FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CANCUN, MEXICO 25/11/2010-

12 young Kiwi’s are joining youth from across the globe this weekend to campaign for strong and immediate climate change action. The 6th annual conference of youth (COY6) is bringing together over 500 delegates from ___ countries to build on an International Youth Climate Movement, to discuss issues of importance to them, and to prepare themselves for campaigning to world leaders.

COY6 preludes the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP16, which takes place in Cancun, Mexico between November 29 and December 12. COP16 is the 16th annual Conference of Parties and follows on from COP15, which happened in Copenhagen last year, and exists so that leaders of the world can come together to negotiate an international climate change treaty, and coordinate global action.

With energetic and spirited approaches, youths around the world have taken a leading role in the fight to solve the climate crisis. With the survival of all nations and communities at stake, young people, as responsible global citizens, are responding to the climate challenge from grassroots levels to the highest political platforms. COY6 brings together their stories, ideas and inspiration, and prepares their presence at the official negotiations COP16 as a global youth constituency.

Our 12 young Kiwi’s, as part of a New Zealand Youth Delegation (NZYD), are attending both COY6 and COP16. They have prepared their own stance on climate policy, and are looking forward to campaigning for climate justice, in particular by working with the NZ government.

Brittany Packer, spokesperson for NZYD, says “We are preparing themselves for this climate change conference by learning the policy behind the negotiations. Working with hundreds of other youth at COY6 this weekend will be an opportunity to improve our own knowledge and strengthen our future actions.”

Like other youths at the negotiations, they are organising to support various stakeholder groups, including youth, women & indigenous rights, as well as nations disadvantaged and affected by climate change. They see potential for positive solutions to climate change, environmentally, socially, and economically.

“NZ should contribute positively to these negotiations by committing to global climate change action because our clean and green tourism stance means that we would benefit from coming across as environmentally friendly” says Packer.

They are calling for transparency from the NZ official delegation to COP16, so that the everyday New Zealander can understand the comprehensive climate change issue, and see value in immediate and decisive action.

The New Zealand Youth Delegation is committed to reducing the impacts of human induced climate change, and sees opportunity in working with other youth, both this weekend in Cancun, and into the future.

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