Marie-Josee Paula Houenou

Marie-Josée Houénou has seven years of experience as a consultant providing legal counsel and working on the implementation sustainable development, climate change, and environmental protection projects. Focused on climate change, green entrepreneurship, and education, she coordinated Mediaterre, a youth initiative fighting climate change. It was implemented by ASAPSU, a sanitation organization, with support from the Francophone Institute for Sustainable Development (IFDD) and Green Fund Quebec, and reached over 160,000 people. Previously, Marie-Josee Paula Houenou worked on sustainable development projects as an intern at UNESCO and consultant with the Ivorian Ministry of Environment. Marie-Josée also volunteered as the program assistant for an IFDD program on international negotiation, environment, and sustainable development. She assisted Francophone negotiators during international negotiations, such as the Conference of Parties, related to the UN Convention on Climate Change and Biodiversity. She earned master’s degrees in International Environmental Law and Business Administration. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Marie-Josée plans to design, advise, and implement innovative environmental projects within international and national institutions, as she believes that environmental issues can provide sustainable opportunities to fight poverty and promote development in Africa.