”Protecting Nature Today, Securing Our Future Tomorrow ” GSI Founder Melese Alemayehu
Hawassa, Sidama Region — On the occasion of International Youth Day, Mr. Melese Alemayehu, Founder and Executive Director of Gudumale Sustainability Initiative (GSI), shared a powerful message on the responsibility of young people to protect the environment and build a climate-resilient future.
As a panelist at the International Youth Day celebration in Sidama Region, Mr. Melese emphasized that environmental conservation is not only the responsibility of governments and environmental organizations—it is a shared responsibility that requires meaningful youth participation.
“When we protect nature, we protect life, livelihoods and the future of generations to come.”
He highlighted the importance of protecting forests, restoring degraded ecosystems, reducing pollution, conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable use of natural resources as essential actions for addressing the growing impacts of climate change.
Mr. Melese also stressed the connection between community-based environmental action and global climate negotiations:
The celebration brought together young people, government representatives, youth-led organizations, civil society actors and development partners. It featured a panel discussion on key youth priorities, tree planting and environmental protection activities, and an evening cultural program.
The event was organized by the Sidama Region Youth Association, AfriYAN Ethiopia, Youth and Cultural Development Foundation, and Sidama Region Youth and Adolescent Health Council, with Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI), Tamra Community Development Organization, and TIKO as co-organizers.Through his leadership at Gudumale Sustainability Initiative, Mr. Melese Alemayehu continues to advocate for environmental conservation, ecosystem restoration, climate action and youth-led environmental leadership, reinforcing the message that a sustainable future depends on what today’s generation chooses to protect.
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