United Nations Climate Change Conference 2011, Durban, South Africa
Report by Sikander Sabeer from Durban City
8th of December was a very big day to me,I was able to do my first ever major event in United Nations Conference. In the morning hours I was able to do a mini side event on Rio+20 Campaign along with International Road to Rio+20 Campaign partners in the Climate Studio. I was able to share my experience on my National Road to Rio+20 Campaign with the audience.
Organized a Major side event on youth engagement and mobilization on UNFCCC and UNCSD process by Climate Activists, UNCSD Heads and youth Climate ambassadors followed by launching of visual documentary “Make It Green Again” made by Sri Lankan Youth to address Climate Change using digital media. I believe our voice should be heard by the policy makers and negotiators before they make a decision. This side event focused on how youth can raise their voice which makes a change by participating in the UNFCCC and UNCSD Process. Opening remarks by Henry de Cazotte – Special Advisor to Brice Lalonde – Executive Coordinator for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) and Youth perspective on Rio+20 by Kiara Worth – Major Group for Children and Youth – UN Commission on Sustainable Development and Rio+20. Mr. Nnimmo Bassey gave a Key note address on youth engagement and mobilization on UNFCCC process and Youth perspective on UNFCCC process by Jemie peterf from YOUNGO Bottom Line team and I spoke about my perspective on UNFCCC and UNCSD process and launched the MIGA audio visual song followed by closing speech by Mr. Hemantha Withanage on Climate justice and Youth. I believe this was the first ever Sri Lankan Youth did a major side event in UNFCCC.
Make It Green Again is a project of British Council’s International Climate Champion and initiated by Earthlanka.net (www.earthlanka.net) with the support of many other organizations in Sri Lanka. This project is being endorsed by the Ministry of Environment (Western Province), UNFCCC Secretariat, UNIC- Colombo, and South African High Commission. we believe that the introduction of an audio visual component will enrich the experience of participants and can also be used as a tool to create awareness, sensitivity and interest among peer groups and local communities to act on climate change and environment degrading practices. Hence we the bunch of youth proposes to produce a song and music video relating to the theme of the event by inviting local talent to showcase their awareness on environmental issues and creativity. These productions will not just be tools for awareness raising, but will also be viewed as a contribution from Sri Lanka’s to this global platform in Durban Opera singers, Rock Guitarists and leading artistes, in Sri Lanka will be involved in these productions; The Song composed as an Orchestra. This project is supported by several leading cooperates, business entities, diplomats, youth organizations and individuals.
In the evening I attended a online meeting with Commonwealth Youth Climate Network Secretariat, CEO of CYCN in London and Focal Point for Asia pacific in Singapore via Cisco network and met few journalists and media people.
FAQs