Right now in Bali the Environment Ministers and Negotiators of all nations are participating in the GC/GMEF. The major theme is ‘Environment in the Multilateral System’, discussing : 1) International Environmental Governance and Sustainable Development 2) Biodiversity and Ecosystems 3) Green Economy
Above and beyond the government delegates are one seat for each nine major groups in plenary; NGOs, Indigenous Peoples, Women, Farmers, Local Authorities, Scientific & Technological Communities, Business & Industry, Workers & Trade Unions, and Children & Youth. Sara Svenson spook for the Children and Youth and below is her speech.
Children & Youth Intervention
Opening Plenary, UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum, 24 February 2010
Thank you Mr Chair.
Distinguished Delegates,
My name is Sara Svensson, and I will be 65 years old in 2050. I’m here as a representative for half of the world’s human population, Children & Youth.
We are desperately aware that humanity is on track of driving ourselves into extinction. Millions of species with intrinsic value have already gone extinct because of shortsighted human activities. Pushing the deadline for biodiversity targets literally means crossing the line to death. Despite this, 2010 is called the International Year of Biodiversity.
Where is our reason to celebrate?
In 2009, millions of people all over the world mobilised in the lead-up to Copenhagen. Personally I was fasting for climate justice. I spent 43 days and 44 nights eating nothing and drinking only water. I felt a moral response was needed to an immoral situation. COP15 didn’t give us the climate deal we need. United Nations became the Divided Nations and observers were locked out of the room.
Where is our reason to celebrate?
In desperate urgency, we now have a choice. We can raise to the challenge, restructure our economies, redefine our common values and do what is best for the greater good. The world needs a a total paradigm shift, and we have the tremendous opportunity to make it happen.
That is our reason to celebrate.
Children & Youth announce with confidence that the sustainable future is coming. We’re not pleading for change anymore, we’re creating it ourselves. Over the next 40 years we’re committing our entire working lives to gradually transform our societies and create a sustainable future.
If we can’t trust you - as our appointed leaders - to save the world, it won’t take long before Children & Youth kick you out of office and take your place.
You can speed up the process by showing bold leadership today. Give us the green jobs we want. You have the power, we have the energy. Use your power to give us the framework we need, and we’ll use our passion to steer the world on course.
Thank you. ” by Sara Svensson
Sara’s conclusion parallels my hopes and aspirations. She speaks how our generation is committing our entire working lives to gradually transform our world, I am trying in my own right with www.(re)cover.me
Sara continues to say that we will continue to push our leaders until we have to replace them, and I too believe in the strength of dedicated leadership. We do have the energy- and we have the wisdom of a global world. We grew up learning from people in different situations, different cultures. What I know I learnt from experience + traveling + school.. our generation has been so blessed to be able to learn beyond the books and documentaries but to have lived experiences that mould us to be a leader who understands the need for diversity and sustainability. We have been given such true global wisdom, it’s our obligation to share it and if those with the power don’t listen then it’s our obligation to lead with that global wisdom.
