Dear Daughters and Sons of Africa attending COPS is not a Do or Die

There is no need to attend the conferences physically anymore in this digital age. Our virtual platforms have opened up an unprecedented way for us to engage with everything happening all over the world. 

By Gatoya Victoria.

Seated in the comfort of my home watching COP 29 events on per-view platforms came across very disturbing circulating stories that Africans are starving at the conference because they can’t afford the price of Burge and Pizza in Baku Azerbaijan. 

The United Nations annually convenes world leaders and many different stakeholders among them are African climate activists who are often invited as observers in a passive role.

So many younger people from vulnerable backgrounds in Africa it has become fashion for them to attend COP even with very little knowledge about the role of COP. 

‘The news of young people starving is a litmus test for UNCCCF organizers to review accreditation processes and  whether it’s a must for them to desperately attend physically even without a significant contribution in the resolutions taken’

The world is going through unprecedented times with pressing environmental issues one cannot undermine the significance of the Conference of the Parties (COP) or otherwise. 

That said, African nations and their representatives need to understand that the real change will not come from showing up at these global meetings. On the contrary, investing in local initiatives and community engagement can have a major positive impact on both the environment and society.

The common narrative is that you make a difference by attending international conferences. However, this viewpoint ignores the fact that most individuals coming from abroad might not have practical experience in areas like environmental sustainability or waste disposal. 

Imagine someone who, say, has never planted a tree or done anything for their community. Having had experience organizing international conferences, critical scrutiny may be asked as to whether presenting at an international conference is a face value of credibility that reflects the contributions of common people or not.

What's more, it is a sad reality that most people present simply to spectate and not engage in the conversation. This passive attendance is not doing justice to the impact that African representation in these conferences could have. 

On top of that, we should also ask ourselves why a person who is unable to get food or sleep would even want to attend those events.

Some of our brothers and sisters have nowhere to sleep or go days with only a bottle of water, which might be free even. And that begs the most troubling question of all: could it be because we are being held back by systemic failures?

The path forward to resolving Africa's environmental challenges It is better to focus on local solutions than attend international gatherings, and actions are needed above proclamation. 

It has been the story of desperation to be visible on stage — it should now change into a grassroots-focused one. This type of approach not only makes it credible, also highlights the kind of innovative solutions being designed in African communities.

Also, when telling different story-bites on a world stage, we need to hold ourselves true in the stories that we present.

Onto a context to the African leaders or initiatives that we must explain in his universality which better shows how diverse and rich their contributions are.

There is no need to attend the conferences physically anymore in this digital age. Our virtual platforms have opened up an unprecedented way for us to engage with everything happening all over the world. 

Events at COP can be followed from the comfort of home, with live streams, reports, and resolutions posted by organizations like the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) allowing Africans to engage with the ideas discussed. 

Conferences do t have to be global also as a symptom of social media, X aka Twitter has been the perfect venue for instant updates and observations from these conferences allowing people to keep up with events without leaving their homes.

The innovation of blended engagement expands the potential for widespread involvement. Through the use of technology, we can raise our voices and bring attention to our experiences on a global stage without giving up our commitment to local work.

While these discussions around global climate are a small glimpse of the complications yet to come, let us remember that we all have our own homes. 

And, my fellow Africans charity begins at home, let your contributions towards environmental protection, conversation, and restoration start in your community. 

Be involved in local initiatives, promote sustainability practices, and tell the world about your experiences that way credible organisations will support you fully at future COP Events rather than struggling in a foreign land.

This way, we play a part in global efforts that encourage coming generations to resonate with their roots whilst putting in the time involved in doing something for their surroundings. 

By having local conversations (without delinking them from the global ones), we will be able to redefine what it means to be impactful. Hence, all these culminate in a sustainable future for Africa and beyond.

Gatoya Victoria is a Guild Speaker at Victoria University.