Background

The impacts of climate change have become a serious threat to the lives of children and youth. A study conducted by Save the Children in 2020 found that children born in 2020 experienced disasters 3.4 times more often than their grandparents born in 1960. The disasters involved climate change such as heatwaves, droughts, forest fires, floods and crop failures, putting additional pressure on the environment necessary for children’s growth and protection. Another study conducted by UNICEF highlighted that climate change is the biggest threat to children’s health, nutrition, education and future.

Given the devastating impact of the climate crisis on the lives of children and young people, IESR together with Yayasan Madani Berkelanjutan, Wahana Visi Indonesia, Yayasan Indonesia Cerah, and Save the Children Indonesia, will organize the Youth Climate Conference – a youth conference on climate change. The event will be held in June, 2024. To ensure meaningful participation of children and young people in this event as well as to promote the upcoming Youth Climate Conference agenda plan, we are inviting several environmental volunteer organizations/communities initiated by or consisting of children and young people. The participation of children and young people in this agenda is expected to also become a momentum to bring together the aspirations of children and young people on climate change issues and concrete actions to tackle climate change. In addition, this event is also expected to be a medium for socializing the upcoming Youth Climate Conference.

Objectives

• Discuss the impacts of climate change on children, youth, women and indigenous peoples.
• To discuss the role of children and youth in mitigating the negative impacts of climate change.
• To promote the Youth Climate Conference to the public, especially children and youth.