The first Beyond COP21 Symposium in Oceania is aiming to inspire young people to envision a more sustainable future. The Green School in Taranaki is welcoming 150 middle and high school students from across the country to participate in discussions, workshops, and presentations related to the Paris Climate Accords and the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals.
D’Arcy Lunn, the head of sustainability and global citizenship at Education in Motion, stated that the event is about fostering a commitment to improve things. He expressed his admiration for young people’s ability to convert ideas into positive global impacts.
Lunn hopes that the young attendees will form lifelong networks. He emphasized that the event is not about devising an immediate world-changing plan, but about fostering a determination to be open to making changes in their communities.
The Beyond COP21 Symposium was first held in Dubai in 2016 and has since taken place in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North and South America. Speakers at the Green School included Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick, Indonesian climate activist Melati Wijsen, and Taranaki advocate for kai resilience and Mātauranga Māori, Pounamu Skelton.
Students expressed their excitement about the event, with many looking forward to the workshops and the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers. They also emphasized the importance of starting to think about sustainability early in life, so they can take action as they grow older.
Marlene Lewis, the Environ co-ordinator at Stratford Primary, said the symposium was a fantastic opportunity for her students. She believes that each individual globally can make a difference in tackling climate change and global warming.
