Scaling up wPOWER Hub and Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies

Prof. Kiama Gitahi, PhDWangari Maathai Institute for Peace & Environmental Studies

When we plant trees we plant the seeds of Peace and Hope

Wangari Maathai

Presented at wPower training of Trainer Training at GBM Training Centre, July 14 th 2014

The Spirit of the Institute• Former Head of Department of Veterinary

Anatomy, University of Nairobi,• Founder, GBM• Founder, Distinguished Chair, WMI• Noble Peace Prize Laureate, 2004

VISION

Excellence in experiential learning, transformational community outreach and research for a sustainable environment and cultures of peace

To cultivate positive ethics, values and practices towards the environment by training stewards who foster peace, holistic sustainable development and link theory with practice.

MISSION

EIGHTEENTH ORDINARY SESSION OF THE AFRICAN UNION, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

• During their last AU summit at the auspices of the New African Union Headquaters Complex in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia all the head’s of states from Africa decided to recognize the life and work of Wangari Muta Maathai,

• The Summit also encouraged the AU Commission, to take all the necessary measures to support “Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies (WMI)” as an African Centre of Excellence, to encourage research on environmental governance and its linkages with peace, human rights and democracy in Africa.

An inspiring living innovative and creative laboratory where new “green” technologies

and best practices of environmental sustainability and conflict resolution can be fostered, developed, tested, validated and

demonstrated Strategic plan 2010-2020

Partnership on Women’s Entrepreneurship in Renewables (“wPOWER”)-2013

• The Department of State launched the Partnership on Women’s Entrepreneurship in Renewables (“wPOWER”) in January 2013.

• Aim of wPOWER: wPOWER aims to empower more than 8,000 women clean energy entrepreneurs across East Africa, Nigeria and India who will deliver clean energy access to more than 3.5 million people over the next three years.

• Creation of the Hub: In order to reach this goal, the state department created a wPOWER Hub at the Wangari Maathai Institute.

wPOWER

Component I:

Development of wPOWER Hub and Resource Centre

• Establishment of a secretariat

• Development of a Website• Research and Baseline

survey on clean energy technologies

• Promotion of wPOWER activities-development of a monitoring plan

• Promotion of interaction between wPOWER partners

Component II:

Curriculum development

• Need assessment on clean energy technologies

• Course content for training in clean energy technologies

• Developing Modules for Training

Component III:

Targeted training, exchanges and partnership building on clean energy technologies & entrepreneurship

• Training of women from India, East Africa and Nigeria

• Organize exchange visits in line with the needs of partner countries

• Convene Annual wPOWER partner gatherings and exhibitions

Component IV:

Sustainability Take measures to establish a permanent wPOWER hub within the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace & Environmental Studies

Continue to seek resources to continue the Hubs activities over the long term

Established a coordinating team to manage all wPOWER Hub activities at WMI

Ensure that the activities of the hub are integrated within the mandate of the WMI and anchor them within the University of Nairobi

We continue to seek to know more about the work of wPOWER partners

We continues to listen to learn the expectations of the wPOWER partners

We continue to look out for emerging clean energy technologies

We continue to provide a forum for sharing best practices between partners

Going forward

Better Environmental Stewards

THANK YOU