Reimagine our Future Declaration

The Reimagine our Future Declaration, authored by over 150 South African youth aged 14-24, calls for systemic reforms to address youth unemployment, climate change, and social inequality. The authors advocate for a 'youth-centred green recovery' from the COVID-19 pandemic, urging the South African government to divest from fossil fuels, invest in renewable energy, and integrate climate education into school curricula. Economically, the declaration highlights a youth unemployment rate of 32.5% and demands greater transparency, accountability in public spending, and increased funding for youth-led businesses. Socially, it emphasizes the need for free, decolonised education and urgent action against gender-based violence and femicide.

• The youth authors report that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated economic crises, pushing the national unemployment rate to 32.5%, a burden that primarily falls on the youth population.
• The declaration calls for a transition to a clean energy economy that is both orderly and just, specifically requiring the reskilling and tooling of the energy workforce for a post-pandemic environment.
• The authors identify SASOL and ESKOM as major emitters of fossil fuels and demand the implementation of stricter regulations and penalties to force emission reductions.
• There is a demand for the South African government to divest from fossil fuels and instead prioritize investment in renewable energy, including biofuels and energy generated from biological waste.
• The document advocates for the integration of climate change education across all subjects in the basic education curriculum to empower young people to lead sustainable change.
• The authors express concern over the lack of youth representation in decision-making, proposing a youth quota to ensure their participation in government at local, provincial, and national levels.
• The declaration highlights the intersection of environmental injustice and social vulnerability, noting that women and children in underprivileged areas experience climate disasters more intensely, which worsens food security, housing, and land issues.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (n.d.). Reimagine our Future Declaration. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/[email protected]

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Reimagine our Future Declaration. n.d. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/[email protected].

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Reimagine our Future Declaration |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/[email protected] |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairsndreimagine, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Reimagine our Future Declaration}}, publisher = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/[email protected]}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }