CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR THE CLIMATE GOVERNANCE, DIPLOMACY AND NEGOTIATIONS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM COHORT XXII.
INTRODUCTION
Climate change presents one of the greatest threats to sustainable development globally. Its widespread and unprecedented impacts continue to affect lives, livelihoods, ecosystems, economies and development pathways across the world. In Africa, these impacts disproportionately burden the poorest and most vulnerable populations, including women, youth and marginalized communities, many of whom are already at the frontline of climate risks.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), its Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement remain central to the global policy response to climate change. Decisions made under these processes continue to shape the direction of climate action, finance, adaptation, mitigation, loss and damage, and implementation support. For Africa, effective participation in these processes is essential to ensure that the continent’s priorities, realities and development aspirations are adequately reflected in global climate decisions.
The African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES) through the Jael Vike Climate Change Training Institute (JVCCTI) continues to implement the Climate Governance, Diplomacy and Negotiations Leadership Program (CLP) as part of its contribution to strengthening Africa’s engagement in climate governance and negotiations. With the evolving nature of the global climate regime, the increasing complexity of negotiations, and the urgent need to translate global decisions into action, there remains a continued need to build and sustain continental capacity, especially among current and emerging African climate leaders, including women and youth.
OBJECTIVE AND EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
The overall objective of the programme is to build and strengthen African climate leaders by enhancing their knowledge, leadership capacity and negotiation skills, enabling them to engage effectively in international climate change policy discourse and contribute to the successful implementation of climate actions at regional, national and sub-national levels. The programme aims to strengthen African climate leadership by supporting current and emerging leaders from diverse backgrounds, with particular emphasis on women and youth.
By the end of the programme, participants will be able to:
- Explain the physical science basis of climate change, its implications for Africa, and the role of IPCC processes in informing climate policy and decision-making.
- Apply climate leadership and communication skills to engage diverse stakeholders, communicate climate issues effectively, and support inclusive climate action.
- Analyse the structure, institutions, actors and procedures of the UNFCCC process, including the roles of the COP, CMA, CMP, Subsidiary Bodies, constituted bodies and negotiating groups.
- Demonstrate practical negotiation skills, including preparing for negotiations, engaging in negotiation processes, interpreting negotiating text, and using brackets.
TARGET GROUP
The programme targets African professionals, practitioners and emerging leaders working in climate change, environment, sustainable development, governance, diplomacy and related fields. Eligible applicants include:
- Policy and decision-makers using climate science and responsible for developing and implementing national and sub-national climate policies, programmes and projects;
- Climate scientists and professionals working in think tanks, universities, research institutions and academia;
- Climate change negotiators, diplomats and government officials involved in national, regional and international climate processes;
- Representatives of international and intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, youth-led organizations, women-led organizations and the private sector working in climate change and environment;
- Jurists and legal practitioners involved in climate change, environmental governance and climate justice; and
- Emerging climate leaders, including young professionals and early-career practitioners seeking to strengthen their contribution to Africa’s climate agenda.
APPLICATION
Interested and eligible applicants are invited to submit their applications for consideration. Applicants should demonstrate interest or experience in climate change, governance, diplomacy, negotiations, climate policy, climate science, environmental governance, sustainable development or related fields.
Women leaders, youth leaders and early-career climate professionals are especially encouraged to apply.