Between 18th and 22nd
Feb. 2012, the Network had representatives during the UNEP Governing Council
meeting. Our team made together with other youth made the following proposals
with regards to transition to Green Economy
On
behalf of Children and Youth, we would like to express the hope which the Rio+20 and the Green Economy brings, as well as the
apprehensions. We see a tremendous opportunity here. Young people are a
pool of creativity; and what the transition to a Green Economy needs is
creativity. Youth should no longer be viewed as a vulnerable group, but as an
asset to make Green Economy happen.
Safeguards
against misinterpretation, inaction and green washing: We therefore call upon
the member states and UN representatives present to open a series of dialogues,
to reach consensus on what Green Economy is, with a concrete set of criteria,
timescale, principles, quotas, and accountability features, and we also believe
that children and youth should be part of these discussions.
We
would also call upon individual governments to initiate capacity building, with
a particular focus on scientific capacity building , as well as providing youth
with the funds and strategic support necessary to make green economy a reality.
To this end, we believe that a commitment to introducing Education for
Sustainable development in the national curriculum should be the first step.
Supporting
youth through start-up loans, providing frameworks for green youth
entrepreneurship and education, and subsidising technology-transfer and
information consolidation will be the best investment that individual member
states can make in a green economy.
We
would like to point out that the developing world and the developed world will
experience the green economy on two tiers. It is therefore important to provide
the best conditions for equality of outcome.
Agriculture,
in developing countries, is one sector which youth have perceived as critical,
and we believe that it should be rebranded, modernized and boosted into a hub
for attractive green jobs for youth. Youth also call upon the UN systems and
individual member states to bridge the gap with the financial sector and the
international financial structures to prevent a dichotomy which could
exacerbate inequality.
We
are confident that the Green Economy can be a resounding success. However, we
are cautious in our optimism, as it is the political will of the member states
present which will make the difference, and we invite you to reflect that it is
the youth of today which will inherit the legacy of the decisions taken today,
and as such urge you to take positive steps to depart from stagnant
paradigms, and substantiate the optimism surrounding Green Economy with
concrete principles, goals, and a timescale.
