Organiser: WWF-Netherlands
Abstract
Youth movements worldwide are mobilising entire communities for climate and nature action. Their efforts to fight climate change and protect nature are inherently linked to social equity and inclusion goals. Particularly with regards to the 30X30 goals, young people everywhere are adamant about grounding the discussions on human rights, social justice and intergenerational equity; and yet this demographic often misses a seat at the table.
How are large-scale conservation organizations currently paying attention to this, and actively supporting crucial movements that make up the backbone of bottom-up/community-led approaches to conservation? And what do we need to do more?
Agenda
Panel discussion, twofold:
1. The urgency and imperative of becoming youth-centered in our strategies: it is the only way if we want to meet our goals.
2. Addressing the elephant in the room: not all youth is pro-nature. How are we tackling polarisation & youth adherence to far-right politics?
Discussion Points
(a) Authentic versus non-authentic facilitation/ support of youth networks. Trust-based relationships, examples and evidence of success.
(b) Accountability: youth voices holding us accountable, examples of governance structures.
(c) What does this all mean regarding our role in supporting/amplifying social movements/activism? And how do we tackle potential conflicts regarding our purpose as organizations?
(d) Challenges and dilemmas: rigidity of stakeholders versus adaptive nature of youth movements.