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Inspired by Sweden's Greta Thunberg, Nakate began her climate
action in 2019 and has since founded the Rise Up Movement and
addressed global climate summits.
"This role with UNICEF will provide me with more opportunities
to meet children and young people in the places most affected by
climate change and an expanded platform to advocate on their
behalf," Nakate said.
Last week, Nakate travelled to northwest Kenya to see the impact
of the worst drought in the Horn of Africa in more than 40
years. She met with communities on the frontlines of the climate
crisis, including children being treated for acute malnutrition
and families using solar-powered water systems.
UNICEF says nearly half the world's 2.2 billion children live in
one of the 33 countries it classifies as at "extremely
high-risk" of the impacts of climate change. The top ten
countries are all in Africa.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said she hopes
Nakate's appointment "will help ensure that the voices of
children and young people are never cut out of the conversation
on climate change – and always included in decisions that affect
their lives."
(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
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