Thursday 28th November, 16:00 GMT / 17:00 CET
The global youth movement is intensifying its efforts to have ecocide recognized as an international crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Currently, 37 countries are deliberating ecocide legislation at various government levels, and in 2023, specific bills have been introduced or advanced in Belgium, the Netherlands, Scotland, Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Italy, and Spain (Catalunya). By 2024, Vanuatu, Fiji, and Samoa have formally proposed ecocide as a crime under the ICC, advocating for its recognition alongside genocide and war crimes.
Simultaneously, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will begin hearings in December for its much-anticipated Advisory Opinion on Climate Change, following a youth-led initiative. Together, these efforts underscore the critical role of youth as advocates and leaders in global environmental justice, yet youth voices remain underrepresented in formal COP decision-making processes. This debrief will spotlight young leaders worldwide and their solutions for building a sustainable, just future.
This virtual post-COP29 webinar will:
Highlight youth-led advocacy and COP29 outcomes: Provide an in-depth look at youth contributions at COP29, the lack thereof, and discuss next steps in advancing ecocide as an international crime.
Showcase innovative climate and nature solutions from youth advocates: Present and discuss youth-led, ecocentric approaches to pressing global environmental issues, from climate resilience to biodiversity conservation, highlighting solutions that prioritise ecosystem health.
Strengthen youth climate leadership and policy engagement: Identify actionable strategies for empowering young people to influence policy and drive activism in their communities and countries, especially around complex environmental challenges. Highlight successful youth-led initiatives that have resulted in tangible policy or community impact.
Ponentes:
Shafiqur Rahman - Y4EL Africa Core Team Member
Joyce Mendez - UN Secretary-General's Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change
Paulina Slawek - Campaigner, World’s Youth 4 Climate Justice
Ayadi Mishra - YOUNGO ACE Communication Lead, UN Decade on Restoration Advisor