha, Caravan Coordinator

The ForumCC – also known as the Tanzanian Civil Society Forum on Climate Change  today held a press conference to discuss the Trans African Caravan of Hope and UNFCCC-COP 17. ForumCC is an association of civil society organisations committed to work on climate change in their own programs as well as through advocacy.  It brings together development and environment organizations, those with technical skills and those with a more delivery and advocacy focus.  Below is a press release sent out by ForumCC. More details will be sent to you later.

Pomp and Color to Mark Kenya's Gala Night Caravan Flag Off

In the build up to the CoP 17 meeting in Durban, different countries are involved in in-country activities to welcome and flag off the Trans African caravan of Hope. The caravanites will be coming to Kenya on the 13^th -14^th November, 2011. They arrive in Nairobi in the wee hours of the 13^Th  November, 2011  morning and leave on 14^Th November, 2011 morning.
To this effect, the Kenya Climate Change Working Group, the Kenyan host of the caravan has activities lined up to ensure that the caravanites have a memorable event here in Nairobi. There will be various activities before the caravan gets to Kenya which will be culminated with a Gala night to flag off the caravan.

PRE-CARAVAN ACTIVITIES LEADING UP TO THE GALA NIGHT

Schools and Campus Petition Drive

In collaboration with the Green Africa Foundation(a KCCWG member and recently the 2011 MDG award winner in the category of Environmental conservation) , KCCWG will have a petition drive in schools that will seek to educate young people on issues of Climate Change, what the talks in Durban are critical for their survival, sensitize them on the caravan. There are also volunteers within PACJA that are carrying out petition drives within different campuses. They will create a social media event on face book in which campus students will sign the petition online.

Major Visibility for Caravan of Hope in Zambia

Map of Zambia

On TV and Radio

It is a few weeks to the official flag off of the Trans African Caravan of Hope, and Zambia has a truck load of awareness creating activities they are carrying out. First it is their weekly 2 Features on Climate Change and the Caravan Of Hope. This has been going on for the last two weeks. Noah Zimba, who is the lead in Zambia’s Climate Network was on Radio Phoenix last Friday during prime time talking about the Caravan. He and Chomba, an active member of the climate change network in Zambia, were on TV during the popular Kwacha Good Morning show last Saturday on the 15th October 2011 discussing the Caravan.

Media Workshop and Youth Conference Involvement

This week, the Trans African Caravan of Hope participants participated at the regional youth conference being held at Mulungushi Convention Center.
Thursday 20th and Friday 21st,is witnessing a closed door workshop with about 15 journalists. This Friday morning, the journalists will be taken to a forest reserve within Lusaka for a state visit. This particular reserve is a land grab issue. More details on this will be shared.

Fashion Show Engagement