Op-Ed: Overlooked No More: Empowering Youth Voices in Global Climate-Change Negotiations

Published in Journal of Science Policy & Governance Volume 22, Issue 02
Authors

Julian Campisi (1), Miriam Hird-Younger (2), Evvan Morton (3), Hamangai Pataxó (4), Fany Ramos Quispe (5), Sergio Richard Romero Nina (6), Laila Thomaz Sandroni (7)
Publication year 2023
DOI https://doi.org/10.38126/JSPG220203
Affiliations
  1. Department of Political Science, University of Toronto-Scarborough, Canada
  2. Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Carleton University, Canada
  3. AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow, US Department of Energy, USA
  4. Youth Activist, Coordinator of the gender working group, Engajamundo Youth Organization, Bahia
  5. IAI STeP Fellow, The Belmont Forum
  6. Youth activist, Thojpa-Bolivia
  7. IAI STeP Fellow, The Science Program
IAI Program

Policy (STeP) Fellowship Program
IAI Project Policy (STeP) Fellowship Program
Keywords
climate change
multilateralism
youth
barriers
negotiations
COP
science diplomacy
PDFOpEd Overlooked No More Empowering Youth Voices in Global Climate Change Negotiations.pdf

Abstract

Youth participation in climate change negotiations has increased over the last decade however, youth voices are still underrepresented. The diversity of youth activists in the Americas and the sheer number of youth-led organizations belies any stereotypes about disinterested youth. Youth care about both the present and the future of our planet are organizing and have many voices. Yet, there are currently weak institutional mechanisms to integrate these voices into climate negotiations beyond showcasing experiences. Youth must be included in collaborative and transdisciplinary ways. We recommend opportunities that have had success in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), which help youth to engage in discussions with policymakers to inform climate negotiations. These recommendations include the following: 1) institutionalizing formal national and regional youth councils and committees to strengthen collaboration between young people and decision-makers 2) creating and expanding  training programs for youth on climate negotiations 3) using science diplomacy as a key tool to enhance science-based and collaborative efforts for youth engagement and 4) developing strategies to navigate the diversity of expertise, scientific knowledge, and inclusion of youth to address equitable climate solutions.