On 13 June 2026, Climate YES (Youth Ecumenical Summit) Namibia hosted the Youth Voices for Climate Justice Workshop under the theme “Environmental Stewardship for a Sustainable and Just Future” at St Michael Anglican Church in Katutura, Windhoek. The workshop brought together 37 youth leaders from various church denominations committed to advancing climate justice, environmental stewardship, and sustainable development in Namibia.

The workshop commenced with an opening prayer and welcoming remarks by Ven. Joseph Hanghome, the priest-in-charge of St Michael church and Leader of Anglican Students Federation (ASF) followed by an introduction of participants by Ms. Keulukuwa Hanghome to Climate YES global and Climate YES Namibia movement, providing participants with insight into the movement’s mission of mobilising young people for climate justice.

A key highlight at the workshop was a panel discussion titled “Who controls food, land and water in Namibia, highlighting where the youth is positioned in decision-making and basic rights of the people to the God given basic resources needed for dignity and survival”. The panel featured Mr. Lethus Nkotongo an Environmental Management student and Climate Adaptation researcher currently researching indigenous knowledge systems and climate adaptation strategies in Tsumkwe; Ms. Yolandé Sabatta, Youth Coordinator at the Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN); and Mr. Penouua Kaoti, a climate and clean energy advocate pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation at the International University of Management (IUM).

In addition, participants benefited from a presentation on Loss and Damage: Climate Compensation, which highlighted the growing impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities and the importance of climate justice. The workshop also included group discussions on youth action for climate advocacy and movement building. Key outcomes included the call for churches to establish climate justice structures to lead by example, for Climate YES Namibia to build and strengthen partnerships with government, other Civil Society Organisations, businesses and schools, to expand climate awareness campaigns, and promote climate justice to tackle climate change with intergenerational conversations identified to start conversations on indigenous knowledge and it
importance to the current and future generations, work on a position paper addressing government on challenges faced by the youth because of climate change, planting trees and a cleaning campaign.

The participants emphasised meaningful collaboration and active participation to ensure that climate change is addressed “by young people for the young people”. Climate YES Namibia is thankful to Climate YES, the Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN), and St Michael Anglican church for making it possible for Climate YES Namibia to host the Youth for Climate Justice Workshop.