Today there was a focus on young and future generations at the conference, and in the early afternoon "youth" was given a chance to speak with Mr Yvo De Boer. A number of young people spoke and "adult" members of delegations (and Mr De Boer) responded.
I (and Ginger) were sat beside a social anthropology PhD student who, before the speeches began, asked us some thought-provoking questions; What role do youth play at the conference? Is there more to the youth movement than the flamboyant "actions" that are played out in the NGO arena each day? Given that we rarely hear about youth driven policies is there a deficit in the communication of the youth agenda i.e. do only the boisterous get a look in? and finally what will youth's role be going forward in international negotiations? Ginger and I gave woefully inadequate responses but it certainly gave us something to think about for the next 90 minutes...
The first and most passionate speech was from Ruchi, an Indian girl, who told of her own experience in Mumbai's 2005 deadly floods. She asked political leaders whether they had the gumption to lead us in a low carbon society and she proclaimed that young people were relying on the negotiators to come to an effective agreement for climate change. She focused on the trust installed in these leaders from all young people to reach a just deal and her emotional oratory received a standing ovation from many. The stray butterfly in the room certainly made it compelling stuff.
Mr De Boer was given the chance to respond and offered succinct and sage advice. He said (and I paraphrase because I cant do shorthand sorry) I am worried. Worried that you have emphasised the strong trust you have that an effective agreement will be reached. Trust is something you earn and not something you are given. This process has still to earn my trust. An interesting statement by itself, but all the more intriguing when analysed with regard to the social anthropologists questions.
I think few would debate that the presence of youth at the conference as a reminder to negotiators of those who will truely be effected by climate change is vital. Not least because youth's inexperience and hope allows more radical debates to be discussed in the interests of education. However, questions can be asked as to how can youth most effectively use their position. Is it sufficient for youth to provide a vocal and pertinent reminder that they must be considered in deliberations? Or should youth take an active role in suggesting policies and critically analysing (both positive and negative aspects) of the proposed regime? My current perception is that if the latter approach exists, there is a danger that it is being drowned out by snappy slogans.
This was highlighted in this afternoon's event. The second youth speaker was a young guy named Thomas (sorry didnt catch his last name or home country). He gave a less emotive more restrained speech which called for better technology, competitive clean energy and approaches which encouraged mainstream voices of both companies and individuals to join together to combat climate change. He asked for a shift in discussions from the "right to emit" to the "right to take part in what comes next" and he called for youth to become the first ever global generation. It was a call to action but action of a somewhat different nature than that traditionally associated with youth movements, perhaps no better or worse but certainly different. Unfortunately by the time Thomas' took to the podium the numbers in the room had reduced and he wasnt given the priviledge of a response from Mr De Boer. Nor, much to the pity, did he receive a standing ovation.
At the end of the session a document was passed around which highlighted and reinforced the youth position to the negotiators (please see attached photo). Whilst fundamentally a sentiment based document - there are no CDM amendments or alternatives mentioned here - I think it offered an interesting insight into how youth can become or is becoming (hopefully) more engaged in the process through interaction rather than reaction.
I have no doubt that youth are closely following the negotiations and have a greater insight into the process than perhaps media reports would suggest (you only have to look at the fossil of the day and adopt a negotiator to realise that) however at this moment my perception is that youth is relegated to critising the process and dealing with large moral issues rather than being given the ability to suggest possible solutions to the problem. Surely this is the only way in which youth can truely engage in the process and ultimately determine our own future.
I'm clearly very new to the international youth scene so I look forward to learning more about it in the coming days!! I'd also welcome and encourage comments with other people's perceptions. (if you haven't given up reading this extensively lengthy post...)
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