For the German Cooperation for Sustainable Development (GIZ), diversity is a central theme in strengthening international cooperation. Thus, from September 20 to 24, Diversity Week 2021 was celebrated with the slogan “diversity connects”, aiming to create a space for reflection and exchange of ideas on diversity in all its facets.
For this reason, the project Enhancing the Coherence of Climate and Energy Policies in Mexico (CONECC), committed to climate action and diversity, took part with an event called “Diverse Youth for Climate Action”, where young people talked and shared ideas on how to include diverse voices from an intersectional approach in the fight against climate change.
The event began with a presentation on the perspective of youth and diversity, emphasising that the lives of young people are still marked by persistent forms of structural discrimination combined with prejudice. A situation that negatively affects the prospects for social inclusion and well-being of marginalised youth groups, including young people with disabilities, ethnicities, religious minorities, refugees, migrants, women, girls, LGBTTTIQ + youth, indigenous youth, etc.
On the other hand, it was emphasised that young people are vulnerable, not only due to the economic and health crisis caused by COVID-19, but also because of the climate emergency. The exacerbated effects of the climate crisis place the well-being of young people at risk, besides widening the inequality gap.
Likewise, the actions taken in the present will have repercussions in the future. It is therefore necessary to ensure a significant youth participation in the strategies of adaptation and mitigation to climate change. It is essential to provide tools to strengthen resilience in the face of the current and future climate crises. Young people have proven to be a key ally in the international cooperation for sustainable development, strongly promoting climate action and promoting leadership for a green and inclusive recovery.
The second block of the event comprised a discussion with young leaders in Mexico, including Mitzy Violeta from Milpa Climática, who highlighted the necessity of linking responses to climate change with what is happening in each territory. She also highlighted the importance of the participation of indigenous peoples in climate action to strengthen processes at the local level. Also, Iván Martínez, pre-COP26 delegate, emphasised the importance of being inclusive and incorporating disruptive youth perspectives. Similarly, Jesús Reyes, founding member of the Sustainable Finance Hub, stated that actions addressing climate change will have to consider inequalities in different regions, especially in Latin America, besides including the LGBTTTIQ + community in social dynamics.
Around 90 people from all over the world attended the event. We are confident that this event has achieved its goal of opening a conversation on including youth voices in climate action, both locally and internationally.
