On Monday, April 23, 2023, over 30 participants gathered for a workshop hosted by the Phoenix Children Foundation to discuss the intersection of energy democracy and climate education in Uganda.
The foundation, a community non-profit organization established in 2021, aims to advance children’s rights and promote their well-being through education, advocacy, and support.
During the workshop, founder Darren Namatovu emphasized the importance of energy democracy in achieving equitable and participatory distribution of energy resources and benefits.
She explained that energy is essential for social and economic development, but millions of people in Uganda still lack access to reliable and affordable electricity.
“The World Bank reported that only 26.7% of the population had access to electricity in 2019, forcing many Ugandans to rely on traditional biomass fuels with negative impacts on health, the environment, and livelihoods,” Namatovu said. “Energy democracy is a concept that advocates for a more equitable and participatory distribution of energy resources and benefits, it empowers communities to have a say,” she added.
The workshop aimed to train youth climate activists, journalists, and educators on how to integrate climate change into their teaching methods and practices.
East African Community youth ambassador, Edgar Mutungisa, also highlighted the crucial role of journalists in creating awareness, researching, fact-checking, and reporting on both sides of the energy transition.
Mutungisa asked participants whether energy democracy is achievable, given the different political, social and economic aspects that might hinder its aspects.
“Energy democracy is all about redistributing power to the people in the transition process, do you think that this is achievable?,” he asked.
Founder Namatovu expressed her commitment to promoting a sustainable future for all and providing every child with the opportunity to live a happy and healthy life and encouraged the participants to do the same.
“By empowering communities and the next generation of climate leaders, the Phoenix Children Foundation hopes to advance their mission and promote children’s rights in Uganda and beyond,” she said.
Follow Climate Post for more updates on the foundation’s initiatives and their impact on the community.
