4 December 2014: For the seventh consecutive year, the UNFCCC Secretariat organized an event on ‘Intergenerational Inquiry’ to bring high-level delegates and youth delegates from around the world to discuss the role and importance of young people in the UNFCCC process. The side event, which convened at the Lima Climate Change Conference, featured a dialogue on the factors influencing change, including solidarity, networking, inclusiveness, collaboration and intergenerational action.

Nhattan Nguyen, World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), spoke about the movement’s responsibility to strengthen youth participation in the UN system, identifying key roles that the constituency system plays in delivering youth engagement.

Ties Mouwen, Dutch National Youth Council (DNYC), said that due to exponential population growth, half of the population worldwide is under the age of 25, resulting in 3.5 billion people as potential agents of change. He underlined the right of young generations to be heard and noted that without drastic change there will be no Earth to live on.

René Gonzalo Orellana Halkyer, Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China), noted that market and economic considerations dominate the agenda, while concepts of life, happiness and living in harmony with Mother Earth are not included and often laughed at.

Mariano Castro Sánchez-Moreno, Vice-Minister of Environment, Peru, stressed that the youth declaration from the 10th Conference of Youth (COY10) shows the level of maturity youth possess, “and the path to translate youth social necessities into political demands.” He underscored that although youth are better informed than in the past, information overflow should not divert focus, as specific measures, due dates and strategies are needed.

Paul Watkinson, France, urged youth to keep using different ways to communicate as formal negotiations often “get stuck in legal points and use strange language.” He invited youth to the Paris climate change negotiations in 2015, requesting them to bring ideas and solutions, mobilize, participate and challenge negotiators.

Panelists also touched on the elements of a just climate agreement, the main messages from COY10 and the historically slow rate of social change. The event also featured Angela Valenzuela and Augustin Martz of Earth in Brackets performing the song “Hombre de Papel” (Man of Paper). [IISD RS ENBOTS Coverage] [IISD RS Coverage of Lima Climate Change Conference] [UNFCCC Secretariat Event Announcement]