Voix du Paysan pour former et informer les citoyens : un engagement pour la justice sociale et climatique
On Friday 14 November 2025, around one hundred young people, including students, researchers, activists and representatives of local communities, gathered in Goma to discuss the environmental and social impacts of the 55 oil and gas blocks put out to tender by the DRC. This project, which directly threatens ecosystems and around 39 million people living in the targeted areas, was at the centre of the discussions. Organised in the lead-up to COP30, the event created a space for critical reflection and civic engagement on energy and climate issues not only in the DRC but also across the wider Great Lakes region.
Informative analyses on a controversial project
Speakers shared strong analyses of the environmental consequences of oil exploitation, including water pollution, deforestation and the forced displacement of communities. They also addressed the contradictions of fossil-fuel-based development in a global context that calls for energy transition. This gathering allowed participants to deepen the knowledge of young people about realities on the ground while questioning the country’s political choices in the face of climate emergencies at a time when COP30 is taking place in Belém, Brazil.
Youth commitment to climate justice
Given the seriousness of the issues raised, participants expressed their determination to take action. They committed themselves to protecting Congolese ecosystems, defending the rights of local communities and raising awareness among their peers about these climate challenges. This important moment marked a key step in building a youth-led movement for climate justice, driven by growing environmental awareness.
A springboard for climate education and community action
Beyond advocacy, the event opened the way for a series of grassroots initiatives: awareness-raising, climate education, community mobilisation and advocacy for sustainable alternatives. The young people present in Goma left with renewed tools and convictions to confront extractive threats and promote a future based on ecological, inclusive and human-rights-respecting solutions.
The Editorial Team
