At the Intergenerational Inquiry organised by YOUNGO, the official youth constituency at the UNFCCC, Troika+ members Ms. Christiana Figueres, Ambassador Dessima Williams and Mary Robinson discussed the role and importance of youth in the UNFCCC process. D
At the Intergenerational Inquiry organised by YOUNGO, the official youth constituency at the UNFCCC, on 29 November 2012 Troika+ members Ms. Christiana Figueres, Ambassador Dessima Williams and Mary Robinson discussed the role and importance of youth in the UNFCCC process. During the inquiry, youth representatives were invited to pose questions to the panel and the panellists in turn posed questions back to the audience.
Ambassador Williams conceded that it is difficult to get quick decisions in multilateral processes such as the UNFCCC. She called for a spirit of cooperation instead of “the hide-and-seek cat-and-mouse way negotiations are taking place”. Ambassador Williams encouraged the youth present from varying parts of the world to link together and form a global forum, noting “in the unity of your differences you will get the strength to transform.”
Mary Robinson challenged youth on their role in addressing the lack of urgency on climate change and encouraged youth to use social media to engage in the issue. “Young people should be getting agitated and angry”. She called for youth to unite in creating a constituency of demand for climate justice.
There was a break away from the usual formalities of side events with the introduction of a climate change game. Panellists and audience members both participated in the game, designed to highlight how time is running out to tackle climate change.
A Child-Centred Approach to Climate Change Adaptation: Opportunities and Challenges was the focus of a side event organised by the Children in a Changing Climate Coalition which involves Plan International, Save the Children, World Vision and UNICEF.
The event was moderated by Pablo Suarez, Associate Director for Research and Innovation at the Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre. Panellists shared their views on opportunities and challenges for integrating child-centred approaches to climate change adaptation.
Mary Robinson highlighted the potential of children to focus not just on adaptation but also on mitigation. Speaking about her own grandchildren and her concerns for their future she said “children remind us that we need to take intergenerational decisions”.
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