Youth Conference on Climate Change and Sustainability, Geneva 2010

The Global Youth conference, held in Geneva this November 2010, was a four-day event organized to galvanize young people concerned about the global situation and the environmental changes in which we find ourselves today. One hundred twenty delegates were present including representatives from WWF, Greenpeace, the IETA (International Emissions Trading Association) and more, as well as plenty followers online, thanks to the live recording of the program. The outcome of the conference was a message, in the form of a proposal, from young people to the Climate Summit at Cancun (a.k.a. COP 16). This proposal highlighted the need both to institutionalize environmental justice through a universal carbon tax system, and to create a Bill of Rights for the environment. The document contained a total of seven proposals and was carried to the headquarters of the UN and delegates of its bodies: UNFCCC, UNEP and the IPCC - as well as the WTO and the World Meteorological Organization.

It felt a privilege to be part of this movement of young people making their voices heard by these institutions that carry such weight on the world stage. Yet, due to differing political interests, these institutions find it difficult to come to binding resolutions and put their expertise into action. As our global concerns for social and environmental justice become more pressing, these institutions need to step into positive action. The Global Youth Conference, full with presentations, workshops and role play, provided a platform for young people to express these concerns. With this proposal we hope to penetrate through the politics of these institutions and touch their hearts, so that they can step into right action with heart and head working together. We just have to have faith that these supposedly changing times really are times of CREATIVE CHANGE.