Young people want to be part of the action to tackle climate change

The call came on International Youth Day, being observed in 2008 on Tuesday, 12 August, under the theme Youth and Climate Change: Time for Action.

“As young people we have a particular interest in a sustainable future and a sustainable Commonwealth,” said Matthew Albert, Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Caucus, which includes representatives from all Commonwealth countries.

“We are the inheritors of the actions of those who have come before and the innovators who can rectify the consequences.”

He pointed out climate change is having far-reaching impacts on young people across the Commonwealth, noting that they were particularly vulnerable to food shortage, rising food costs and affected by conflict caused by the inability to share natural resources.

Director and Head of the Youth Affairs Division at the Commonwealth Secretariat, Dr Fatiha Serour said International Youth Day gives the world an opportunity to recognise the potential of youth and celebrate their achievements.

“Climate change complicates the challenges that young people face,” Dr Serour observed. “However, young people are increasingly adding their voices to the call for action on climate change.”

To mark International Youth Day, 20 youth leaders were to hold a roundtable discussion at the Commonwealth’s headquarters in London, on the theme ‘Tackling Climate Change: A Commonwealth Agenda for Young People’. The outcome of the discussion will form part of a youth position paper on climate change.

Secretariat Links:

• Commonwealth Youth Programme
• Sustainability