Two international students studying at the GITAM (Deemed to be University) are set to attend the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – COP27, in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt from November 6-18.

The annual gathering on climate action is attended by Heads of State, ministers, and negotiators, along with climate activists, mayors, civil society representatives and CEOs. They will participate in the youth pavilion and various sessions, including one on how young people can use technology to reduce the negative effects of climate change.

Students, Njili Ireline Mercy Mbinoh (23) — a second-year student of B. Com (Hons), at the GITAM School of Business — and Fokou Ngoumo Hilux (18) — a second-year student of BCA at the GITAM School of Science, both from Cameroon, Africa would attend the event.

These students have been chosen by the UN to represent different organizations including MIFALI, an adolescent-led movement in Cameroon with the support of Women for a Change, Cameroon and GenEgaliteECCAS. As youth leaders, they work with young people on themes including adolescent leadership, gender equality, and climate change actions in local communities.

“I am passionate about quality education, gender equality, affordable and clean energy, and climate action. Young people contribute very little to the rising climatic crisis but we are disproportionately more affected. If the voices and ideas of young people are taken into consideration to solve the global issues of climate change, we will go a long way to achieve a clean and sustainable planet,” said Fokou, who is currently working on a project of developing a self-powered treadmill capable of producing its own energy.

“This will greatly contribute to the reduction of energy wasted by electric treadmills and help in reducing pollution),” he added.

“Young people are critical and essential to this fight against climate change. I feel excited to attend this conference because it is a safe space for me to speak for myself and my peers. I come from a community where parents will send the boy child to school and the girls will either get married or start selling on the street to support family finances. I am striving to make a difference and do my bit to alleviate gender discrimination,” says Njili.

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