PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

“Promote human dignity, sustained economic development and respect for the environment,” Ambassador Robin Reneé Sanders urges Nigerian youth leaders

Date: May 20, 2008
Venue: Abuja

Ambassador Sanders making remarks at the Nigerian Salzburg Seminar Alumni | Full size

Ambassador Robin Sanders gave this advice at the opening of a two-day Youth Environmental Leadership Program Workshop in Abuja on Tuesday, May 20.  Youth representing various disciplines and institutions are participating in the workshop. 

She said the U.S. Mission is partnering with the Nigerian Salzburg Seminar Alumni in staging the workshop to assist in developing the participants’ capacity to understand important environmental issues confronting Nigeria and to develop the skills that they need to be effective leaders and advocates.

The U.S Ambassador emphasized that a substantial portion of U.S. development assistance in Nigeria is focused on investing in people, including activities specifically channeled toward youth development.  “Progress and prosperity require collective action, and a country's people are its most important resource,” Ambassador Sanders said.

Ambassador Sanders recounted the environmental challenges that confront Nigeria and other developing nations.  To mitigate further negative environmental impacts, economic growth needs to take place in a sustainable manner – one that preserves, protects, and honors the environment for future generations.  

Echoing a popular theme of environmentalists, she challenged the youth leaders to work “Think globally…act locally,” recognizing that environmental problems are global in nature but their impact, and their solution, begins locally with each one of us.

“We must work together on this, and as future leaders of this country, you are agents of change and we are your partner in these efforts,” the Ambassador assured the workshop participants.

Mr. Maximillan Schellmann, representing the Austrian Ambassador to Nigeria, said the Salzburg Seminar Alumni program on the environment could not have come at a better time than now and its target participants are the most appropriate to address current challenges in renewable energy and sustainable environment.