At 3:09 I got a call from Damian Ryan, one of the delegates from New Zealand, in regard to setting up a meeting. We agreed to touch base tomorrow (Friday) to finalize a lunchtime meeting. At 3:30 I called him back requesting audience with the Minister Responsible for Climate Change Issues, Mr. David Parker of New Zealand. Damian said he would call back with an answer, which he did at around 4:00 as I was in a side event on the interaction of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UNFCCC. I ducked out to answer, and Damian asked if 4:40 would work…hmmm…less than 40 minutes to get a smattering of youth representation, documents printed, and a strategy meeting…SURE!
I ran down to the computer area (where all of those technology-addicted youth spend their time outside of plenary) and was able to round up a computer and 6th youth. I also had enough time to print out the open letter addressed to the minister, and Whit snagged copies of our stakeholder proposal. Rushing out we had about ten minutes to meet and go over our “agenda.” We were given 20 minutes with the minister and we had specific items to cover. Everyone seemed ready, confident, and excited so off headed 2 youth from the US, 1 from South Africa, 1 from Uganda, and 3 from Canada (1 having UK citizenship) to the meeting. Rushing in an greeting the minister, we sat down and peppered out points. We didn’t spend too much time on the letter, as it is for the minister to read at his leisure, but we did flesh out the stakeholder proposal.
The Minister just let us talk and then made a few points. The most poignant, and new to the process was the issue of representative legitimacy. Mr. Parker said, “I believe in representative democracy,” meaning that if we are representing youth, we should not be self-appointed. This, he said, would give us greater legitimacy, and garner wider support. Good point, we all thought, and Jess Duncan was able to take that point and turn it in our favor. She agreed with minister, citing the fact that the Canadians were a representation of those that could access the necessary funds 2 weeks before the COP, and not representative of youth I Canada, or even just the youth in Canada that care about climate change. However, that drives home the point even more that we need help institutionalizing our efforts, and creating a more fair process for representation. Well done!
This topic was a good one to introduce, and has given us something to think about. For my part, I agree in some ways, but not in others. On one hand, yes, the process for youth participation needs more equity, and even distribution of resources. Many youth who should have the opportunity do not get it (youth from New Zealand for example). On the other hand, the world is run by the people who show up. Aside from the resource and informational inequity, the people that care are the ones that should go. We speak on behalf of “youth” in both broad and specific ways. In one way, we speak on behalf of the youth in our organizations at home; the youth that feel that they need to act to help improve life on this planet. A selection, of course, but a selection that cares deeply about the future of those that are youth now–whether those youth care or not. On a more specific level, we speak for the youth that were able to show up, for whatever reason, and we make sure that any statements made on their behalf run through as democratic process as context allows. The letter signed by the “International Youth Delegation at Cop12/COPMOP2” really is supported by all of the youth here. They may not all fully understand the intricacies of the policy, but the policy team is trusted and transparent.
Legitimacy is a good question, and one we need to ask more openly and address directly. I know that we all try our hardest to be inclusive and regard ourselves as servants of the youth voice, but I know that there is always room for improvement. Besides, New Zealand is cool, and so is Mr. Parker, we should savor the opportunity to learn from those elders that we hold in high regard. Thank you again to Mr. Parker for your time and advice, and we hope you can support us anyway possible in the future.
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I think you provide some good insights and Jess brings up a good point that youth who have access to the necessary fund two weeks before the COP are the ones going. Yes the people who care about the issues and show up are the ones that should be there. But what about the people who don’t have the money, the youth from a demographic that is often times not heard and continues to not be heard because of the lack of funds.
There does need to be a shift in how we spend our money. These conferences are intense, beautiful, inspiring, and life-altering but we need to ask ourselves, am I the right person to be here? Is there enough representation of youth of color, indigenous youth, and youth from a low-income background?
I think we often times don’t remember or don’t think about the people who do need to be at these conferences, that should be there. People that do have something to say and do care about the issues but lack the necessary funds to get themselves there. Sometimes we think, well I represent youth broadly, on a larger feild but if we don’t bring more youth to the table, if we don’t have a more diverse group of students, how are we representative of a larger youth movement?
This was a good peice! Great food for thought!
The reference to giving youth a more legitimate representative role is something that needs to be exercised not only at a UNFCCC level but also in all democracies. Indeed, there have been many times when a youth perspective would have influenced decisions made by the New Zealand government had there been an effective representation of those youth who the decision would affect. Thats awesome you guys got to meet David, from what I’ve heard he is held in high regard in NZ (and is working hard on increasing our climate goals). Good on you.
I am a 75 year old pensioner and I have been reading your stories as they unfold from day to day. I am exhilarated by both your enthusiam and commmittment. But more than that, the articulation of your analysis and assesments is a joy to read. I belong to that group of people who from misguided thinking have created the problems for you to solve. I am deeply sorry that you have fix our mess
Of course, if you could be democratically representive of youth, that would make your voice stronger. But think of the energy needed to acheive that goal, compared with the alternative of true leadership. Think about the many great leaders of the world. Were they all democratally elected? No
Only the strength of your own leadership will win the day. Albert Eistein said “Politics is more difficult that physics” and he was and still is right. Don’t be disheartening, but be persistent and patient in a calculating manner. Remember today’s world events are being driven by international finance. Find the trigger points and WEAK LINKS in the financial system that climate change will have the maxium consequence and go after your target with a clear head.
You can see the media response to Stern’s work. You can’t replicate his method, but I suggest it is possible for you to find your own uniquie way that can be even more powerful.
Above all do not spread yourselves to thinly by just peppering the topic. No doubt you have found it can destroy enthusium pretty quickly. LISTEN and THINK and PLAN and ACT STATEGICALLY. With a lot of passion, that is not coloured by bias or emotiion.
Someone amongst you will find the solution to the puzzle. The very biggest lesson in my life was when I discovered that I could solve most (not all) problems when I took the time to find the right QUESTION to ask myself. When I acheived this “my holy grail” I would almost always, discover the answer was very simple and I would ask myself “Oh why did it take you so long”
Good Luck with your endevours and keep writing your stories from your heart. You never know who may read them and do something to make a difference
Yours Sincerly
Merv Couper
Great thoughts all,
I agree with them all, and that is the hard part, stretegy is important, and so is passion, but sometimes they don’t fit and sometimes they do!
KEep it coming, John