Youth to use video to inform public about climate change trhough a competition

By Protus Onyango

Young people are invited to tell the world how they are shaping a more sustainable future by entering the second annual Global Youth Video Competition on climate change.

The competition, which is being run by Television for the Environment (tve) and is part of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change's (UNFCCC) Action for Climate Empowerment and Momentum for Change initiatives, will culminate in a high-profile awards ceremony in November 2016 at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP22) in Marrakech, Morocco.

Young people between the ages of 18 and 30 can enter via the tve awards website until 1 August 2016.

"Young people are taking action on climate change and the environment and we want to hear and see what they are up to in order to inspire the UN and everyone across the globe—so whether it is leading a divestment campaign at university campus; running a sustainable business or broadcasting programmes on climate change via a village radio station, send us your amazing videos, get noticed internationally and maybe be one of this year's winners," said Nick Nuttall, UNFCCC Spokesperson.

"Young people have the highest stake in the success of the Paris Climate Change Agreement," said Angelica Shamerina, Programme Advisor with the UNDP-GEF Small Grants Programme, which is supporting the competition.

She added, "They will be facing more severe impacts of climate change and stand to benefit the most from the technology revolution and new jobs created by it. By supporting this competition we hope to learn of youth taking the lead in climate action locally, nationally and globally and share these stories widely to inspire others to get involved."

Two winners will receive a round trip to the UN Climate Change Conference in Marrakech, Morocco, from 7 to 18 November 2016 (including flight, accommodation and other expenses) and will join the UNFCCC Newsroom team as youth reporters, helping the team with videos, articles and social media posts.

"Young people are crucial agents for implementing the Paris Agreement," said Timothy Damon, Focal Point for the UNFCCC's Youth Constituency (YOUNGO)adding that addressing climate change requires society to shift to a new and sustainable system – this is only possible if the youth are fully involved in building this new system with their own hands, with the support and empowerment of their elders."

"Last year's entries to the Global Youth Video competition – from 60 different countries – gave an inspiring insight into the passion and ambition of young people for combating climate change. We are thrilled to be partnering with the UNFCCC team to run the competition again this year, and we are looking forward very much to watching the films as they arrive!" said Cheryl Campbell, Executive Director of tve.

This year Connect4Climate, an international initiative of the World Bank, is also joining forces with tve to support the Connect4Climate Minecraft Sustainable World category. It will allow young people to send in their climate change story in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals created through the Minecraft game.

"The moment is right for youth globally to tell their own stories and to be heard," said Lucia Grenna, Program Manager of Connect4Climate.

She added, "We need your creativity, your storytelling power and the willingness to accept the global south as a voice. The great revolution of social media is not that we reach millions, but that millions can reach us."

Connect4Climate has also launched its own Film4Climate Global Video Competition. The partners in the second Global Youth Video Competition have agreed to cross promote both competitions to maximise public awareness and public action on climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

"The two video competitions dovetail very nicely and will maximize the opportunities for all ages of filmmakers wanting to showcase their work and activities towards a sustainable future. The various partners will be discussing with the Government of Morocco on how we can make the award ceremonies for these two excellent competitions the best ever," Nuttall said.

The second Global Youth Video Competition on Climate Change is organized by the United Nations Climate Change secretariat, the UNDP GEF-Small Grants Programme, the Connect4Climate Programme, the United Nations Joint Framework Initiative on Children, Youth, and Climate Change, the UNFCCC constituency of youth non-governmental organizations (YOUNGO) and Television for the Environment (tve).