Youth speaking at the Leadership Roundtable: Youth Voices in Biodiversity Governance on Biodiversity Law and Governance Day (October 26, 2024) during CBD COP 16
In a powerful demonstration of youth leadership, the "Leadership Roundtable: Youth Voices in Biodiversity Governance" took place online as part of Biodiversity Law and Governance Day during COP 16. Hosted by the Voices of the Future Generations Children’s Initiative (VOFG CI), the Global Youth Council on Science, Law & Sustainability (GYC), and the Youth Negotiators Academy (YNA), the session brought together young advocates from around the globe to discuss the integral role of youth in biodiversity governance.
The roundtable addressed critical questions: How can youth-led initiatives advance biodiversity in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child? What is the role of youth in biodiversity conservation within existing legal frameworks? And how can young leaders be empowered in global biodiversity governance and policymaking?
Voices of Change
The event showcased the advocacy, creativity, and leadership of young people, who are actively engaging in dialogues about the health and preservation of ecosystems. The session featured three interconnected presentations that highlighted youth contributions to sustainability, human rights, and environmental protection.
In the first segment, child authors Rehema Kibugi (Kenya), Ryan Hill (Canada), and Saira Thomas (UAE) shared insights from their published children’s books, showing how children and yough can voice their concerns and aspirations regarding biodiversity preservation in their respective countries through the creative art of storytelling. Their narratives serve not only as a reflection of their experiences but also as a call to action for peers and policymakers alike.
Rehema Kibugi (top left), Ryan Hill (top right), and Saira Thomas (bottom middle).
Empowering Youth Movements
The second part of the session spotlighted the Global Youth Council on Science, Law & Sustainability (GYC). Youth speakers Nico Roman (UK, Canada, and Germany), Wezi Chilubanama (Zambia), and Thomas Langford (UK) emphasized the importance of youth-led initiatives for advocacy and action. They highlighted the GYC's mission to empower young voices and share their insights on pressing environmental issues.
Nico Roman (top left), Thomas Langford (top right), and Wezi Chilubanama (bottom middle) explain the work of the GYC.
During the event, the GYC also launched the second issue of the Harmony Journal, an online publication featuring articles and artwork from youth around the world focused on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 14 (Life Below Water) and 15 (Life on Land). The launch was led by editorial team members Varnessa Varlyngton (Nigeria) and Carlos Caballero (Bolivia), with contributions from Harry Langford (UK) and Freya Tikva (Austria), who discussed their work featured in the journal.
Carlos Andres Caballero (Harmony Journal editorial team) helps launch the Journal’s second issue.
Youth Negotiators in Action
The final segment of the roundtable showcased the advocacy efforts of youth negotiators from the YNA. Delegates, including Sigurd Seindal Krabbe and Lise Coermann Nygaard from Denmark, and Alicia Maldonado, a former youth negotiator, presented their initiatives aimed at influencing biodiversity policy. Their collective work underscores the importance of including youth perspectives in global decision-making processes.
Ms Marie-Claire Graf from the Youth Negotiators Academy.
Chaired by Elianys (Ela) Martinez from CISDL and VOFG CI, alongside Marie-Claire Graf from the Youth Negotiators Academy, the session exemplified a commitment to uplifting youth voices in biodiversity governance. Participants emphasized the need for platforms that enable young people to engage actively in shaping policies that affect their futures.
A Call for Inclusion
The "Leadership Roundtable: Youth Voices in Biodiversity Governance" not only celebrated the contributions of young leaders but also served as a clarion call for greater inclusion of youth in discussions and decision-making processes regarding the environment. As these young advocates continue to inspire action and dialogue, the future of biodiversity governance looks increasingly promising, with fresh perspectives and innovative solutions at the forefront.
As COP 16 progresses, the momentum generated by this session highlights the critical role that youth will play in ensuring a sustainable and equitable future for all.