







A Poem by Abdullatif Khalid Eberhard Do you still doubt me, You may write me down in your…
The tools he fought to place in our hands—the laws, the freedoms, the hope—are now ours to wield. Let us honor the whole of his journey—the triumphs and the scars—by building a future so just and free that it becomes his greatest testament.
Youth are also greatly impacted by climate change due to the loss of educational and skill-building opportunities. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimates that by 2050, climate change would cause up to 1.8 billion school days to be lost worldwide, which will have a catastrophic effect on the education and skill-building of young people.
As Batswana grapple with a BWP 22 billion budget deficit (9% of GDP in 2024), rising public debt of 27.4% of GDP, squeezing funds for youth-centric programs and youth unemployment at 43.86%, underscoring the urgency of prioritizing job creation and social services for the nation’s youth-dominated population (70% under 35), the FfD4 presents an opportunity for Batswana to redefine global rules on sovereign debt, a critical issue for Botswana as diamond revenue volatility strains public finances.
We write to you as the Youth for Tax Justice Network (YTJN), a global, youth-led coalition advocating for inclusive and equitable
tax systems that serve the needs of both present and future generations across Africa and Europe. As the Intergovernmental
Negotiating Committee deliberates on the United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation in New York,
we urge you to recognize this moment for what it is: a generational turning point.
Beyond formal education, investment is needed to support child-centered eco-learning programs and community outreach initiatives that raise awareness and empower youth with the knowledge and skills necessary for climate action. Utilizing digital platforms, radio programs, and visual materials in local languages will further expand the reach of climate literacy, ensuring no young person is left behind in understanding the climate crisis and their role in solving it.