docUNight: Thank You for the Rain

In 2012, Kisilu, a Kenyan farmer, started capturing the life of his family, his village, and the daily realities of climate change on camera. When a violent storm brings him and a Norwegian filmmaker together, we witness his journey from a father to community leader to global activist.

Join us for a screening of the powerful documentary 'Thank You For The Rain' followed by a panel discussion on how migration relates to climate change, disasters, and environmental degradation in Africa, looking at the past decade.

Thank You For The Rain addresses a range of issues linked to climate change, including climate justice, urbanisation, gender equality, education, access to water, climate migration, and adaptation.

Just weeks after COP30 in Belém, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) will examine the critical links between human mobility and climate change – and how communities continue to adapt and stay resilient.

Run time: 1h 27 minutes

Language: English

This event is made possible thanks to the IOM programme on Climate Change and Migration Data (CCMD), funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please bring a valid photo-ID to get through security at UN City and set aside time for the security check prior to the event.

Please note that the check-in will open at 16:30 and close at 17:20.

It will not be possible to enter UN City after this time. Please DO NOT book tickets under your name for someone else.

Please reserve each ticket under each person's name due to the security check upon entry to UN City.

Refreshments (soft drinks and snacks) will be available for purchase between 16:30–17:30. You are also welcome to bring your own water bottles and snacks to UN City.

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PROGRAMME

17:30 Opening Remarks by IOM and UNEP

• Henry Neufeldt – Head of Impact Assessment and Adaptation, Chief Scientific Editor of the Adaptation Gap Report, UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre
• Giorgia Rega – Programme Manager, IOM Denmark

17:40 Screening of 'Thank You for the Rain'

19:10 Panel Discussion with:

• Julia Dahr – Norwegian filmmaker and activist (joining online)
• Kisilu Musuya – Kenyan filmmaker, farmer, climate fighter, and video diarist in the film (joining online)
• moderated by Rose Kobusinge – IOM-AU Youth Ambassador and Ugandan advocate on Migration, Environment, and Climate Change

19:40 Closing Remarks

19:45 End of event

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ABOUT INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY:

This docUNight is part of the commemoration of International Migrants Day 2025 that occurs every year on 18 December. This year’s theme "My Great Story: Cultures and Development" promotes migration as a driver of resilience, innovation, and sustainable development.

The theme emphasises inclusive governance, partnerships, and storytelling to showcase migrants’ contributions to economies, cultures, and global progress. It highlights how properly governed migration connects people, enriches cultures, and drives sustainable development across origin, transit, and destination communities.

SPECIAL EXHIBITION:

Visit UN City on 16 December and explore a special exhibition featuring a series of photographs showcasing communities in Mauritania under the Climate Change, Migration, and Development (CCMD) project.

The photo exhibition explores how climate change in Mauritania contributes to reshaping landscapes, lives, and migration patterns. Through the lens of photographer Alexander Bee, it documents the droughts, sudden floods, and environmental degradation impacting the decision of people to migrate – or to adapt in place – as traditional livelihoods become harder to sustain.

The images highlight both the human face of a changing climate and the resilience of communities working to forge new solutions. They underscore the urgent need for more adaptation finance and people-centred responses.

These are essential for migration to remain a choice rather than a necessity and ensure human rights-based climate action.

In addition to the photo exhibition, be part of an interactive world map – by pinning your country of origin and migration pathways – and showcase the diversity of global migration and our shared stories.

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About IOM:

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading intergovernmental organisation within the UN system, dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration since 1951.

IOM works to save lives and protect people on the move, drive solutions to displacement, and facilitate pathways for regular migration.

IOM has operations in 171 countries through more than 550 field offices. IOM Denmark manages programmes that promote evidence-based migration governance and safe migration in North, East, West, and Central Africa as well as the Middle East, with a particular focus on climate change and border governance. These large-scale initiatives, implemented by IOM globally, are coordinated closely with the Government of Denmark within its migration framework.

Learn more abou IOM.

About UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre:

UNEP Copenhagen Climate is a leading international advisory institution on energy, climate, and sustainable development.

Its work focuses on assisting developing countries and emerging economies transition towards more low-carbon development paths and supports the integration of climate resilience in national development.

Learn more about UNEP-CCC here.

About UN City Copenhagen:

UN City Copenhagen is a hub for the Sustainable Development Goals where UN agencies collaborate, share knowledge, and work with partners from across governments, the private sector, academia, youth networks, and civil society in the Nordics and around the world. UN City comprises 2 campuses. Campus 1 on Marmormolen opened in July 2013 and houses 10 UN organisations with 1,700+ personnel from 100+ countries. Campus 2, located on Oceanvej, constitutes UNICEF’s Global Supply Hub – with a total storage capacity of 36,000 pallets, it is the largest humanitarian warehouse in the world.

Learn more about UN City Copenhagen.