From refugees to class speakers, this student has a strong message about climate action – the state of the planet

Anyieth Philip Ayuen is well aware of the climate disasters of disasters and food insecurity that can bring to vulnerable communities. After the civil war broke out, Ayuen grew up in South Sudan and lived in Uganda for 10 years. In Uganda, he studied agriculture and crop science at Bugema University and began working as a farmer in a scholarship for UN refugee institutions. But after watching changing weather patterns and flooding destroy all his crops in a season, Ayuen knows he has more to learn.

Now, Ayuen has completed his Master of Climate and Society from Columbia Climate School, where he was selected as a student speaker for class day 2025. In the Q&A below, he discusses the goal of lifting communities out of poverty and solving world hunger, what he learned from his studies and the information he hopes his classmates will bring them into the world.

Finally we speak, you are just starting your master’s degree in the climate and social program. Looking back, what are your experiences this year?

I think my expectations are met. I never thought of such a journey, although sometimes it was challenging. There is a big difference between here and Africa’s education system. I remember thinking, did I really meet Colombian standards? At first I had imposter syndrome.

But my goal here is to position myself in a space of climate adaptation and resilience. I’m also passionate about the food system because of my experience of hunger, seeing so many people suffering and displacement, and seeing the impact of climate change on multiple sectors, including food, energy and water systems. I was forced to learn how to solve these problems. I think I have gained the knowledge I need to be able to position myself as an architect of adaptive and resilience solutions.

I am holding a leadership position at Columbia Climate School this year, and representing students is also my preciousness. Participating in meetings, talking to the dean, and adding my voice to the course plan for the next cohort makes me feel like I’ve contributed to the growth and development of the Columbia Climate School.

What courses do you remember the most?

Climate adaptation and climate change laws and policies taught by Lisa Dale have helped me understand the losses and damages that intergovernmental organizations have developed, policies, the roles of different agencies and who you need to talk to to change things. The dynamics of climate change and climate change have helped me understand the science behind climate change, especially in extreme events. One of the best courses I took last semester was the disaster and development of John Mutter. I learned that some disasters can increase economic growth and development during the recovery period, which is shocking. But we also see so many developing countries fighting rehabilitation after being hit by disasters.

Universal food security with Glenn Denning tells me how countries and regions can access food security, which is a crucial development – without food security, your country will never be stable. The class, food system and climate interactions of Jessica Fanzo and Ruth highlight the burden of malnutrition and malnutrition in developing and developed countries, and there is no fact that any country has access to food security based on a generally accepted definition. Lisa Sachs’ climate mitigation has led me to understand the decarbonization and net zero goals. I can say I received a holistic education in climate schools.

I would also like to congratulate you on being selected as a student speaker on class day. How do you feel?

I think this is the greatest honor of my life. I think I am one of the few privileged people at the moment, and I rarely say that because I grew up in a successful environment, something you rarely see. Thanks to determination, hard work and resilience – I believe that I have instilled my values ​​in me since I was a child and I am honored to represent the class.

What news do you plan to share with your classmates?

In one of his talks, James Hansen, a pioneering climate scientist and professor in Colombia, said we cannot simply pass on the problem of climate change to the next generation. We must take responsibility and face challenges. I decided to give a speech on this idea. I contacted him recently and he told me: “Young people have more power than they are aware of, and they need to use that power.” He has a lot of confidence in us, especially this cohort from climate schools.

I might ask my classmates some questions: Whose voice do you want to amplify and lift? Why would you fight? How will you build a future that is not only sustainable and just and equitable?

In terms of how we envision efforts to change narratives and climate action, we must be agents of change in the world. I believe we are a cohort with global influence and if we are united, if we communicate and encourage each other, we can change the world.

Do you know what you plan to do next?

This semester, I have been working as a research assistant at the National Disaster Preparation Center with outstanding director Josh Devincenzo. Next, I plan to do an internship.

After graduation, my goal is to work with intergovernmental organizations such as the United Nations that have climate adaptation and resilience located in communities. I want to serve in organizations related to food systems and poverty alleviation. I want to champion sustainable development in marginalized communities or communities that are vulnerable to disasters. I am pleased to have the opportunity to serve people in developing countries who have not yet had a dialogue on climate mitigation, adaptation strategies and resilience policies. I believe my career will aim to address hunger and help people get out of poverty by building better, more resilient sources of livelihood for them.

What else do you want to add?

One thing I do at night when I’m studying in climate school is the championship change in the refugee community. I have an organization called Dongriin Foundation, which we co-founded in Uganda. I would spend some evenings talking to people coming home, coach students online, and talk to people who have lost hope in refugee settlements. I am working to position them to adapt to climate-smart agricultural methods and technologies so that they can practice farming and encourage them to use education as a way to change society and change lives.

As global citizens, we need to support refugees and displaced people. Many of them suffered losses as cuts and funding reduced UN agencies and other agencies, such as refugee-led organizations and community organizations. No one chooses to be a refugee, and no one chooses to be displaced. Since I was a refugee less than a year ago, I can prove what organizations like the World Food Program, Food and Agriculture Organization and other organizations that provide relief services must do right now.