How Jamaica got Youth Climate Action Engagement Right

Jamaica is increasingly cited as a model of meaningful youth engagement. Here Environment and Climate Change Minister Pearnel Charles Jr plants trees with a young environmentalist. Credit: NDC PartnershipBy Alison KentishDOMINICA, Sep 21 2021 (IPS) When the NDC Partnership, the alliance which helps governments to determine and achieve their climate goals, held its first-ever Global Youth Engagement Forum in July, several segments were underpinned by Jamaica’s model of engaging young people and sustaining youth interest in climate initiatives. The Caribbean country, a co-chair of the NDC Partnership, has committed to ensuring that youth have a say on national climate programs, through representation on boards such as the Climate Advisory Body and the NDC Partnership. Environment and Climate Change Minister Pearnel Charles Jr told IPS that policymakers are committed to a well-defined and permanent space for young people in climate change decision-making. He spoke to IPS on Jamaica’s blueprint for youth engagement, how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted plans for an on-the-ground campaign to meet youth at primary, secondary, and tertiary education institutions and why engagement must be universal and equitable. Excerpts of the interview follow: Inter Press Service (IPS): Why is it so important for you that space at the center of climate discussion and action is dedicated to young people? Pearnel Charles Jr (PC): The best use of our time and energy and the best investment th...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Biodiversity Climate Action Climate Change Climate Innovation Conservation COVID-19 Development & Aid Environment Featured Headlines Humanitarian Emergencies Latin America & the Caribbean TerraViva United Nations ​ #ClimateActi Source Type: news