Watch TIME100 Impact Awards honoree Elizabeth Wathuti's acceptance speech in Singapore.
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00:00 Thank you all so much and much greetings from Kenya,
00:04 the land of vast wildlife, landscapes and the greatest marathoners.
00:08 This is a timely and timeless moment and I want to thank time for this honour.
00:16 I am Elizabeth Wathuti, an environmentalist
00:19 and the founder of the Green Generation Initiative.
00:23 I also serve as the youngest commissioner of the Nairobi Rivers Commission in Kenya
00:28 and lead the Wangare Mathai Foundation's Youth Hub.
00:31 I am profoundly honoured to accept the Time Impact Award here in Singapore.
00:37 And as a young person from Kenya, this recognition for me
00:41 is a powerful affirmation of the incredible potential within Africa's youth.
00:46 I draw my inspiration from the Nobel laureate, Professor Wangare Mathai,
00:51 whose tireless efforts in environmental conservation continue to inspire me every day
00:57 and also nature has always been my guide and sanctuary.
01:01 This award is not just about me.
01:04 It's a spotlight on the energy, innovation and resilience of a generation
01:09 that is determined to shape a brighter future for our communities and our planet.
01:15 And together we are rewriting the narrative,
01:19 proving that young voices are not just the future
01:22 but the driving force of change here and right now in this world.
01:27 And I carry the dreams of countless young Africans fighting to make a difference.
01:33 And I urge you to also embrace the incredible potential
01:36 within Africa's youth as architects of the world we wish to see.
01:41 I'm coming here from the just concluded Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya,
01:46 which was a significant summit organised under the leadership of Kenya's president,
01:51 His Excellency President William Ruto, and also the African Union.
01:56 And this was organised to shape Africa's green growth agenda
02:00 and narrative for global solutions.
02:02 And the summit indeed put young people at the centre.
02:06 And I want to thank and appreciate the African Youth Climate Assembly Secretariat
02:10 who also worked with me to ensure that the voices of young Africans
02:15 are not left out in the climate decision-making frameworks.
02:18 And just before I take my seat, I want to express my deepest gratitude to Time
02:24 and all of the people who have supported me.
02:26 My mum has been my greatest champion, and my family,
02:30 my team at the Green Generation Initiative, the Wangari Maathai Foundation,
02:35 my lovely friends and family, and Lumumba is right here with me today,
02:39 and all of the people who keep on supporting me in all ways.
02:42 And above all, I'm grateful to God for this.
02:45 Thank you so much, Singapore.
02:47 Thank you all for believing in the power of youth and the promise of a brighter tomorrow.
02:52 Together, we can change the course of history.
02:54 Thank you so much.
02:56 [APPLAUSE]