Future Generations Day
Source: uniteforclimate.org
Notes by Mark Cheng, a World Ocean Network participant at COP16 (more info click here)
December 2 is a special day at COP 16: A day dedicated to youth and future generations. We call it Young and Future Generations (YoFuGe) Day. We think it is important to recognize the role of young people in the UNFCCC negotiations, since we are the once, who are going to experience the consequences of climate change at a large scale. We celebrated this day with a lot of actions and side events all over the two venues of the COP: Cancún Messe and Moon Palace.
The first action of the day took place at the point w here all the official country delegates are passing in the morning, to catch a shuttle bus to Moon Palace. The youths were standing in two rows wearing our blue Young and Future Generations Day t-shirts with a quote on the back:
“You have been negotiating my whole life – you cannot tell me you need more time.” - by a 17-year old girl from the Solomon Islands last year at COP 15.
Non-formal Peer education and article 6: youth organizations lead the way to tackle climate change
By YOUNGO - Notes by Mark Cheng, a World Ocean Network participant at COP16 (more info click here)
Some country recognizes youths to be in junior delegation such as Philippines & Africa. The event, which included a UNFCCC representative, presented how youths implement Article 6 and showcased how their roles affected negotiation, with statistics showing that things are getting better kudos to YOUNGO.
A guide has also been created by older youths detailing the jargons used by the COP16/CMP6 for younger youths. Plans to have more non-formal education among the youths are underway.
Some projects accomplished include:
1. Mexico: Youth collect hair from hair-dressers and barbers to make boons to contain the recent gulf oil spill.
2. Australia: Storm drains painted with strips by youths to distinct and instil prevention from dumping of waste water.
3. Kenya: Every youth who joined the green youth club is required to plant a tree, and have since planted 10 million trees as of today.
