On Sunday evening, 26 April, as the sun was setting over Nairobi and Lisbon, educators, youth leaders, and changemakers gathered online for a meaningful Teachers4SDGs Zoom session titled Faith, Hope, and Climate — Empowering the Next Generation. What unfolded was more than just a webinar; it became a space for connection, inspiration, and collective reflection on the role education and faith can play in shaping a more sustainable future.
The session brought together members of the Teachers4SDGs cohort to explore how climate action can be rooted in hope, values, and community engagement. Throughout the evening, participants were introduced to practical tools, creative approaches, and real-world examples that could be adapted for classrooms, faith communities, and local initiatives. The focus was not only on understanding the climate crisis, but also on empowering young people to become active agents of change within their own contexts.
The programme opened with warm welcome remarks by Georgia Gleoudi from The International Dialogue Centre – KAICIID, setting the tone for an evening centered on dialogue, learning, and shared responsibility. From the very beginning, there was a strong sense that this was not simply a lecture, but a conversation about hope, action, and the future generations educators are helping to shape.
One of the highlights of the evening was the contribution of our guest speaker, Nancy Barisoa, whose story and work deeply resonated with participants. During her presentation, Nancy shared powerful reflections on youth leadership, climate justice, and the importance of faith and community in driving sustainable change.
Speaking from her experience as a software engineer, climate advocate, and gender equality champion from Madagascar, Nancy highlighted the realities many young people face across Africa while also emphasizing the extraordinary potential of youth-led solutions. For more than six years, she has worked alongside young people and communities, empowering them to take action on climate and social issues. She is the founder of the EcoShe Project, an award-winning climate justice initiative, and creator of the Tanora Revolution Podcast, a platform dedicated to amplifying the voices and stories of young Africans. Nancy also serves as Regional Focal Point for Africa under the UN Convention to Combat Desertification Youth Engagement Mechanism and has represented Madagascar at major international forums on climate, conservation, and youth leadership.
What made Nancy’s contribution especially impactful was the way she connected global challenges to local realities. Through personal stories and practical examples, she reminded participants that climate action is not only about international negotiations or policies — it is also about people, relationships, education, and the courage to act within our own communities. Her message of faith, resilience, and collective responsibility sparked meaningful dialogue among participants and encouraged many to rethink how they can inspire the next generation through education.
The conversation continued with a presentation by Elphas Kisanya, Coordinator of CAVU, who further explored practical pathways for engaging communities and young people in sustainable development initiatives. Together, the presentations created a rich exchange of ideas, linking grassroots action with global goals and demonstrating how collaboration across sectors can strengthen climate education and advocacy.
An interactive question-and-answer session followed, giving participants the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers, share experiences from their own communities, and reflect on the challenges and opportunities they face as educators and changemakers. The energy of the discussion reflected the growing desire among educators to integrate climate awareness, faith, and youth empowerment into their teaching and community work.
The evening concluded with final remarks from Daniel Kasisi Wafula, Teachers4SDGs Focal Point, followed by closing reflections that left participants feeling inspired and connected.
Beyond the content itself, the session also highlighted the transformative potential of online learning spaces. Despite participants joining from different countries and time zones, the gathering felt personal, interactive, and deeply engaging — a reminder that virtual platforms can create meaningful opportunities for collaboration and community-building beyond the traditional classroom.
As the session came to a close, participants left not only with new ideas and practical resources, but with renewed hope: hope that young people are already leading change, and hope that educators, faith communities, and youth leaders can continue working together to empower the next generation to care for both people and planet.
