Youth4Climate Live Series

Launch meeting: expectations and potential of young people

On June 26th, at 4.00 p.m. (Italian time), the launch meeting of the programme of virtual events wanted by the Ministry of the Environment to promote the widest possible discussion in view of the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change and related events, such as Pre-COP26 and youth event, which will be held in Milan next year.

The meeting was opened by two moderators, Salina Abraham, senior official of the Global Landscapes Forum and outgoing President of the International Forestry Students' Association, and Ahmed Badr, founder of Narratio and former Iraqi refugee, and messages from Italian Environment Minister Sergio Costa, President of COP26, British Energy Minister Alok Sharma and UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa.

Among the speakers: Marie-Claire Graf, young Swiss activist (YOUNGO focal point), Elizabeth Wathuti, environmental activist from Kenya, Selina Neirok Leem, environmental activist, Marshall Islands.

June 26, 2020 #Youth4Climate Live Series - Launch Event
Virtual event video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHey5ARO1ig [1]
Time: 16:00 CEST - 10:00 - 11:00 AM EDT
Type: open
Format: discussion, italian translation available
Description The session launched and introduced the #Youth4Climate virtual event series, exploring what youth expectations are for the series and setting out where we’ve come from, where we are, and where we want to go in regards to stronger youth engagement. Moderators Salina Abraham and Ahmed Badr introduced the series and led the conversation between the live guests while encouraging interaction with the young audience through Q&As, polls, and games to ensure broader engagement. Pre-recorded video messages from high-level speakers such as Environment Minister Sergio Costa (Italy), COP26 President Alok Sharma (U.K. - TBC) and UNFCCC Executive Secretary Ms. Patricia Espinosa (TBC) sparked a dynamic discussion between three representatives of the global youth climate movement about their expectations and recommendations in the lead-up to Pre-COP and COP26.
Documents: Concept note [2]
ITEM AND SPEAKERS
Moderators
Salina Abraham Senior officer at the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF), outgoing President of the International Forestry Students’ Association and former coordinator of the Youth in Landscapes Initiative.
Ahmed Badr Writer, multi-media artist, social entrepreneur, the Founder of Narratio and a former Iraqi refugee working at the intersection of creativity, displacement, and youth empowerment.
High-level pre-recorded video messages
Sergio Costa, Minister for Environment, Land and sea (Italy), introduced Italy’s partnership with the UK and its role as host of the Pre-COP and in-person Youth4Climate: Driving Ambition event.
Alok Sharma, COP26 President and Secretary of State for the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (TBC), introduced the UK’s partnership with Italy and its role as host of COP26, outlining the priorities of the upcoming COP.
Patricia Espinosa, UNFCCC Executive Secretary (TBC), introduced the main outcomes of COP25 and highlighted the importance of youth voices within the COP process.
Youth leaders
Marie-Claire Graf YOUNGO Focal and youth advocate for sustainable development and climate action.
Elizabeth Wathuti Environmental and climate activist from Kenya, the fourth recipient of Wangari Maathai Scholarship Award and founder of Green Generation Initiative, which nurtures young people to love nature and be conscious of the environment.
Selina Neirok Leem Environmental Activist, Marshall Islands.

Youth4Climate Live Series - Launch Event