YOUth LEADing Change!
Youth Climate Congresses linking Australia, Central America, Colombia, India, the Maldives and East Timor.
For all the photos, updates, comments and stories from before, during and after the Youth Lead Central America, you can follow us on Facebook and becoming a Fan, or checking out our brilliant photos on Flicker. And please, feel free to become part of the Youth Lead movement and comment, post notes and share your own thoughts and stories.
YOUTH RAISE THEIR VOICES IN CONCERN FOR OUR FUTURE
Antonio (Youth Leader from Papaturro, El Salvador) shares his fears and concerns
From 23 – 25 November, hundreds of young people in 6 different countries gathered together to confront their concerns for our changing climate. Youth delegates met in 13 locations across Australia as well as in El Salvador, Colombia, India and East Timor to take the pulse of our planet, and create their own plans of action to tackle climate change.
The meetings were a part of the YOUth LEADing the World congresses coordinated by OzGREEN and their overseas counterparts. The YOUth LEADing the World congresses are a unique environmental leadership initiative, giving young people the chance to voice their concerns for our environment, our communities and our future.
The youth of the Central American YOUth LEADing The World.
For the first time this year, the Australian program went international with outstanding results. In Central America, Seres (a project founded by Australian engineer Corrina Grace that works to help communities build resilience to climate change) led the charge – providing scholarships for over 75 young environmental champions from remote rural communities across Guatemala and El Salvador to attend the 3-day residential program.
For many of the delegates, it was the furthest they had ever travelled from their communities, and it was certainly the first time that any of them had been given a platform and the support to be able to talk about their hopes, concerns and visions for a sustainable Latin America. “The results were more than I had ever hoped for,” said Co-Facilitator of the Central American congress, Polly Grace. “The power, strength and passion of the visions of these youth – our future leaders…it gives me hope that we really can make the change toward a resilient and sustainable future”
Drawing our vision for sustainable Central America
The results of the 3 days of creative brainstorming, visioning and action-planning included strategies to work with local councils to start recycling and waste management schemes, a youth-led environmental public media and communication initiative, community solar-power schemes and a plan to follow Bolivia’s lead and get the rights of Mother Earth recognised in the Central American constitution.
Throughout the congress, the youth delegates also had the opportunity to share their progress with the other congress locations – dialling in using video conferencing over the internet to compare stories about the local and regional challenges, hopes and objectives. “The international connection is an important step toward recognising our need for an equal share in our planets resources” says OzGREEN CEO Sue Lennox. For the young people from Central America, it was also a wonderful opportunity for them to recognise that they are not alone in their struggles – that there are people listening to their stories and willing to help them.
Jovenes Lideres de Centro America
Just days after finishing the Congress, there is already interest from other Latin American countries to participate in next year’s event. As preparation for this, Seres and OzGREEN are preparing a Facilitator and Leadership Training Program to take place in Australia in October next year – sending selected delegates from this year’s congress and other sustainability leaders from the region for 4 weeks of training, capacity-building, program development and networking.
“This training program is a vital step in building the capacity of sustainability leaders here in Central America” says Seres Founder and Executive Director Corrina Grace. “It will allow us to build the in-country capacity to deliver much-needed relevant and effective programs that work towards community-based climate change adaptation solutions.”
Our youngest youth leaders - 13 & 14 yrs old!
