[ African Youth Initiative on Climate Change ]

About AYICC Conference

The AYICC conference, which was held concurrently and in conjunction with the COY2, provided a forum for African youth to develop the foundations for the AYICC. The conference included an Interim Council, that ensured the success of the AYICC following COP12. Parallel sessions took place to form the coalition and to start preparing for the official launch.

In 2006, the international Conference of Youth 2 (COY2) and the African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC), strived to build on the successes of youth engagement at COP10 & COP11. The COP 12 conference in Kenya, the heart of Africa, provided a unique opportunity to empower, capacitate and mobilise youth, particularly in the region to address global challenges such as climate change. The ultimate aim of COY2/AYICC was to build African youth capacity to participate effectively in climate solutions domestically, internationally and within the UNFCCC framework. Anticipated projects arising from the conference also provided African youth the opportunity to develop skills and tools to increase their involvement in concrete actions, raise awareness of the impacts of climate change and develop a network of international youth contacts. Additionally, the capacity-building conference produced a Proposal for a Permanent Youth Advisory Committee on Climate Change; delegates officially signed-on to the Montreal COP12 Youth Declaration to which they will append a Regional Youth Resolution on a COP12 topic important to African youth. Such activities inadvertently provided a platform to build the foundations for the AYICC.

Background

Youth and Climate Change

Young people have the greatest stake in whether or not the world succeeds in its quest to address climate change within the context of sustainable development. They have the most to lose if national leaders particularly in developing countries fail in addressing climate change adaptation and mitigation responses.

Engaging youth in actions to address climate change is a critical element to any nation's strategy, and a significant contribution to sustainable development for years to come. Youth are a key segment of society and have proven to be an important group on actions to address environmental issues in the past. Youth are also a key point of influence for other segments of society (e.g., families and communities). If communities and citizens come to understand what the risks of climate change are and how they can play a role in reducing the impact of climate change, they can become an integral part of the solution. Youth are an important source of creativity, enthusiasm and drive for any actions to address climate change.

Youth Challenges and Engagement

Youth have long been recognized by the global community as key contributors to the implementation of a sustainable future. Agenda 21 affirmed that the participation of youth in the decision-making process is imperative and noted that youth have unique perspectives that need to be considered. It also urged governments to include youth representatives in their national delegations at international meetings. The 2002 Johannesburg Plan of Implementation reiterated the need for youth involvement in programmes and activities related to sustainable development.

The importance of engaging the next generation of decision makers - those who will feel the brunt of the negative impacts of climate change - has been widely agreed upon, yet youth participation within the UNFCCC process has been insubstantial and has not received continued financial support. The engagement of youth in the international climate change process has always been left to the prerogative of the host country or civil society. Nevertheless, today's youth and future generations will inherit the climate system in whichever way current governments decide to leave it. As such, it is imperative that youth actively participate in the UNFCC negotiation process and the development of international and domestic climate change policies and programs.

Africa - The Context

Most African countries have ratified the UNFCCC although their contribution to global warming is very low. Indeed, the rate of emissions of greenhouse gases released in Africa remains negligible due to the low degree of industrialisation in the continent. Even though Africa produces less than 7% of global emissions and only 4% of CO2 emissions, it is one of the regions of the world that is most vulnerable to climate change. The reasons for this vulnerability include susceptibility to recurrent droughts, a limited capacity for adaptation and agricultural dependence on limited and/or over-exploited water resources. This vulnerability to climate change, among African countries, could translate into forced population movement, political instability as a result of exacerbated conflicts around access to natural resources, considerable reductions in biological diversity, damage to coastal zones, rising sea levels and risks of land submersions as well as an increase in the salinity of ground water.

At the same time, there have been corresponding limitations on the ability of African representatives, including youth, to increase awareness of the realities of climate change on African countries. This includes constraints on the ability of African people to link the realities of climate change on African communities, economies and peoples to international discussions and policy development.

It is in light of these serious drawbacks that the need for pre-COP workshops, networking and capacity building can not be over emphasized.

Specific Goals

Build links between African youth working on climate change, adaptation and development issues
Educate African youth, and other international youth delegations in attendance, on international policy development and promote the exchange of intergenerational and intra-generational knowledge on the international climate change regime
Promote youth lead initiatives to derive climate change solutions
Provide a support network to aid in the pursuit of permanent representation for African youth
Develop a proposal for Permanent International Youth Advisory Committee on Climate to the UNFCCC Secretariat
Host an official sign-on to the Montreal COP12 Youth Declaration and append a Regional Youth Resolution developed by youth delegates on a COP12 topic important to African youth
Build on the momentum established at COPs 10 and 11 to further engage youth in the international process

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About AYICC AYICC Founding Conference AYICC Structure, Goals & Activities AYICC at COP13 in Bali Publications Climate Change Information Contributors AYICC Funding Opportunities Contact Us Home			About AYICC Conference The AYICC conference, which was held concurrently and in conjunction with the COY2, provided a forum for African youth to develop the foundations for the AYICC. The conference included an Interim Council, that ensured the success of the AYICC following COP12. Parallel sessions took place to form the coalition and to start preparing for the official launch. In 2006, the international Conference of Youth 2 (COY2) and the African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC), strived to build on the successes of youth engagement at COP10 & COP11. The COP 12 conference in Kenya, the heart of Africa, provided a unique opportunity to empower, capacitate and mobilise youth, particularly in the region to address global challenges such as climate change. The ultimate aim of COY2/AYICC was to build African youth capacity to participate effectively in climate solutions domestically, internationally and within the UNFCCC framework. Anticipated projects arising from the conference also provided African youth the opportunity to develop skills and tools to increase their involvement in concrete actions, raise awareness of the impacts of climate change and develop a network of international youth contacts. Additionally, the capacity-building conference produced a Proposal for a Permanent Youth Advisory Committee on Climate Change; delegates officially signed-on to the Montreal COP12 Youth Declaration to which they will append a Regional Youth Resolution on a COP12 topic important to African youth. Such activities inadvertently provided a platform to build the foundations for the AYICC. Background Youth and Climate Change Young people have the greatest stake in whether or not the world succeeds in its quest to address climate change within the context of sustainable development. They have the most to lose if national leaders particularly in developing countries fail in addressing climate change adaptation and mitigation responses. Engaging youth in actions to address climate change is a critical element to any nation's strategy, and a significant contribution to sustainable development for years to come. Youth are a key segment of society and have proven to be an important group on actions to address environmental issues in the past. Youth are also a key point of influence for other segments of society (e.g., families and communities). If communities and citizens come to understand what the risks of climate change are and how they can play a role in reducing the impact of climate change, they can become an integral part of the solution. Youth are an important source of creativity, enthusiasm and drive for any actions to address climate change. Youth Challenges and Engagement Youth have long been recognized by the global community as key contributors to the implementation of a sustainable future. Agenda 21 affirmed that the participation of youth in the decision-making process is imperative and noted that youth have unique perspectives that need to be considered. It also urged governments to include youth representatives in their national delegations at international meetings. The 2002 Johannesburg Plan of Implementation reiterated the need for youth involvement in programmes and activities related to sustainable development. The importance of engaging the next generation of decision makers - those who will feel the brunt of the negative impacts of climate change - has been widely agreed upon, yet youth participation within the UNFCCC process has been insubstantial and has not received continued financial support. The engagement of youth in the international climate change process has always been left to the prerogative of the host country or civil society. Nevertheless, today's youth and future generations will inherit the climate system in whichever way current governments decide to leave it. As such, it is imperative that youth actively participate in the UNFCC negotiation process and the development of international and domestic climate change policies and programs. Africa - The Context Most African countries have ratified the UNFCCC although their contribution to global warming is very low. Indeed, the rate of emissions of greenhouse gases released in Africa remains negligible due to the low degree of industrialisation in the continent. Even though Africa produces less than 7% of global emissions and only 4% of CO2 emissions, it is one of the regions of the world that is most vulnerable to climate change. The reasons for this vulnerability include susceptibility to recurrent droughts, a limited capacity for adaptation and agricultural dependence on limited and/or over-exploited water resources. This vulnerability to climate change, among African countries, could translate into forced population movement, political instability as a result of exacerbated conflicts around access to natural resources, considerable reductions in biological diversity, damage to coastal zones, rising sea levels and risks of land submersions as well as an increase in the salinity of ground water. At the same time, there have been corresponding limitations on the ability of African representatives, including youth, to increase awareness of the realities of climate change on African countries. This includes constraints on the ability of African people to link the realities of climate change on African communities, economies and peoples to international discussions and policy development. It is in light of these serious drawbacks that the need for pre-COP workshops, networking and capacity building can not be over emphasized. Specific Goals Build links between African youth working on climate change, adaptation and development issues Educate African youth, and other international youth delegations in attendance, on international policy development and promote the exchange of intergenerational and intra-generational knowledge on the international climate change regime Promote youth lead initiatives to derive climate change solutions Provide a support network to aid in the pursuit of permanent representation for African youth Develop a proposal for Permanent International Youth Advisory Committee on Climate to the UNFCCC Secretariat Host an official sign-on to the Montreal COP12 Youth Declaration and append a Regional Youth Resolution developed by youth delegates on a COP12 topic important to African youth Build on the momentum established at COPs 10 and 11 to further engage youth in the international process HOME