60th Annual DPI/NGO Conference - United Nations, New York, 5-7 September 2007
C L I M A T E
C H A N G E
CLIMATE CHANGE: HOW IT IMPACTS US ALL

Youth

Multigenerational Sub-Committee: Youth Education Outreach Initiative

Youth remain at the forefront of the complex scientific problems and social quandaries presented by climate change since they are the next generation who will both inhabit the earth and inherit the responsibility to protect the planet. It is imperative that world leaders consider the consequences of their decisions and their subsequent impact on youth from the present time and those seven generations ahead, as dictated by the concept of seven generations sustainability inspired by the Great Law of the Iroquois which states,

"In every deliberation we must consider the impact on the seventh generation... even if it requires having skin as thick as the bark of a pine."

It is therefore incumbent upon educators throughout the world to raise awareness among youth about climate change issues, while young students have the responsibility to educate their peers who remain unaware of the issues and engage them in an ongoing dialogue with the goal of arriving at innovative solutions. More….



Multigenerational Sub-Committee: the UN DPI/NGO Film Project

The Multigenerational Sub-Committee of the 60th Annual DPI/NGO Conference produced a documentary film under the title United Differences: Family Impacts on Climate Change. The documentary explored the potential roles of both families and individuals in preventing climate change. The project was directed by Mr. Jun Ren, an Independent Film and Theatre Director, and a member on the Multigenerational Sub-Committee. The documentary project was accompanied by a family photo album, Say NO to the Shadow of Earth.

The documentary project demonstrated a broad exploration of the relationship between family impact and climate change. The interviewees comprised a number of families recently immigrated to the US from five regions all over the world. With this approach, the producers intended to discover how a serious environmental issue was embodied in the daily lives of different ethnic groups. Furthermore, the documentary project sought to examine and generate possible solutions to tackle the urgent situation of climate change. More….



College/University Student Poster Presentations Sub-Committee

The College/University Poster Presentations were shown throughout the three-day event. The presentations showcased young adults’ creative ideas and reflected the theme of the Conference and the following Midday Workshop topics:

    • The Scientific Evidence
    • Cultural and Traditional Knowledge
    • Water Security and Climate Change
    • Best Land Use Practices
    • Economics and Policies of Energy and Climate Change
    • Streamlining the System
    • Sustainable Development and the Responsibility to Protect
    • Health and Education

Cross-cutting, universal issues framed the dialogue for solutions to climate change. The poster presentations managed to raise awareness of activities, which young adults undertake and inspired onlookers to act.

Young adults were presented with a unique opportunity to network effectively and to connect with other active students and interested NGOs. This forum provided an opportunity to develop effective collaborations that could be sustained beyond the Conference.

Be the change you wish to see in the world.

– Mahatma Gandhi



Student Journalists Sub-Committee: Covering the DPI/NGO Conference

Student journalist from around the world participated in a unique programme to cover the Conference on climate change at the United Nations Headquarters. The Conference, entitled, “Climate Change: How it Impacts Us All" held from 5-7 September and featured an address by the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro, as well as panels of experts on climate change.

This was the second year of the innovative programme, which offered students a unique opportunity to cover a conference at the United Nations. The three-day event managed to mobilise worldwide public awareness of the dangers to the environment. Organised by the UN Department of Public Information (DPI) in partnership with the NGO/DPI Executive Committee, the Conference continued to be the premier NGO event held at the United Nations each year. More….