Virtual International Climate Change Youth Forum focuses on Caribbean Synergies

The Vice Chancellor’s UWI STAT Ambassadors activities held their annual virtual regional Youth Forum to support SDG 13 - Climate Action on March 5, 2020. It was a part of the Fourth International Seminar on SDGs focusing on Climate Action taking place in Kingston, Jamaica at the Regional Headquarters of The UWI.

The International Seminar was put on by the Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Latin America and the Caribbean at Universidad de los Andes and The University of West Indies. This was the third regional virtual Youth Forum, as the theme was – Climate Action and the other SDGs: Synergies for Caribbean Survival and Development and although it was the final activity of the 2 day  conference, the expert climate change participants in the room were impressed with the ideas and suggestions of the youth panellists, as well as those who posed questions and comments virtually.

This virtual Forum encouraged youth across the region to take the message to their friends/classmates, families and communities that it should be in their DNA to care about Climate Change and gave recommendations for youth involvement at the community and national levels. Celia Davidson Francis, the Director and Coordinator of the Regional Corps and organizer of the Forum, was delighted with the impact the Corps is making in involving youth in Climate Change Action. Alumni Ambassadors also participated virtually. Importantly, a UWI STAT Climate Change Advocacy Network has been created, an outcome of the first Forum and youth are invited to join to add their voices for meaningful Climate Action. A monthly newsletter is produced and circulated to members regionally.