From the 13th to the 15th of June, 30 youth leaders from Scout Groups across South Africa gathered at the Gillwell Scout Training Centre in Johannesburg to deepen their understanding of the UN Plastic Tide Turners Challenge (PTTC) and to develop skills in Environmental Advocacy.

The National Environmental Advocacy Training was facilitated by Calisto Ochieng, Manager of Strategic Partnerships and Fundraising for World Scouting’s Africa Regional Office. The training offered valuable insights into different forms of advocacy and explored how Scouts, as young leaders and active citizens, can lead the way and use their voices and actions to drive positive environmental change.

Working in groups, the Scouts, Rovers, and Scouters present identified local environmental problems and designed grassroots community-driven advocacy campaigns aimed at raising awareness and promoting sustainable behaviour change. They also mapped out key role players within their communities who could support their efforts and presented their campaign ideas for peer feedback and discussion.

“During the previous onboarding training held in the Free State, we spoke about the impact of our actions. Before this initiative, many of us weren’t aware of how our habits affected the environment. This advocacy training was a grounding experience and a reminder of our responsibility to care for our communities,” said Katleho Mokoena, Project Lead and Chairperson of the National Rover Advisory Council. “It was encouraging to see young people engaging with the concepts of advocating for change and hearing their project ideas. If we, as youth, don’t lead the charge toward healthier communities and environmental stewardship, what kind of world will we be leaving behind?”

Rover Duduzile Mthombeni from the 1st Montshia Scout Group in the North West Scout Region shared a similar perspective: “I appreciated the ‘Plastic Tide Turners’ training for its engaging approach to addressing plastic pollution. The training raised my awareness about the issue and provided practical solutions that I can implement in my daily life. I liked the emphasis on community engagement and the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who share my passion for sustainability.”

This National Advocacy Training forms part of a larger, youth-led initiative in which Scouts are rolling out the UN Plastic Tide Turners Challenge within their communities. These activities include service projects and awareness campaigns that foster local partnerships to reduce plastic waste and create lasting environmental impact. The project is supported by World Scouting and the UN PTTC.