Voix du Paysan to train and inform citizens, a commitment to social and climate justice.
On the island of Idjwi, in the heart of Lake Kivu, environmental challenges require responses rooted in local realities. It is with this in mind that www.dec-rdc.org is actively engaging with young people to highlight traditional knowledge in the sustainable management of natural resources. Ancestral practices such as crop rotation, the preservation of water sources, and the careful use of medicinal plants provide a valuable foundation for building an ecological awareness adapted to the territory.
Passing on to preserve, elders at the heart of the action
Through intergenerational activities, www.dec-rdc.org facilitates the oral transmission of knowledge from elders to youth. Community dialogue spaces, environmental storytelling workshops, and field visits allow young people to learn directly from the guardians of Idjwi’s ecological memory. This approach not only strengthens cultural identity, it also restores legitimacy to local practices in the face of imported models that are often unsuitable.
Training young ambassadors of local ecology
By integrating this knowledge into popular education initiatives, www.dec-rdc.org is training a new generation of environmental ambassadors, firmly rooted in their territory. These young people become active relays to raise awareness among their peers, advocate with local authorities, and defend their environment against growing threats, particularly those linked to demographic pressure, pollution, and extractive ambitions. It is by combining tradition and modernity that a truly sustainable ecology is being built in Idjwi.
The Editorial Team
Ancestral knowledge and engaged youth, towards inclusive environmental education in Idjwi
