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The focus of today was predominantly climate change with the plenary and negotiations occurring in quick succession. The plenary taken by Dr Watt highlighted a interesting standpoint. She talked about how Climate Change should be approached from the perspective of Human Rights rather than the typical scientific and economic technocratic approach. In this way climate change becomes an issue which all of humanity can connect with.
James and Andy in Climate Change Negotiations
From this session James and Andrew headed upstairs to enter into the Climate Change negotiations. They found this session to be largely a positive and collaborative process full consensus. The UK welcomed the progressive suggestions from both the Russian and German delegations.
There was an overall sense that all delegations wanted climate change tackled properly and comprehensively with no ½ measures to prevent the temperature rise of 2 degrees.
The communiqué focused on 3 targets:
1) Carbon reduction emission targets
2) Promotion of renewable energies as the dominant part of domestic energy mix
3) Greening of existing carbon technologies in short term battle to tackle climate change
In true reflection of Copenhagen (COP15) the major issue of contention was carbon reduction strategies, the UK proud to suggest the proposal of 80% cuts of carbon emissions by 2050 on 1990 levels. This move was strongly supported by delegates from Italy, France, Germany and Russia delegations but resisted by USA and Canadian representatives. However with only 3minutes before deadline for the submission final communiqué a consensus was reached and the cuts were in!
James Mummery (Climate Change negotiation team) “it was personally great to see countries like Russia propose really progressive suggestions such as biodiversity protection. Before coming here I didn’t really know what views Russia had in regard to climate change and its really opened my eyes to the common values that are shared by young people around the world”
After a long flight, the My Summit UK team arrived in Toronto in the afternoon of the 23rd. Welcomed onto the coach filled with our fellow delegates from the USA and Canada, we eagerly awaited our arrival into Muskoka, the location of the first ever G8 portion of My Summit. Without much delay we were swept into a delightful presentation by the Canadian Youth Ambassadors who have been collaborating us throughout the summits in Canada, about their home country. This was follows up by an inspiring talk by marathon winner and World Food Programme Celebrity Ambassador Paul Tergat. Dr Paul Tergat has had a phenomenally successful marathon career, though as a child in Kenya his family was too impoverished to send him to school with food. However the World Food Programme provided the food at his school allowing him to receive a full education. This inspiring tale struck home the realities of poverty, but also the very concrete hope that actually such a positive change is possible. All the youth delegates left the welcome dinner on a motivating note; feeling enthused about driving positive changes for a better future.
Maherunesa, Heather and Ewurasi at the Welcome Dinner
The G8 activities of My Summit were ready to commence on the morning of the 24th. The day started with a compelling speech from the founder of My Summit, Mr Terry Clifford, who described our position as Youth Delegates as being the first to finally get on the world stage with the message that young people matter now, that this is our opportunity to speak now and act now. We were told “Every second you have to collaborate and build a better future is a second well spent”.
After this powerful reminder of our role, we delved into the first of our G8 negotiations, that of Terrorism and Nuclear Non-Proliferation. Our first plenary was delivered by Norman Inkster, who has specialised in security for over 36 years. This talk informed us of the new and very real threat of cybercrime and terrorism, and left us with a few challenging questions to think about the future role of security. After all, with such rapidly developing technologies, how can justice systems develop and keep up with new emerging threats? Our two security delegates, Ewurasi Brako and Steven Cheung then took the lead of the UK position into the negotiations for Terrorism and Nuclear Non Proliferation.
The second plenary covered food security; this was delivered by David Stevenson, the director of policy, planning and strategy for the UN World Food Programme. He explained the importance of finding out why people are hungry and how solutions can be found to lifting people out of security in the long term, as opposed to merely giving them aid. We learnt of the various innovative farming techniques to support local farmers in developing countries, and understood the importance of nutrition education, especially with regards to mothers and children, which is another G8 topic in itself. However the interlinking of each of the topics reminds us of the importance of shifting for positive changes in these areas for the entire world. The food security delegates Barbara Soetan and Maherunesa Khandaker then proceeded to put forward the UK stance on food security in the negotiating room.
Maherunesa and Barbara in Food Security Negotiations
The day of plenaries ended with a powerful talk on maternal and child health by Dr Jean Chamberlain Froese, Founder of Save the Mothers.
Even after leaving the location of the talks, overall, the first day of negotiations worked itself long into the night, with the Food Security negotiations ending at around midnight. However, knowing that young people are finally having their views put on such a platform drove us to work into the early hours with undying enthusiasm, eagerly awaiting the second day of talks.
Maherunesa Khandaker
Welcome to the official blog from the UK Youth Delegation for My Summit 2010!
The website will be fully up and running very soon! While we’re finishing a few small bits here and there, feel free to join our Facebook group !!
So to tell you a little bit about us and what we are doing….
Basically there are seven of us Young UK Ambassadors taking part in My Summit 2010, which is a youth summit running parallel to the G8 and G20 summits. Find out what the G8 and G20 summits are here.
From June 23rd –June 25th, the G8 component of MY SUMMIT will take place in Muskoka, Ontario youth delegates from the UK and other participating countries will be engaging in lively discussions and debates about the same themes as the G8 Summit. We will negotiate a final communiqué to be presented to G8 leaders at the Summit.
From 26th June -27th the G20 portion of MY SUMMIT will take place in Toronto where there will be an opportunity to observe the G20 Summit in process, engage in discussions on economic themes and meet with senior officials, ministers, leaders and other dignitaries.
Our aim
We aim to give a voice to young people from across the UK by acting as effective advocates. We plan to do this by lobbying our government and following up key recommendations after the summit has ended as well as developing and maintaining a consistent level of sustainable youth engagement before, during and after the meeting.
We see our participation at My Summit, as Young UK Ambassadors, as a key opportunity to raise awareness of the G8/G20 summit and the global issues being discussed amongst our peers and in turn meaningfully engage with world leaders bringing the youth voice to the forefront.
Get your voice heard!
To find out YOUR opinions on the G8 and G20 summits, we have made a survey which we need you all fill out, after all we’re speaking up for you! The survey
