HLPF 2019 _Side Event – Don Bosco Green Alliance

YOUTH ASPIRATIONS & CLIMATE URGENCY

A conversation on the hopes and demands of grassroots activists in a world threatened by climate crisis

An HLPF 2019 Side Event

11 July 2019

14:00 to 15:30 Hrs.

Commonwealth Joint Office

685 Third Avenue, Suite 1102,

New York, NY 11017

About the event

The event brings young people into a conversation about their hopes and aspirations in a world that is threatened by the adverse effects of climate change. The event is a platform for youngsters to discuss and explore how they are responding physically, emotionally and economically in a world that is facing temperature rise that will lead to extreme weather events with the potential to wreak havoc on their futures. It will also address the need for climate mitigation through agriculture by enhancing sustainable livelihoods and the importance of household food and nutrition security. Through this event, they look forward to building partnerships across geographies, ideologies, race, gender and beliefs for building youth resilience towards climate change, and to ensure that the voice and participation of the young inform decision making at all levels.

OBJECTIVES

Involving young people on decision making for a sustainable future
Capacity building on physical and mental resilience towards climate change
Understanding why young people have lost hope and confidence in global leadership
Discuss capacity building for climate resilience through sustainable agriculture
Address the needs of young people from least developed countries and small island developing states
Underline strategies for reducing risks posed to them due to rising temperatures and sea levels

OUTCOMES

Greater emphasis on increasing participation, including youth in global decision making
Enumerate the best practices for resilience and increase adaptive capacities of youth towards adverse effects of climate change
Accentuate the strengthening of societal structures necessary for physical and mental well-being amongst young people
Underline the need for climate mitigation through sustainable agriculture
Consolidation of civil society relationships, alliances, and networks from around the world, specifically including young people to work towards greater participation in realizing the goals of SDG 13

Speakers

September Kelokelo

Papua New Guinea

September Kelokelo from Papua New Guinea has graduated with a Diploma in Electronics Technology. The current changes in weather patterns, which are causing unexpected environmental effects that especially threaten small islands, has driven her to get actively involved in environmental issues.

Santiago Corrales

Panama

Santiago Corrales is a student at Don Bosco Technical Insitute, Panama City, Panama. He is presently the president of the Eco Club in the institute. He stronly believes that “we need a human heart to take care of God’s creation.” He is working to bring people together as a team to address the many environmental issues he is locally facing in Panama.

Rebecca Petz

Germany

Rebecca Petz is currently studying for the master program in ‘Peace and Conflict Studies’ in Germany. She has been researching the impact of climate change on natural resources, and how this leads to conflict. Rebecca firmly believes that climate change is impacting the future of young people, and hence, governments and large industrial companies must be held accountable for their inaction.

Abigail Gyabaa

Ghana

Abigail Gyabaa is from Ghana. Africa is a ‘young’ continent’ and Abigail is keenly aware that climate change is negatively impacting the possibilities and opportunities available to young people in Africa. She is a member of Don Bosco Youth Network West Africa (DBYN) and is actively engaged in addressing environmental concerns.

William Keyah

Ghana

William Keyah, is from Kenya. He currently works across the East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, and South Sudan in promotion of Sustainable Agriculture among small holder marginalized households. He is a small holder farmer, passionate about sustainable agriculture and concerned about climate change effects natural resources, and how this leads to conflict.

Savio Silveira

India

Fr. Savio Silveira SDB is a passionate environmentalist and an expert in environmental education. A staunch supporter of Laudato Si’, he firmly believes that “caring for our common home” should be a key global priority. In the typical Salesian manner, he focuses on getting young people involved in environmental action. As Convener of the Don Bosco Green Alliance, he provides strategic leadership and works at building up the alliance.