It was urged on behalf of youth environmental activists that they advocate for action, people, the planet and it will continue for 50 years.
Adrian Forde, Minister for Environment and National Beautification made the call on Tuesday. He opened remarks at the Stockholm+50 Barbados Youth Consultation, themed Youth Agenda for an Environmentally Resilient TomorrowAt the Barbados Hilton
Forde spoke to the youth participants and said that they have the power of engaging leaders to ensure that actions are taken in response to the challenges.
He stated that the information will be used to inform the Barbados National Report to the Stockholm +50 Conference in Sweden, June 2-3.
Forde stated that the consultation would also be a valuable input into the upcoming national process for developing youth policy.
Youth are the future and present generations of our society. As such, you can influence the future of your community, the nation and the world.
I want to know how we can communicate and share information best, and what you will do in order to communicate and share your environmental knowledge with others.
Stockholm +50 is an important reflection point for environmental education. What new products or programmes would make sense to your generation? He said.
The consultation was organized jointly by the United Nations Development Programme and the University of the West Indies in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and National Beautification.
Forde also appealed UNDP to UNICEF to work with the government, youth institutions, and UNDP to create a series of local legacy projects based on the passion and ideas that emerged from the consultations.
Khalil Kothdiwala (youth advocate) also addressed the gathering. He stressed the importance of communicating the message about climate change with the vulnerable members of society, including single mothers and those on the block.
Kothdiwala said that it is these people who will be greatly impacted by climate changes, as was the case with Hurricane Elsa which destroyed or damaged many houses across the island in 2021.
If we say that those are the most vulnerable people, then we must include them in the conversation. He stated that we need to make sure that we talk to them in a manner that makes it possible for them to take environmental action.
(AH)
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