THE CASSANDRA PROGRAMME IN AFRICA AND THE MEDITERRANEAN: THE POWER OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY ACTIVIST

4th February 2026 | 14.00 – 15.30 CET

Description

The CASSANDRA Programme which resulted from the conclusions of the first two CASSANDRA Conferences places enormous emphasis on the promotion and active support of local community activists. CASSANDRA believes that both citizen engagement and citizen science is far more effective if led and implemented by inhabitants of the local communities in question. Over the past 12 months, CASSANDRA has been demonstrating this approach in 26 countries in the Mediterranean region, Africa and the Near East. The audience will be encouraged to question in detail, local activists from our Local Climate Forums, a generic term for a heterogenous collection of courageous, effective initiatives undertaken by selfless inhabitants of challenged local communities who work tirelessly to confront the challenges posed by those issues that CASSANDRA examines.

Presenter:

  • TEBALDO VINCIGUERRA, PhD in Economics, LUMSA, University of Rome

Speakers in this session:

  • BETH ISALIKHO, Local Climate Forum Leader in the Mara Basin

  • SALAH SILVANO, Director, Alarm Green Foundation

  • CHRISTOPHER WAITHAKA, Director, KOMB GREEN SOLUTIONS

  • AGHAJI UJUNWA VICTORIA, Senior Programmes Manager, PAVE

  • ABOTALEB AHMED    Local Climate Forum Leaders in Sudan

  • DENISE KYALWAHI    Local Climate Forum Leaders in DRC

  • ENOCK S. KIMINTA Chief Executive Officer, Kenya National Association of Water Resources

  • FRANCIS NJUAKOM Director and Founder, CDVTA

Presenter

https://www.lumsa.it/

TEBALDO VINCIGUERRA

PhD in Economics, LUMSA, University of Rome 

Mr. Tebaldo Vinciguerra graduated in 2007 in Political Science and International Studies (Political Science Institute of Bordeaux – Faculty of Political Science of Turin). In 2025, he completed a PhD in Economics about drinking water in poor areas (LUMSA University of Rome). He worked on water related issues as a researcher on natural disasters at the Italian Ministry of Defense (2008-2009), and as the coordinator of the Manchay Verde project of the Archdiocese of Lima, Peru (2009-2010). Since 2011, he has been working on environmental issues at the service of the Holy See (Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development). His fields of interest encompass WASH in healthcare facilities and the human right to drinking water. He is married to Diane and they have four children.

Speakers in this session

https://www.linkedin.com/company/alarm-green-foundation/posts/?feedView=all

BETH ISALIKHO

Local Climate Forum Leader in the Mara Basin

Beth Isalikho is a dedicated advocate for climate sustainability, embodying resilience,
determination, and a profound commitment to uplifting her community. Born in Kenya into a humble yet joyful family, Beth’s journey has been marked by an unwavering belief in the power of education and environmental health as catalysts for change. Her life philosophy revolves around illuminating the paths of others, akin to lighting candles that symbolize hope and guidance.
As a trained graduate teacher, Beth possesses not only academic qualifications but also the innate qualities of a mentor and leader. She is recognized for her ability to gather diverse groups—young and old alike—to engage in meaningful activities that promote environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Her initiatives include tree planting campaigns, local soap-making workshops, table banking projects, and community clean-up drives. Through these efforts, she fosters awareness about rights and obligations while empowering individuals to take charge of their surroundings.
Beth’s leadership extends beyond mere organization; she is self-driven and focused on creating sustainable solutions that address both environmental challenges and social inequalities. As a community champion for women’s rights and the welfare of boys and girls, she actively works to bridge gaps between generations, ensuring that knowledge and resources are shared equitably.
Her contributions have not gone unnoticed; she has been honored with titles such as
Environmental Ambassador and Peace Champion due to her impactful work in tree planting and local conservation efforts. These accolades reflect her dedication to fostering peace through environmental action—a testament to her belief that sustainability is integral to societal harmony.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/alarm-green-foundation/posts/?feedView=all

SALAH SILVANO

Director, Alarm Green Foundation

Salah Silvano is an accomplished environmentalist with a robust passion for promoting sustainable development, environmental conservation, and climate resilience. He is a Local Climate Forum Leader of the CASSANDRA programme from South Sudan who also serves as the Executive Director at Alarm Green Foundation. They are implementing the Greater Mundri Restoration Initiative in the Greater Mundri region (Mundri West County, Mundri East County and Mvolo County) of South Sudan where they are empowering their local communities through activities focused on climate action and building their resilience.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/komb-green-solutions-210aab198/?originalSubdomain=ke

CHRISTOPHER WAITHAKA

Director, KOMB GREEN SOLUTIONS

Christopher Waithaka is a 32-year-old community leader, environmental advocate, and the founder of Komb Green Solutions—a youth-led movement transforming lives in Korogocho, one of Nairobi’s most underserved informal settlements. He is driven by passion, resilience, and a deep commitment to social justice, climate action, and community empowerment.

Growing up in Korogocho, he experienced the challenges of poverty, pollution, and limited opportunities. In his earlier years, he was involved in different vice-related activities, a path many young people in Korogocho easily fall into. His life changed when he chose transformation and purpose. Today, he uses his story to mentor and guide youth, helping them escape crime and build better lives. Through these mentorship efforts, crime in his community has been reduced by an estimated 89 percent.

Through his leadership at Komb Green Solutions, the local community initiative has reclaimed polluted riverbanks, built green parks, restored public walkways, and mobilised thousands of young people into meaningful environmental work. Christopher has also worked closely with government agencies, development partners, and private donors to ensure that community voices remain at the heart of the Nairobi River regeneration journey.

Beyond environmental work, Christopher champions humanitarian initiatives, including a weekly feeding programme supporting more than 300 children, activities for the elderly, and support for people living with disabilities.

Christopher is committed to inspiring a new generation of changemakers. His vision is to see Korogocho and other informal settlements transformed into green, safe, and economically active communities where every young person has a real chance to thrive.

http://www.pave-nigeria.org/https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-aghaji-3602921b1/

AGHAJI UJUNWA VICTORIA

Senior Programmes Manager, PAVE

Aghaji Ujunwa Victoria is a Senior Programmes Manager at the Pan African Vision for the Environment (PAVE), Nigeria. She is a development professional and researcher with a B.Sc. in Zoology and Environmental Biology and an M.Sc. in Fisheries Management and Aquaculture from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Victoria leads initiatives that advance sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and community empowerment across African contexts. Her work focuses on circular economy approaches, urban agriculture, organic waste management, climate action, and food system resilience. She has extensive experience designing and implementing community-focused programs that empower women, youth, and local communities to adopt sustainable practices. Her work bridges research, policy, and practice to promote resilient, equitable, and sustainable communities across Africa, contributing to lasting social and environmental impact.

ABOTALEB AHMED

Local Climate Forum Leader in Sudan

Abutalib Ahmed is an experienced project manager, researcher and climate negotiator who is one of the leading CASSANDRA Local Climate Forum Leaders in Sudan. He has led complex educational and humanitarian projects in the most difficult of circumstances in a priority country for CASSANDRA.

DENISE KYALWAHI

Local Climate Forum Leader in in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abutalib Ahmed is an experienced project manager, researcher and climate negotiator who is one of the leading CASSANDRA Local Climate Forum Leaders in Sudan. He has led complex educational and humanitarian projects in the most difficult of circumstances in a priority country for CASSANDRA.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdellah-ahjam-91631726/?originalSubdomain=ma

ENOCK S. KIMINTA

Chief Executive Officer, Kenya National Association of Water Resources

Enock S. Kiminta is a hydrologist with over 14 years of experience in Kenya’s water sector, specializing in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), policy development, stakeholder engagement, and partnerships. A national leader in citizen science since 2014, he has trained Water Resources Users Associations (WRUAs) across Kenya to monitor freshwater sources quality and quantity, enabling communities to generate credible data that strengthens evidence-based decision-making in water governance.

He has authored articles and contributed to policy briefs promoting the integration of citizen-generated data, gender inclusion into national water and environmental strategies. With strong expertise in organizational change management and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL), Enock has led national and regional initiatives advancing sustainable and inclusive water governance.

I am currently serving as CEO of the Kenya National Association of Water Resources Users Associations (KeNAWRUA), representing 779 WRUAs across Kenya’s six basins, and I champion collaboration, innovation, and policy influence for sustainable water resource management and development.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdellah-ahjam-91631726/?originalSubdomain=ma

FRANCIS NJUAKOM

Director and Founder, CDVTA

Francis Njuakom Nchii, is a leading water management, food security, pro-gender-equality, ecosystems based adaptation and climate control crusader. He has over 20 years of championing water security and climate issues, agroforestry approaches, promoting ecological balance and combating gender inequalities through women-lead community stakeholder platforms, for resilient communities. He is completely driven by his strong passion for investing in and inspiring women towards dynamic leadership and human transformation in a society where All Generations can actively work together for people in need while improving solidarity and impacting people and ensuring resilient communities. Trained in social work, community development, advocacy and leadership, Francis is founder and Chief Executive of Community Development Volunteers for Technical Assistance (CDVTA), a leading grassroots-driven Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. A widely travelled, highly motivated unconventional public speaker, Francis has chaired and presented papers on gender equality, ecosystems based adaption, climate actions, water management, the role of elders and tribal chiefs on the promotion of women’s rights in Africa, irrigation systems in climate smart farming, restoration of landscapes and resilient communities in conferences, across Europe, Australia, Canada, United States and Africa. Francis has coordinated and advised Nouvelle Planete Suisse and All We Can UK water, environment and farming projects in Cameroon for over 15 years, as well as overseen with great success, an institutional project funded by the UK Department for International Development (DfID) (2009-2014). In 2008, Francis was awarded the UK Sheila McKechnie International Campaigner Award at Number 10 Downing Street, London, by the then UK Prime Minister, the Rt, Hon. Gordon Brown. He has served on the Boards of several national and international organizations. Francis is a “Knight of Cameroon Order of Valour” and “Officer of Cameroon Order of Valour” titles conferred on him in 2016 and 2022 by the President of Cameroon in recognition of his significant contributions to community development in the country.