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The new generation program
The New Generation Program is an initiative of the Climate Leadership Initiative, designed to empower young negotiators from the Global South to champion climate action and drive equitable solutions for their countries, communities, and households. This inclusive program celebrates diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, building a new wave of leadership for a resilient and equitable world.
Effective Engagement in Climate Change Negotiations
Building on our extensive experience supporting negotiators from vulnerable developing countries, we have identified three critical drivers of success in climate negotiations:
Proficiency in key areas such as climate science, international law, climate finance, and political affairs, essential for informed and impactful engagement.
Mastery of communication, strategic networking, confidence, and partnership-building, all of which are pivotal for advancing negotiation positions and securing outcomes.
Emphasizing the importance of mental resilience and wellbeing to navigate the intense pressure of high-stakes negotiations and ensure sustained effectiveness.
Progress in our
program framework
Our program is delivered through a series of thematic workshops, coaching calls, and mentorship opportunities. Fellows are fully integrated into the climate negotiation process, where they benefit from the support of a dedicated network of mentors and actively contribute to collective efforts on climate issues, including Loss and Damage. Both the first and second cohorts, comprising 18 fellows in total, are currently engaged in negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Mentorship at COP29
We are now working with the third cohort, which includes eight fellows from Peru, Panama, Kenya, Samoa, Burundi, South Sudan, the Commonwealth of Dominica, and Guinea. These young negotiators were nominated by the Chairs of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), the Independent Association of Latin America and the Caribbean (AILAC), Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), and the African Group of Negotiators (AGN). Each fellow is paired with a senior mentor and supported to attend COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, where they will assist their respective delegations and gain invaluable first-hand experience as emerging climate negotiators.
The new generation: 3RD cohort
Meet our new generation Fellows
CLI is excited to announce the third cohort of the New Generation Program, starting this October. Nominated by the chairs of LDC, AGN, AOSIS, and AILAC, this group brings together young climate negotiators from some of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations. Through targeted training and mentorship, participants will develop practical skills for impactful climate action. As they prepare for COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, these young leaders are set to bring critical local perspectives and actionable solutions to the global stage.
Kevin Polo is an Environmental Engineer with a specialization in Climate Change and has over three years of experience in the environmental sector. Currently serving as a Climate Change Analyst in the Climate Change Directorate of the Ministry of Environment of Panama, he has led the coordination of the industrial processes and product use sector (IPPU) for the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory.
Ibrahima Barry has over 10 years of experience working with NGOs in the field of environmental protection. His focus areas include reducing carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy, and raising awareness within communities about sustainability. Passionate about combating climate change, Ibrahima is dedicated to driving impactful solutions through his involvement in various initiatives.
Ndayisaba Innocent is a civil engineer, currently employed at the Geographical Institute of Burundi in the Department of Hydrometeorology and Agrometeorology. Now, as a Young Leader of Change in the third cohort of the New Generation Fellowship, Innocent continues to actively contribute to shaping climate policies and driving sustainable solutions.
Asara Bullen Panchol, a communication and public relations expert in Eastern Africa, currently serves as a PR consultant at Hope Modern Firm. Passionate about environmental conservation, in 2019 she launched "Trees4Peace” A project that saw hundreds of seedlings planted in schools across South Sudan. Asara empowers women through income-generating activities, such as making fuel efficient stoves and briquettes for energy.
Nicc is pursuing a PhD in engineering focusing on energy transition for Samoa’s small islands. He serves as the Pacific Youth Coordinator for the Tide Turners Project, YOUNGO Energy contact point and a guest lecturer at the National University of Samoa. He's also a national youth focal point for Samoa at CHOGM and holds leadership roles in the Commonwealth Human Ecology Council and Samoa Conservation Society.
Jodie Jodian Luke
Jodie Luke is a Civil Law Attorney and Partner at PlatinumLaw Chambers in the Commonwealth of Dominica. Recognizing the severe impacts of hurricanes on her country and the Caribbean, she is expanding her expertise to contribute to climate negotiations, while also focusing on climate change legislation. Jodie is an Accredited Director with Risk Committee Certification, advocating for tailored solutions for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in global climate discussions.
Samira Ally
Samira Ally Abdi is a highly qualified Environmental Policy and Law professional with extensive experience in corporate law, Samira is now dedicated to advancing climate policy. She excels in coordinating and convening, bringing together diverse Civil Society Organizations across Africa and the Global South to foster alignment on shared stances and objectives within the climate space. Through her leadership, Samira works tirelessly to unite voices and drive collective action on critical climate issues.
Rogelio Campos
Rogelio Campos is an Environmental Engineer from the National Agrarian University La Molina, specializing in corporate environmental management and carbon markets. With more than five years of experience in GHG mitigation and carbon management, he currently works at the Ministry of Environment of Peru. In his role, he promotes the development of the carbon market and contributes to the negotiation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, advancing Peru’s climate strategies on a global scale.
The new generation: 2nd cohort
Meet our 2nd generation Fellows
In late 2023 we welcomed a second cohort of six young negotiators to the New Generation program. All six of these individuals follow Loss and Damage and are representing their countries at COP 28.
Filimone, from the Fiji Islands, plays a pivotal role in Climate Change Policy development and multilateral negotiations for the Fiji Government. His work emphasises adaptation and resilience building, with a strong focus on nature-based solutions and sustainable development, particularly for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Filimone is also deeply invested in exploring innovative and enabling financing mechanisms to support these crucial initiatives. His efforts are key in mitigating climate impacts in Fiji, offering valuable insights and strategies that can be applied to similar island nations. Through his dedication, Filimone is helping to shape a resilient and sustainable future for SIDS in the face of the global climate crisis.
Bruno is a proactive activist from Argentina with a passion for storytelling. He became interested in climate change and the environment at a very young age, and learnt how cruel the consequences of climate change can be in the worst possible way, when his city of La Plata flooded back in 2013, leaving dozens of deaths. In 2018 he started doing activism in the human rights agenda, focusing on sexual and reproductive rights and in 2021 he founded a chapter of Youth for Climate in his hometown. Since then, he's participated of several international and national events and campaigns on environment, climate and human rights such as the RCOY LAC 2021, The Escazú COP2, COP27, The global forum on human rights, the 7th workshop for the development of the GGA, and many other events. Besides this, he has a communication project on instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn and is part of Jóvenes por el Clima Argentina, the Global Youth Coalition and YOUNGO's Communication and Adaptation Working Groups.
Farhana Shukor is a Malaysian climate advocate and a co-founder of bumii, a Malaysian youth-led startup focusing on facilitating climate action. Her experience in a hard-to-abate industry coupled with her background in risk management and insurance informs her approach to finding climate solutions and navigating stakeholder engagements. She tracks loss and damage finance-related negotiations and issues, having attended UNFCCC’s COP26, COP27, and SB58.
Malek is a young climate negotiator and Sustainability Consultant with a strong academic background. She holds a Master's degree in Sustainability Management and Innovation from the University of Westminster. Additionally, Malek is a graduate of the 60th Graduate Study Program (GSP60) of the United Nations office in Geneva, where she furthered her expertise in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She is passionate about advocating for a future that is both environmentally responsible and socially equitable. Malek's guiding principle in life is encapsulated in her motto: "My dream is to live in a world where human rights and climate justice are not mere slogans." This reflects her dedication to a vision of a world where fundamental rights are respected, and environmental considerations are integrated into the fabric of daily life.
Hamira Kobusingye, a Ugandan climate justice activist and founder of Climate Justice Africa, is a key figure in advocating for sustainable development and gender equality in the climate change space. She focuses on the disproportionate impact of climate change on women, especially in frontline communities. Hamira leverages her strong social media presence to foster discussions on climate change and action. Her initiatives include skill-sharing programs empowering women climate activists and promoting eco-friendly briquettes in Uganda, creating sustainable incomes and reducing fossil fuel reliance. She also leads educational campaigns on climate impacts and advocates for issues like loss and damage, and climate debt. Hamira's efforts have gained international recognition, amplifying African voices in the climate crisis
Ana Nicolle Javier is a 22-year-old activist from the Dominican Republic. She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business from Universidad APEC. She was a finalist in the COP Operation Program Dominican Republic 2023 by The Climate Reality Project and enhanced her skills through Climate Negotiation Training at the Program On Negotiation at Harvard University. Ana's leadership extends to her role as Deputy Director of COP 26 within the XIII International Model of United Nations (MINUME), by the Ministry of Education. Currently, she serves as Project Assistant at the Global Green Growth Institute, contributing to green initiatives. Ana has been a Youth Consultant for the UNFPA Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) and actively volunteers in the Ministry of Education's Educational Leadership Program. As Vice-President of the Soy Ecológico Reciclo Foundation (SER), she focuses on ecological preservation and recycling. Notably, Ana was also a finalist for the National Youth Award for Preserving and Promoting Natural Resources in 2020.
The new generation: 1st cohort
Meet our 1st generation Fellows
In early 2020 we began working with a small cohort of five young negotiators which has grown to a cohort of 11 negotiators and one activist. These young climate leaders follow a range of issues from Action for Climate Empowerment, adaptation, agriculture, Article 6, climate finance, Loss and Damage, mitigation and transparency. They have all gone on to assume leadership roles within their organisations with some now fully integrated into the core teams of negotiating groups. Many are now peer mentors to the second cohort of fellows.
Honorine is a climate leader and actively involved in climate negotiations since 2021. She is a 2021 climate ambassador of Global Youth Climate Network; an Initiative of the World Bank Group’s Youth2Youth community. Honorine is a member of the first cohort of the New Generation and a co-coordinator of the second cohort. She is very driven and her commitment to finding and offering solutions to communities’ problems with a focus on environmental sustainability and youth empowerment.
Hyacinthe Niyitegeka is a water scientist and climate negotiator with experience in the fields of Loss and Damage and climate policy in general. Currently, she serves as the office manager for the CLI, where she plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of the office and core team as well as fostering a positive work environment. In addition to her managerial duties, Hyacinthe contributes to the development of strategies and guidelines that direct the CLI’s initiatives. Additionally, Hyacinthe serves as coordinator of the Loss and Damage Collaboration (L&DC).
Brenda Mwale is a climate change advocate with extensive knowledge and experience in international climate action, focusing on youth and gender mainstreaming. She serves as a Loss and Damage negotiator for Malawi and is a part of the Loss and Damage Collaboration as the Finance Working Group Coordinator. Currently, she is the Climate Diplomacy Advisor supporting the LDC Chair. Brenda also provides mentorship to the fellows of the third cohort of the New Generation Program.
Olivier is a dedicated environmentalist from Rwanda with a background in Water and Environmental Engineering. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at The Green Protector, a youth-led NGO, and as Co-coordinator of the Article 6 team for the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group. Olivier began his journey in climate diplomacy at COP26 in 2021 as a junior negotiator on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, advocating for equitable and transparent carbon markets. Since then, he has represented Rwanda and the LDC Group, focusing on amplifying the voices of communities most vulnerable to climate impacts and advancing climate justice. Olivier mentors fellows in the third cohort of the New Generation Program.
Isingizwe Sandra is a Rwandan female holding a Bachelor's degree in Water and Environmental Engineering. She is part of a youth-led NGO, The Green Protector as the the coordinator of the environmental education office, involving communities especially youth in climate change issues; learning from each other, finding solutions adaptable to our lifestyles, and sharing the right fundamental keys to protect our common home, she is part of the Loss and Damage Youth Coalition’s training working group sharing knowledge about loss and damage, know and understand what it is. She is a young negotiator following Action for Climate Empowerment(ACE) and transparency. She has been part of The New Generation since 2021, a group of young negotiators strengthening their skills and knowledge on climate change negotiations.
Prakriti Koirala is a climate researcher from Nepal with a Master’s in Environmental Science. She is a Senior Researcher at Clim Adapt and Program Coordinator for Building Women’s Climate and Disaster Resilience by Strengthening Climate Smart Villages for Gender-responsive Climate and DRR Actions. Prakriti is also a lead coordinator in Oxford Policy Management Nepal in the Climate Ambitions Support Alliance (CASA) project supporting the Government of Nepal and key stakeholders in advancing the mountain and climate change agenda. She follows climate negotiations on Loss and Damage and serves as Youth Coordinator for the Least Developed Countries (LDC) group, advocating for the resilience of vulnerable communities.
Alpha is a mining engineer with a focus on environment and occupational health and safety in the workplace. He is certified in impact investment, public management, civic leadership and entrepreneurship. In his role managing projects focuses on environmental impact assessment and conservation. Currently he is Associate Partner and Project Manager for Greendeveeve Sarl and is also the Executive Director of Greentransformation2050, which focuses on ensuring environmental integrity and sustainable development in light of climate change. Alpha began following the UNFCCC process in 2022 and focuses on Loss and Damage.
Adeline holds a bachelor's degree in Water and Environmental Engineering. She coordinates the storytelling working group within the Loss and Damage Youth Coalition. Working closely with frontline communities, Adeline amplifies their narratives to ignite advocacy for transformative change. Since 2022, Adeline has actively followed climate negotiations, focusing on climate finance.Adeline provides mentorship to fellows in the third cohort of the New Generation Program.
Justina is an environmental and sustainability specialist with over five years of experience in shaping environmental policy under the Montreal Protocol. She has collaborated with UNEP and UNDP to phase out harmful substances and enhance climate resilience. Since 2019, Justina has been actively involved in climate change negotiations, focusing on Loss and Damage issues. As a founding member of the New Generation Program, she coordinated its second cohort and now serves as the communications lead.