Fatou Jeng

Biography

Fatou Jeng is a youth climate activist from the Gambia, focused on education, conservation and planting trees.[1][2][3] In March 2023, the United Nations' Secretary-General announced Fatou and 6 others as members of his Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change to provide him with practical and outcome-focused advice, diverse youth perspectives and concrete recommendations, with a clear focus on accelerating the implementation of his climate action agenda. [4] She is internationally recognized as an organizer of youth climate action in the country, including hosting the National Youth Conference on Climate Change,[1][5] country coordinator and global board member for Plant-for-the-Planet,[6][7] and a Friday for Future organizer.[8] She also has served as a moderator, speaker, and resource person for several national and international programs on climate change including COP23 and COP24, the Global Landscapes Forum's 2018 Bonn conference, Action for Climate Empowerment Youth Forum 2018, and many more international engagements.

Jeng also founded the youth lead and non-profit organization Clean Earth Gambia. The goal of the organization is to create awareness about issues concerning the environment, most importantly climate change. As well as work to teach and train more than 500 school children about climate change as well as environmental issues to local communities.[9]

In 2019, for the first ever UNFCC YOUNGO, the youth delegation to the Climate Negotiations, she was one of thirty people selected.[10] At the United Nations convention she was a driving force for policy submission on gender and climate change as well as the policy operation lead for Women and Gender. Also in 2019, she helped facilitate youth engagement during Africa Climate week.[11]

She was the QTV Youth Dialogue Gambian Youth of the Month in June 2019 for her climate change advocacy,[12] and described by Whatson Gambia as one of the 30 most influential young Gambians.[13] The UN Country Office in her home country, the Gambia described her as a "trailblazing youth climate activist and a driving force for policy submissions on gender and climate change"[14]

"Women play fundamental roles in local food systems and are carers and activists, which make them uniquely placed to drive longer term climate resilience." Fatou's advocacy for gender inclusion in climate action was pivotal to UK £165 million funding to advance gender equality in climate action, which COP27's President Alok Sharma announced[15] in November 2021.

In 2021, She was recognized as one of the Top 100 Young African Conservation Leaders by the African Alliance of YMCAs, the African Wildlife Fund, and a collection of many more international non-profit organizations. She has been featured in interviews by the UNFCCC,[16] BBC, DW

Personal life

Jeng was a student at the University of the Gambia, and was the first female president of the university's student union.[13][17][18] And graduated from the University of Sussex where she obtained a master's degree in environment, development, and policy.

She is married to Adama Njie and together they have a son, Muhammed A. Njie.

References
  1. "'We, too, want to be heard,' young African climate champions cry out". The East African. 5 July 2020. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
  2. "Fridays for Future: Can they keep the pressure up? | DW | 20.08.2020". DW.COM. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
  3. "Environmental and Climate activist round the world today mark Earth Day demonstrate". ptvGambia. Apr 22, 2020.
  4. Nations, United. "The Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change". United Nations. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  5. "Gambian Young People Host Road to Nairobi Temperature Check with UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Natalia Kanem". UNFPA Gambia. 2019-08-14. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
  6. "Gambian youth take the lead in tree planting initiatives". DIRAJ. 2020-06-05. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
  7. "Climate Action Studio SB48: Fatou Jeng final, Plant for the Planet initiative, Gambia". UNFCCC Climate Action Studio.
  8. Foundation, Thomson Reuters. "We won't let your money destroy our future". news.trust.org. Retrieved 2020-08-26. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  9. "Meet the eight African women shaping the future of the continent". Landscape News. 2021-05-25. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
  10. "SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts" (PDF). Proceedings 8th Economic and Social Council Youth Forum.
  11. "Know More About The First Female President Of The University of the Gambia. | Afrinity Productions". 2020-10-07. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  12. "YOUTH DIALOGUE 12.06.19". QTV Gambia.
  13. Saja. "The 30 most influential young Gambians of 2019". www.whatson-gambia.com. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
  14. "From the Streets of Banjul to The Frontlines of COP26 | United Nations in The Gambia". gambia.un.org. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  15. "UK boost to advance gender equality in climate action". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  16. Climate Action Studio SB48: Fatou Jeng final, Plant for the Planet initiative, Gambia, retrieved 2023-03-17
  17. "Gambian Women: Role models for fruitful and equal opportunities | Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK". Retrieved 2020-08-26.
  18. "UTG Elects 1st Female President". The Digest. 2018-03-30. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
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