A reflection from Y4N Global Ambassador and NYCW Delegate, Steph Ulivieri
Youth4Nature went to New York Climate Week! I believe it is fair to say that this is an international event that holds a lot of significance for us - beyond the more obvious advocacy and networking value it might have. Why you might ask? Well, four years ago, back in 2019, it was the first time ever that a Y4N delegation officially joined an international climate event. We were then a newly established organization, who managed to bring individuals from different continents together to advocate for young people and for the inclusion of nature in the climate conversation, and showcase our work in the nature-climate space.
The full Y4N delegation on the ground at NYCW. From left to right: Maria Paula (Y4N Development Director), Peter Bulimo (INUKA Co-ordinator), Odhiambo Otieno (Global Ambassador) & Steph Ulivieri (Global Ambassador)
Fast forward to 2023, we have grown, have become an established by- youth-for-youth international organization and attended the New York Climate Week again - what a full circle! From September 15-24, four of our delegates from Latin America, Europe and Africa were present on the ground leading our strategy and advocacy for the event.
But, first things first. What is the New York Climate Week?
In short, it is a week, happening parallel to the United Nations General Assembly, during which hundreds of different events focusing on the triple planetary crisis (climate, nature and pollution) take place in New York City. It has happened every year since 2009, and it brings together a wide range of stakeholders such as international leaders from business, government and civil society to showcase and discuss global climate action. For those who have been to New York City, you understand how bustling, busy and sleepless the city can be. For those who have been to international climate gatherings and conferences, you also know how the same adjectives can be used to describe these events. Well, to have a better grasp of how NYCW can feel like, think of all of the above - but on steroids - as the city is filled with stakeholders from across the globe who come to the thematic week and other events happening at the same time.
During our time there, our delegation took part in a wide range of activities.
Hitting the ground running, on the first official day of NYCW, our delegate and INUKA Project Co-coordinator, Peter Bulimo, attended the UN SDG Action Summit organized by the UN on September 18-19. Bulimo, along with other youth present, was able to contribute to the Global Youth Position Paper for the SDG Summit, which was prepared through the MGCY consultations, and to the so-called the "Torchbearers for the SDGs", a summary of the consultations prepared in partnership with the Office of the Secretary General's Envoy on Youth (OSGEY). A significant win from this engagement was that the UN endorsed the SDG Summit Youth Positions Paper and it will be disseminated to member states.
The next day, our Global Ambassador, Steph, spoke on behalf of Y4N at a panel focused on the role of young people in the Governance of Solar Radiation Modification, organized by the newly launched Solar Radiation Modification Youth Watch (SRM YW). Steph shared that there is still a huge knowledge gap when it comes to these types of geoengineering tools and technologies for climate interventions, especially among youth, which needs to be addressed for more informed decisions on the governance of SRM to take place. She herself had only first heard about the topic a few months before the event from a personal connection who is working in the sector. So, if you have never heard about it either, don’t worry! We’re all in the process of learning. But do be on the lookout for it, as this is poised to be a hot topic in the coming years within the climate and biodiversity spheres.
Odhiambo & Bulimo at the New York Climate March
Right after, the whole delegation had the incredible opportunity to show our solidarity to other climate activists and during the New York Climate March, which called for a ban against fossil fuels right in the middle of Manhattan. This was a powerful moment that visually highlighted how collective action and cooperation are key paths for effective climate action - with it being dubbed “the largest climate protest in the US since the start of the pandemic.” During the march, we rubbed shoulders with several youth allies from different organizations, meeting old friends and making new allies along the way.
And, as the first few days exemplify, the rest of our time in NY did not fall short of excitement. Our delegates spoke at different events and panels on various topics, such as funding ecosystems for youth organizations and the challenges we face. More specifically, our Development Director, Maria-Paula Marques, was part of a panel organized by Synchronicity Earth and Atmos to celebrate the Chrysalis Youth Fund. During the event, Maria highlighted the unique role of youth in shaping a just and sustainable world. One of the biggest challenges youth tend to face is access to unrestricted, long-term funding. When we receive direct funding, we gain autonomy in how and where to allocate the funds, which fosters trust and empowerment. During this event, Y4N shared how this type of funding allows us to fund what we know youth need best! Moreover, youth are often expected to undertake underpaid work, in exchange to acquiring “experience” on a certain topic and practice, for example. But, this is not sustainable and does not empower people. Instead, it drives individuals away from the climate and nature movement, which can feel exploitative emotionally and professionally. It was a unique opportunity to share these reflections during NYCW: we need to acknowledge and compensate youth for both their visible and invisible work, which are essential parts of collective climate solutions.
Maria Paula during the Synchronicity Earth and Atmos’ panel
We participated in events organized by the UNFPA, the first-ever Climate Mobility Summit, Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, the Casa Amazonia, and the Fossil Fuel Treaty initiative. We had the opportunity to showcase the INUKA project at the Nature Positive Hub, and to take part in a live concert in the middle of Times Square to show our support for SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth), advocating at the same time for more green and climate-friendly jobs. We met some of our funders and partners in person, which allowed us to connect meaningfully with those who support our work. And, the delegation didn't just confine our activism to conference halls and formal meeting, we attended and volunteered at concerts, such as the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park (in partnership with some folks from the Loss & Damage Youth Coalition), and also visited art exhibitions that created spaces to show our support to an intersectional and multi-dimensional approach to climate justice.
Y4N led Youth Networking event in a rainy NY Sunday
We also hosted our own event, right at the end of the NYCW, focusing on caring for the human connections we had made during that week with other youth allies. By offering a cup of coffee or tea on a rainy New York Sunday, we wanted to provide space for youth to deepen new and old relationships made during that week. These connections - human to human - will undoubtedly play a vital role in our future endeavors as climate advocates, building more meaningful and resilient connections that strengthen our climate movement overall. We also wanted to create a space for reflection and taking stock of what had happened that week, both for the attendees’ organizations but also for themselves as individuals. It’s easy to forget about ourselves and our well-being when the schedule is so hectic, but it’s important to remind ourselves of that, and to show solidarity to others who might need a hand.
All in all, throughout New York Climate Week, the Youth4Nature delegation seized opportunities to share our voices, our work, and bring forward to the discussions the intersectionality that lies within nature and climate. It was an opportunity that empowered and allowed the young delegates from across the globe to put into practice skills that we have acquired together with Youth4Nature over the past years - from public speaking, to advocacy and relationship building - and that are vital for youth climate-nature leaders to build and practice. It was a moment to work and meet people we always see through computer screens - and uau, the energy and power of in-person meetings should never be underestimated! Something done online over 1h can sometimes be chatted in 10 minutes in person over a coffee. It was an opportunity to live in the moment. To come home tired, but happy to meet so many like-minded people that, just like us, try their best to make the world a little bit better every day. It was a moment to understand the logistical limitations of such spaces, being unable to attend 10 different events in a single day, and still being okay with that. After all, we know that quality prevails over quantity. It was a moment to understand how to navigate these high-level spaces and to learn to be (a bit) more comfortable with them.
Personally, it felt inspiring, empowering, and hopeful to be there. While there is a long fight ahead against climate change, this event helped me feel like I am not alone. It allowed me to physically see and feel this big community, which I am proudly a part of, a community of young people from across the globe who, despite coming from very different backgrounds, have a common goal and passion for achieving it.