Why Young People?

Central to this conference is the recognition of the key role that young people have to play in addressing climate change and protecting the planet for the future. To this end young people’s capabilities must be strengthened; they must be given the information, tools and techniques to elaborate approaches and recommendations for action. Equally, they need to be given the opportunity to engage leaders to demand appropriate policy approaches to address climate change – policies for which these leaders must be held accountable. Young people bring ideas, energy and creativity to debates around global issues and must be provided with the space and resources necessary to be able to express their concerns and aspirations.

In the spirit of international solidarity, it is vital that youth from developing countries participate in the conference as they are representatives of the countries that are likely to be first and most heavily affected by future climate change. As such, they have a key role to play in drawing attention to the severity of this evolving crisis and in influencing current and future policy making. Young people from all over the globe need to co-operate and collaborate with each other to work towards common interests. Cross sector approaches need to be developed that acknowledge the connections existing between the environment, society, business and economic development, in order to acquire a holistic view of the impact of climate change on our society.

It is imperative that youth are actively involved in the development of equitable and legally binding agreements between states within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Governments must provide a framework that encourages participation among all age groups and socio-economic classes to address climate change.

State Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Kyoto Protocol will be meeting in Cancun, Mexico from 29 November to 10 December 2010 (Conference of Parties/COP 16). One of the main outputs of the Global Youth Conference in early November will be to deliver a resounding message to COP 16 delegates, international officials, civil society members and the mass media that realistic, concrete and effective efforts to tackle climate change must be made NOW.