MY REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL

Liz Kiambi

Kenyan conservationist and former lead of the African Wildlife Foundation Youth Programme.

For decades, conservation in Africa has been viewed as a cause for western people. However, this perspective is rapidly changing among African communities, who are recognising wildlife and the environment as fundamental parts of their identities and livelihoods, and understanding that they need to be protected. Young people are at the forefront of this movement. Over the past 10 years, there has been an increase in youth participation in conservation initiatives – including demonstrating their role in economic development. I