Margaret Impraim (she/her)

How are you using education to build more sustainable and equitable communities? Tell us about your EE work and impact.

As a climate and sustainable development advocate, my goal has always been to ensure that the youth understand the climate and sustainability issues at hand and the role they need to play in policy making and implementation. As the Assistant Global Coordinator for the Youth Climate Councils Global Alliance, I contribute to the meaningful inclusion of youth in national and international climate decision-making processes by coordinating and supporting youth climate movements in countries around the world. Furthermore, I engage these youth climate movements in knowledge and experience sharing, where they are able to learn from their successes and how they can collectively advocate for the needed policy measures towards environmental sustainability. My experience in youth-government partnerships has also served as a guide to youth movements in other countries seeking to influence climate policy and climate justice models. Through providing voluntary support to youth-led initiatives, I have been engaged at the grassroots and on a global scale to educate youth on sensitive climate matters and empower them to get involved in climate action. For example, in organizing sustainable livelihood programs in communities, farmers have been trained in climate-smart agriculture techniques, youth have been trained in entrepreneurial skills and women have been educated on financial independence. I have also supported webinars to educate the public on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how they can practically contribute towards the achievement of the SDGs. Through volunteering, I have had the opportunity to make an impact beyond organizations to communities and schools in need of training and resources on climate change and sustainable development. 

Tell us about your journey to where you are today. What inspired you? What has your path been like?

Since my infancy, I have been fascinated by nature and this drove my educational path. As I learnt about the environmental injustices in communities that particularly relied on the environment for sustenance, I was motivated to not only learn about the changing environmental conditions and threats like climate change but to also understand how these vulnerable groups can effectively contribute towards environmental sustainability, no matter the generation. As a youth, I have firsthand faced inequalities and this has inspired my work in the youth space where I have been focused on contributing to educating youth to understand the climate change threat and how they can effectively be included in national and international climate decision-making platforms. My work gives me so much joy because, at the end of the day, I see the inspiration on the faces of young people who, like me, are passionate about using their power to create positive environmental change. I am constantly fueled by seeing that I have so much to offer the youth in my country and beyond.

My work as the Assistant Global Coordinator for the Youth Climate Council’s Global Alliance enables me to use my experience in youth-government partnerships to guide youth movements in engaging with diverse stakeholders to educate the youth on environmental issues and build their capacity to influence environmental policies. Additionally, I support various youth climate movements worldwide to strengthen local policy advocacy and foster regional and cross-regional collaborations, empowering youth movements in different countries and regions.

Aside from my work in the Youth Climate Council Global Alliance, I work at the grassroots level and provide voluntary support to multiple youth-led initiatives, both locally and globally, to build the capacity of the youth and women on sensitive climate and sustainable development matters and empower them to get involved in climate action to pursue  environmental sustainability.

How can people learn more about or support your work?

People can learn more about my work at the moment on my social media. Be sure to follow me! 

• Instagram: @margaret_impraim
• LinkedIn: Margaret Impraim
• Facebook: Margaret Impraim

A Little More About Me

Who (or what) do you look up to as inspiration?

I look up to accomplished individuals (especially women) in the climate space as inspiration. This is because it encourages me to persist in my efforts while remaining hopeful that, if I continue, I will make an impact and become a source of inspiration like them.

If you could be any animal or plant, what would you be and why?

If I could be an animal, I would be an eagle because of its limitless nature to soar up high in the sky. This is because like the eagle or any other bird, I love to be limitless in my goals and approaches. 

What’s a passion project of yours outside of your work?

I have had the passion of helping women and youth understand more about green governance and how they can effectively lead the process and engage stakeholders. In pursuit of that, I am working towards creating an initiative that would foster capacity building and collaboration across levels.

How do you recharge?

I recharge by spending time in natural environments like beaches and gardens. This helps me become one with nature and provides room for self-reflection.