Law students advocate for green spaces

Participating in various events that benefit communities and the country is one of the paramount activities students at the University of Malawi engage in, which also offers them an opportunity to interact with other influential people who have similar goals. This is also one way in which the university gives back to the community. As part of raising awareness on the need to conserve the environment and ensure green spaces are protected, some students studying Law, under the Environmental Justice and Sustainability Clinic, joined various organizations on 24th February 2024 in a Green Spaces Initiative and Outreach that was organized by Coordination Union for the Rehabilitation of the Environment (CURE) and other organizations. The event was held at Njamba in Blantyre.

During the event, various activities took place, including the recitation of poems, waste collection, a tree planting exercise at Njamba and a solidarity march around Blantyre city. The march commenced from Kamuzu Stadium, proceeded through the Masauko Chipembere Highway to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, then turned at Kamba to Chitawira before returning to Njamba park. As participants marched, awareness messages were conveyed to the public through placards and songs.

Following the successful tree planting exercise and awareness campaign, the Board Chairperson for Coordination Union for the Rehabilitation of the Environment (CURE), Mr Mernard Nyirenda, stated that the event was organized to urge the government and other stakeholders to rehabilitate green spaces. He continued by stating that such spaces not only contribute to providing clean air but also have the potential to generate revenue if developed and managed properly.

Celebrating the active participation of law students who attended the function, the president of Environmental Justice and Sustainability Clinic, Jeoffrey Pascal (4th year student) stated that the outreach brings together people of different fields and expertise that ensures that there is an interdisciplinary approach towards achieving environmental sustainability. Pascal added that the initiative reinforces Section 4 of the Environment Management Act, which stresses that every individual has the duty to protect the environment.

“Participating in such activities also provides a learning opportunity to students and at the same time it gives them a chance to share their knowledge on saving the environment,” Pascal said.