On the 16th of June, eighty-one Climate Change Ambassadors graduated at a Gala Dinner at the newly opened Hilton Hotel in Windhoek. The Gala Dinner was attended by senior government officials, representatives of UNDP, media and participants of the Climate Change Adaptation Ambassadors programme. Funded by the Government of Japan, this programme aimed to identify and train key stakeholders and decision-makers from all spectrums of society in regards to climate change adaptation and mitigation. NaDEET’s Director, Viktoria Keding, was given the honour to give the closing remarks and vote of thanks on behalf of all ambassadors. During her speech she said,
“As soon as this evening is finished is when the true challenge begins…Climate change adaptation and mitigation measures, including the continuation of the Ambassadors Programme, are not actually things that are to be treated separately, but rather must be mainstreamed into our existing focal areas and activities. As we say at NaDEET Centre, let us not only tell others how to “adapt and mitigate”, but rather let us be role models and lead the way by practicing sustainable living. I have recently learned from the Honourable Minister of Environment and Tourism that her 91 year old mother is already adapting as she actually prefers her meat solar cooked!”