Mensa Kwami Tsedze is a One Young World Ambassador from Togo. He is a youth activist with a passion for environmental and conservation initiatives. He is the leader of the IDEAS for US movement in Togo, and plays a large role in engaging young people in environmental causes across Africa.
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January 15, 2015: the start of our "Action - Togo 2015" activities was officially launched by the Minister of Labour and Public Service Mr. Gourdigou Kolani, representing His Excellency the Prime Minister.
Action 2015 is a global movement to end poverty, inequality and climate change. The movement is made up of many individuals and organizations united in the common belief that the decisions taken in 2015 are crucial to our future. Together as a global movement, we will raise our voices today for the generations of tomorrow.
In Togo this movement is led by several civil societies such as IDEAS for US,(an organization that I lead), Young Greens, Earth Guardians, and many others. The world is on track to end poverty, the fight against inequality and avoid dangerous climate change. But it need not be this way. We have the tools, knowledge and resources to solve some of our biggest challenges.
We have already made progress: we have halved extreme poverty rates, cut preventable child deaths by nearly 50 percent and made real progress in protecting the ozone layer. To campaign on issues such as the right of access to antiretroviral drugs for the treatment of HIV infection, the immunization of children, to protection of the environment - when we come together we can make a difference.
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But we must move faster - there is still much to do. 2015 is a crucial year for people and the planet.
Two crucial UN summits towards the end of the year will be an opportunity to make impactful changes.
A summit in September that will result in new global goals - a framework to end all forms of poverty, discrimination and inequality. The other peak of December will set new climate action goals - a crucial step towards a safer planet. These commitments taken together should lay the foundation to address the most urgent challenges facing the planet.
So this is the year when we have to let world leaders know that we look at them, and tell them exactly what we want them to do.
We're at the point for the future of people and turning planet. We need to accelerate action and leave no person or country behind. What happens in 2015 will make a huge difference for our future.
In September 2015, world leaders will gather in New York to hear what needs to be done to end poverty, reduce inequality and fight against the destruction of the environment. In Paris, in December, they will meet again to agree a new climate deal with the potential for a safer planet.
The decisions taken at both meetings will help shape the fate of the next generation and many more to come. Therefore, it is essential that these plans are as ambitious as possible. We need leaders to step up to the challenge and make the right decisions.
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Together, as a global movement of citizens, we will make our voices heard today for the generations of tomorrow.
In Togo the campaign will bring together a number of activities including a large caravan across the country.
The results of this global campaign is to get a success leading to ambitious agreements in 2015.
In 2015, we can begin our journey to a better world. We want everyone to get involved. Throughout 2015, the campaign will provide ways for people everywhere to get involved to influence the results of the global debate that could reach:
- The end of poverty in all its forms;
- The meeting of fundamental rights, the fight against inequality and discrimination;
- An accelerated transition to 100% renewable energy;
- A world in which everyone can participate and hold their leaders accountable.