Who we are
The DRC national chapter of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, the voice of young people at the Convention on Biological Diversity.
A national forum for mobilisation and action
Congolese Youth Biodiversity Network, also known as GYBN DRC, is the national chapter in the Democratic Republic of the Congo of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN), the youth component of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
In the DRC, GYBN is a national platform for mobilisation, representation, learning and action for young people who wish to contribute to biodiversity conservation and governance. The network brings together young people from different backgrounds, regions and disciplines, united by a shared ambition: to make Congolese youth an active force in the protection of biodiversity.
Young people: shaping the present
From the forests of the Congo Basin to the mountains in the east, and from wetlands to major river basins, biodiversity underpins the country’s ecosystems, communities, livelihoods and natural heritage. But this wealth faces numerous pressures.
In a country where young people make up a significant proportion of the population, one question springs to mind: what role do we want to give this generation in the decisions that shape the future of biodiversity?
For GYBN DRC, young people are not just the future generations. They are also key players in the present.
Values inherited from GYBN Global
Local roots
Roots in the ground — to work as closely as possible with local areas and communities, where biodiversity is part of everyday life.
Diversity
To celebrate the diversity of backgrounds, cultures, knowledge and regions that make up our network.
Fairness
To advocate for a fair distribution of the rights, responsibilities and benefits of nature, including across generations.
Harmony with nature
To contribute to a world where societies live in harmony with nature: the CBD’s Vision 2050.
Inclusion
To open up our spaces to everyone, particularly young women, young people from Indigenous communities and young people from rural areas.
Class action
Moving forward together, as a network, from the local to the national and right up to the global level.
Mobilise, represent, take action
Bringing young people together
Giving a voice to young people
Take action
A growing network
The birth of the network
Official recognition
Reaching out to ever more young people
To participate is to understand, contribute and make decisions
Within GYBN DRC, youth participation is not limited to simply being present in meeting rooms. It means being able to understand the issues at stake, contribute to discussions, put forward one’s own proposals, and take part in decisions and actions relating to biodiversity.
Biodiversity is not only protected at conferences: it is also protected in communities, schools, universities, protected areas, forests, wetlands and wherever decisions on natural resources are made.
From Kinshasa to Kivu, there’s a place for every young person
Biodiversity in the DRC is rich and varied. So too are the realities and experiences of young people. GYBN DRC is building a national network capable of reflecting this diversity and forging links between young people from different provinces.
From Kinshasa to Kivu, from Kasai to Kongo Central, from Équateur to Katanga and in all the other provinces, every young person must be able to find their place within this dynamic.
