Romanian Youth at COP28: Eva's Stand for Climate Justice
Eva's inspirational participation at COP28 unveils the power of young activism
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COP28 in Dubai marked a historic moment as it welcomed children to speak about climate change, at the highest political level for the first time. Among the young activists was Eva, a 16-year-old member of the Children's Board, supported by UNICEF, proudly representing Romania and the East-European region.
"What motivated me to participate in this event was the belief that children need to be represented in high-level decisions, especially regarding climate change. It's an issue that affects not only the present but also our future. We need to change the level of children's involvement, which has been notably low in the context of climate change," said Eva.
This year's COP28 marked a pivotal moment as a dedicated day was allocated for children and young speakers. The focus was on empowering youth to shape the outcomes of the conference, addressing issues like equitable representation, stronger engagement mechanisms, and resource allocation across various themes and policy tracks.
At COP28, Eva had the opportunity to speak directly with global leaders, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. She also met Romanian President Klaus Iohannis during a meeting with representatives of the European Youth Forum.
Recounting her meeting with President Iohannis, Eva focused on the need to improve environmental education. "We discussed increasing funds for education, both in Romania and globally. I suggested supporting teachers in providing coherent and interactive information to children, as well as involving children in projects related to Green Week," she shared. The ”Green Week” is a 5 days national programme organized during the school year in which children participate in educational activities that contribute to climate change prevention and environmental protection.
In her meeting with Secretary-General Guterres, Eva and fellow children representatives emphasized the urgency of increasing funds for climate change services dedicated to children. They advocated for direct involvement in decision-making processes, aiming to raise awareness about the global impact of climate change on children.
Throughout the conference, Eva engaged with young activists from various countries, exchanging ideas and solutions. She emphasized the need for more inclusive participation, stating, "Next year, we plan to make the COP more inclusive, to increase children's involvement and negotiations."
Eva's parents played a crucial role in fostering her interest in climate issues, creating a supportive environment for her activism. Over the years, she actively engaged in various initiatives, from awareness campaigns to developing visual projects, such as creating comics about climate change for European projects at the age of 13.
"I felt the climate warming each year, experiencing the average temperature rise, especially as I am living in the southernmost part of Romania, observing the abrupt fluctuations of the Danube River", said Eva, reflecting on her motivation for advocating for climate justice.
Eva believes that there’s more to do when it comes to reducing the impact of climate change, emphasizing the importance of involvement in schools, helping families reduce carbon emissions, and staying informed. She suggested that children could engage in recycling initiatives, establish separate waste collection systems in schools, and participate in programs centered around sustainability and recycling. She believes that every action, from recycling to planting trees, contributes to the overall effort against climate change.
Looking ahead, Eva plans to apply the knowledge gained at COP28 in her community. She aims to organize training sessions and discussions at school, focusing on raising awareness and encouraging sustainable practices. Additionally, she envisioned creating online initiatives to engage children regionally.
Regarding her plans, Eva expressed her commitment to organizing climate change training sessions at school and leveraging her intercultural experience to raise awareness in her community. Additionally, she envisioned creating online initiatives to engage children regionally.
Eva's participation at COP28 not only showcased her dedication to climate advocacy but also underlined the vital role children play in addressing global challenges. As she continues her journey as a youth activist, Eva's impact extends beyond borders, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and inclusion in the fight against climate change.
