YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS THE WORLD PERCEIVE CLIMATE CHANGE AS THE BIGGEST GLOBAL CHALLENGE FACING OUR WORLD TODAY
The Active Citizens project is part of the British Council’s global programme, The Climate Connection, which brings people around the world together in 2021 and beyond to meet the challenges of climate change. https://www.britishcouncil.org/climate-connection. The project is delivered as part of Co-operation Ireland’s Future Leaders Programme, which aims to empower the next generation of young leaders and peacebuilders across the island of Ireland to make a positive contribution to the future development of their communities, and across communities.
BE AT THE HEART OF AN INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT
Active Citizens: Social action for climate change is part of the British Council’s global programme around the COP26 international climate change conference, which takes place in Glasgow in November 2021. The British Council is working with partners across the whole of the UK and worldwide to support the success and legacy of COP26 by creating opportunities for cooperation, dialogue and action that address the shared challenges of climate change. Active Citizens projects are running in 22 countries, including Ireland and Northern Ireland, meaning you’ll be part of a global team of young people with the passion to take social action on environmental issues and climate change.
A number of our young Future leader graduates were trained as international facilitators, and supported the delivery the Active citizens training to a group of 19 young participants (aged 18- 35) which we recruited from across the Island.
This training programme focused on equipping the participants with the tools and strategies needed to empower them to develop their own social action projects related to the COP26 priority areas of Adaptation and Resilience; and Nature.
Currently we are supporting the implementation of 6 Social Action Projects, which range from the filming of a documentary film following climate action projects across the Island of Ireland, to the creation of a Cabaret Against Climate Change – a campaign to raise awareness and understanding of global climate issues.
As part of our mentoring role with these groups, the first of a number of panel presentations is being organised on 23 June 2021, as an opportunity for each group to present their project to relevant stakeholders within the climate change/environmental sector. The aim is to give each of the groups advice and feedback, as well as possibly helping them to identify useful tools, resources and sites to enhance their projects.
PRESENTATION OF SOCIAL ACTION PROJECTS
The first Panel Presentation was held on 23 June with the aim of providing participants the opportunity to engage with a panel of relevant stakeholders in relation to their social action projects, to provide a platform to showcase their innovative ideas for sustainability, and to receive feedback and advice. There were 3 projects presented, with a second date for the next 3 projects to be confirmed.
The panel presentation was organised as a “Dragons’ Den” style pitch with each group allocated 20 minutes consisting of a presentation on their Social Action Project followed by a question-and-answer session with the panel. Presentation of the projects included an introduction to the Social Action Project, an overview of the project with aims and key activities and the impact of the project showing the research undertaken and outcomes.
Presentations were made by Jemma McClelland – Cabaret against Climate Change; Rebecca Jane McMonagle – Climate Action on Film; and Jacinta Hamley – Mobilise the Island.
The Panel, who were Identified through our Local Authority Programme were Cathy Burns from Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alan Dunney from Kildare County Council and Dr John Kelly from Queens University, Belfast.
For further information email [email protected]
Active Citizens: Social action for climate change (global programme)