CAP's advocacy activities

European Union Development Days

CAP UK members traveled to Strasbourg to attend the EU Development Days, an annual event bringing together Heads of State, ministers, policy makers and civil society representatives from around the world to discuss the EU¿s international development agenda.

The theme of this year's event was strengthening citizen participation in local governance, which means how people can affect decisions in their own communities. This might be about they receive healthcare, where schools are built or how councils spend money.

Sarah and Durgha from CAP attended this year's event along with young people from Sweden, Norway, Mali, Togo, Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone.

All the Young People took part in a variety of activities which helped to raise the profile of youth at the event and also called on the decision makers to question and think about how youth can participate in Governance.

These activities included participating in a youth forum, speaking at round-table discussion and running a youth media event. Young people were also represented by the Shoot Nations exhibition which was displayed throughout the event.

View film of young people participating at the event.

Bali Climate Change Conference

Four young people from the Philippines, Sweden, UK and Indonesia took part at the UNFCCC COP13 meeting in Bali in December 2007.

They observed the negotiations, challenged ministers and official delegates, participated in side events, and helped to design a process, whereby thousands of their peers can have their voices heard in future international climate change meetings.

Since the trip, all four children have been active in sharing their learning and advocating action amongst other children and adults in their communities.

For more info: http://childreninachangingclimate.blogspot.com/

Poznan Climate Change Conference

Children in a Changing Climate is participating in The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Pozna, Poland, 1-12 December 2008.The conference is the most prestigious forum of political discussion in the scope of climate protection, attracting the attention of the entire world.

The issues of climate change are some of the most important subjects of international discussion in the world. Not only environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs), but also politicians, international institutions, business, researchers and media take part in this debate.

It is envisaged that the two-week sessions will be attended by 8,000 participants: more than 190 government delegations headed by the Ministers for the Environment or Climate Change, international institutions, environmental, business and research non-governmental organisations, media and Footprint Friends!

The Pozna Climate Change Conference provides the opportunity to build momentum towards an agreed outcome at Copenhagen in December 2009 where the Kyoto protocol will be replaced.

At Poznan, Plan and CCC representatives and children will be advocating three key messages:

1. Children should be listened to and included in decision making about tackling climate change.

2. Financing for climate adaptation must be made available
 
3. A child-centred approach to climate change adaptation can ensure that programmes are effective, participatory and sustainable.

For more info or to get involved please email plan-ed@plan-international.org.uk