My Days at COP21by | 29-12-2015 12:52 |
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Dear friends, in my previous report I share in brief my personal experience at historic COP21 whereas in this report I would like to debrief about my activities and role at COP21. As a member of CliMates in the first week i.e. 1st- 5th December I attended youth booth in the Climate Generation Space (green zone) of COP21. My role was to interact with visitors and answer to their queries about CliMates and its projects. As an accredited observer for blue zone of COP21 my focus was on tracking the negotiations in the 2nd week i.e. 7th- 12th December. I was handling the official twitter account of CliMates, attending meetings, interventions and updating about the progress of ongoing negotiation process to the public via CliMates Twitter. Moreover I and my friend Alexandra worked together to produce videos on several diverse topics of climate change like youth perspective, organic farming, mobilization projects etc by interviewing various stakeholders attending COP21. Attending Interactive Meetings of YOUNGO (the only youth constituency for climate change) and Climate Action Network (CAN) inside the blue zone. YOUNGO meetings were mainly focused on positions and planning different working groups (eg. Human Rights working group, loss and damage working group, adaptation working group etc) with spokes council from different organizations whereas CAN meetings were a bit more technical and analytical on the core negotiation agenda. Apart from these, I participated in several Side Events/ Civil Society Mobilization campaigns both inside and outside the blue zone. Some of the events I participated were Zero emissions by 2050 campaign, Climate Justice Peace, Fossil of the Day, Pathway to Paris etc. Huge mass participation in these events despite strict security concerns clearly reflected the youth solidarity demanding firm climate agreement. I feel blessed to share that I was chosen as one of the Youth Speakers in an event inside the blue zone named "Addressing Climate Change" on 9th December, where I raised my voice for a just inclusive climate agreement ensuring gender equity in every level of decision making process. Though there were few female representatives from Nepal government and journalists, I feel proud and sad at the same time saying that I was the only young girl OBSERVER from Nepal amidst bunch of boys. Hence I advocated for gender equity. I was more than elated to receive tons of constructive feedback after the event, well designated climate change advocates came to me and appreciate my genuine words and inspired me to continue my endeavor of sensitizing people about climate change. Well it's not over yet we used to have CliM- Meet up like every night in different locations. Quite amusing, I used to get lost time and again in finding the places as I didn't understand French and often had communication difficulty. But the meet ups were really cool and interactive enough to soothe the tiresome hectic day. Besides, I also worked to write an article analyzing Gender Equity and UNFCCC negotiation process. My article has been published in Clim Blog ( https://studentclimates.wordpress.com/2015/12/10/gender-equity-and-the-united-nations-framework-convention-on-climate-change-unfccc-negotiation-process/ ) How about Tunza Eco- generation??? Well, how can I miss promoting my eco- generation family in such a noble platform? I had carried brochures and other promotional goods with me and I distributed it to youths of different countries in the COP21. As I wore the lovely yellow T- shirt of Eco- gen, I got warm welcome in the UNEP booth I had wonderful interaction with the intern at UNEP Ms Emilie Chen. They offered me a place in the booth to display brochures of Eco- generation as well. I had a chance to interact with Nepalese governmental delegates including Environmental minister of Nepal Mr. Vishwendra Paswan. I discussed with the parliament members about Nepalese youth involvement in negotiation process and position of Nepal in the COP21. They seem very positive and willing to create more space for youths in decision making process in the days to come Last but not the least, Meeting Rock Lee: It feels like magic when some unknown face recognizes you in the huge crowd and calls by your name. I encountered the same miracle when mother of Rock Lee (inspiring young member of Tunza Eco- generation from South Korea) asked me if I was Bindu. We had wonderful time together and shared about our goals and motives, some planning for working together in future. I appreciate the sincere support of Mrs. Susan for her son in working for environment. No words to describe my happiness in words when she told that she goes via nearly all my articles (also of dear Arushi sister and some others) and appreciated my genuine efforts. Moreover, she was thankful to Tunza Eco- generation for connecting young people around the world in same place to build a better earth. It was awe- inspiring to know how Rock Lee has been taking eco- initiative at his early age. Though my schedule at COP21 was hectic with lots of sincere responsibilities, I tried my best to accomplish my objectives and duties. Every moment was a new learning for me the atmosphere at COP21was so encouraging for me to work more efficiently and effectively in the coming days. It was a rare opportunity I achieved to broaden my understanding climate change globally from diverse local perspective. In a nutshell, COP21 proved to be the best networking hub for me. Interacting with different actors of climate change, be it indigenous people or prominent climate change activists/experts like Nicholas Hullot, Nicholas Stern, Director General of UNESCO and many others, every interaction deepened my passion on working in climate change. I got to learn climate change from different dimensions and perspectives. I find myself empowered and encouraged to serve my mother earth in all best ways possible. |