By Joseph Momoh, Reporter, D.S. For
The Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) has successfully concluded a two-day workshop aimed at enhancing climate governance and advocating for a human rights-based approach to climate action in Sierra Leone.
The training, held at the CHRDI headquarters on Wilkinson Road in Freetown, gathered a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from government ministries, civil society organizations, media outlets, religious leaders, and community advocates. The focus was on equipping participants with the necessary knowledge and tools to develop actionable strategies for climate adaptation and mitigation.
Key topics addressed during the workshop included climate governance, climate justice, and the creation of effective climate action plans tailored to local communities’ specific challenges.
Dr. Mok, a climate change policy consultant and visiting expert at CHRDI, led the training sessions. With over a decade of experience in government climate policies and grassroots mobilization in the United States, Dr. Mok provided expert insights and shared best practices with attendees.
In his remarks, CHRDI Chief Executive Mr. Abdul M. Fatoma underscored the critical connection between climate change and human rights. He noted that the escalating climate crisis threatens fundamental rights, including the right to life, health, food, clean water, and adequate housing. Vulnerable populations—particularly women, children, indigenous groups, and low-income communities—are disproportionately affected by climate impacts.
“A rights-based approach to climate change ensures that our policies are not only effective but also equitable,” Fatoma stated. “We must design climate responses that respect and protect human rights while empowering those most at risk.”
Fatoma also called for enhanced collaboration between government and civil society to advocate for climate policies that are inclusive, just, and sustainable.
This training is part of CHRDI’s broader mission to promote social justice and policy reform through human rights-based strategies. By fostering knowledge-sharing and multi-stakeholder collaboration, CHRDI aims to strengthen local and national responses to climate change, ensuring that environmental action advances both human dignity and development.
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