Empowering youth to act on climate change is of paramount importance to effectively address this challenge. In this context, a new Youth Leadership Camp for Climate Crisis (YLCCC) was held in Indonesia, from 24 to 26 January 2020. The event was organized by UNESCO Office, Jakarta, UN CC:Learn and the Climate Reality Project Indonesia.
Throughout the three days, 51 Indonesian students and young professionals gathered in the Belambangan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, in East Java, to enhance their understanding of climate change, develop their communication skills and learn how to leverage social media to better disseminate their messages and promote climate solutions.
The invigorating landscape of the Belambangan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve provided the perfect ambiance for debates on climate change-related topics. There, participants took part in multiple learning sessions covering different issues – from climate science, the international legal framework and the commitments in the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the impact of climate change on biodiversity. They also increased their knowledge in the area of effective communications, went on field visits, exchanged ideas and learned from each other. The discussions focused on how to mobilize other young people in communicating and acting to address the negative consequences of climate change.
As a follow-up, a 2-month monitoring period allows students to receive continuous support in the development and dissemination of videos, images and social media content. The group with the most interactive communication platform will receive an award. Success stories and good practices from the youth camp will be also produced and disseminated through different communications channels.
This programme builds on the Youth Leadership Camps on Climate Change (YLCCC) that were held in 2017 and brought together 150 youth representatives from several regions across Indonesia to engage in discussions on climate change and its related issues. It contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 13 (Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts) and 15 (Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss) as well as the implementation of the National Climate Change Learning Strategy of Indonesia.
For further information please visit:
https://en.unesco.org/news/youth-gather-belambangan-biosphere-reserve-address-climate-crisis
Check out the 2017 edition:
https://www.uncclearn.org/news/empowering-youth-lead-climate-change