IKI facilitates participation of young activists at Bonn Climate Change Conference

GIZ’s Youth Climate Action Support Programme and Klimadelegation not only facilitated my participation but also offered essential guidance before and during the session to help me navigate effectively.</span> As part of the Indigenous Peoples constituency, I followed Loss and Damage and the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance while also supporting the International Indigenous Youth Forum on Climate Change in organising Indigenous youth. Participating in bilateral meetings and discussions with negotiators was particularly enlightning. I also had wonderful interactions with fellow youths and participants through workshops and various events. […] The overall experience has strengthened my commitment to contine my advocacy in these spaces. The learning and networking will enhance the work I do within my community. As one of the very few indigenous youth participants from Asia, I am grateful to the programme for making this opportunity possible.

For the first time, I had the opportunity to attend the SBs. It was an incredible experience for me getting to see firsthand what leads to the COP. I also had the opportunity to follow adaptation negotiations, to represent YOUNGO and to speak at a workshop on the linkages between technology mechanisms and financial mechanisms and at a bilateral with the chairman of the Africa Group of Negotiators to raise some youth concerns. I also attended the daily briefing of the African Group of Negotiators and shared my experience with the media at the Deutsche Welle headquarters in Bonn.

Participating in the SB for the second time was extremely important for me as a young indigenous Brazilian, because it is in these spaces that we learn and understand how negotiations about the future of our territories take place. I was also able to learn and share experiences and knowledge with indigenous and non-indigenous youth from different countries and continents. The project was extremely important in ensuring the participation of diverse young people in the decision-making spaces of the UNFCCC. With the knowledge we have, we will be able to reach our territories with a wealth of information that will add a lot!

I took part in a number of activities at the conference with the goal of promoting policy advocacy and climate action and focused on the area of Just Transition throughout the SB60 conference. I attended many talks and workshops on adaptation tactics, mitigating the effects of climate change, and the value of involving young people in these efforts. It was an honour for me to network and meet a wide range of people, including other young activists, climate scientists, decision-makers, and representatives from other non-governmental organisations. Thanks to these exchanges, I now have a better understanding of the intricate nature of international climate negotiations and the crucial role that a variety of voices play in these debates, thanks to these exchanges. […] I also learned a lot about how to successfully advocate for issues and how to navigate the complex procedures of the UNFCCC. I returned home with a deep commitment to promoting community-driven climate action, as well as a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. With my newfound knowledge and insight, I'm more determined than ever to raise the voices of young people and ensure that climate policies are fair and inclusive.

Learning is not a destination, but a journey of constant exposure to new ideas, experiences, and perspectives. To say that SB60 has been anything less than a wonderful, blissful, knowledgeable piñata of surprises for me would be an understatement. I would like to express my gratitude for being a part of this opportunity. My first UNFCCC event, the SB60s, turned out to be a great experience and an inspiring endeavour for me. During the SBs, I loaded myself with as many sessions as I could attend in one day on different topics in my quest of knowledge and learning. I am glad I did this, as I was able to get the gist of what was going on in many thematic areas and narrow down my interests. My most interesting and fruitful meeting at the SBs was with the Indian party delegation. The short but effective meeting gave me a fresh perspective and insight into the current situation and future prospects. I also met some of the most wonderful people at the SB60s, who appreciate and inspire each other for the better. Being in the company of such empowering and dedicated young people has truly motivated me to strive for the best. During the SBs, my initial views on global processes were refined. I learned about many side projects and submissions related to climate action &nbsp;from different countries and understood the positions of youth and different countries on finance, technology, and their intersectionality with other thematic areas. I learnt about BTRs, NCQGs, GST, NAPs, NDCs, and many other related issues. I also became very involved with YOUNGO in different areas.