Date: Wednesday, 5 June 2024

Time: 1.30 – 2.30 p.m. (East Africa Time)

Location: Conference Room 10, United Nations Office in Nairobi (In person participation is opne for registered participants of the Second Global Meeting of National Focal Points ONLY)

Recording: coming soon

In the current era marked by interconnected planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, the urgency to secure a sustainable and equitable future for present and future generations has never been more pressing. Furthermore, all steps taken towards the fulfilment of the SDGs or tackling the triple planetary crisis should emphasize the need for inclusive and active participation of all stakeholders, with a particular focus on meaningful youth engagement, to advance the principle of intergenerational equity. 

Our interactive panel “Understanding Stakeholder Engagement in Environmental Democracy”, seeks to understand the importance of environmental democracy and the role of stakeholders, especially children and youth in shaping environmental laws and policies at the local, national, and international levels. This event highlights the importance of stakeholder action toward the fulfilment of intergenerational responsibility and underscores the necessity for the establishment of transparent, participatory, and stakeholder-centered governance processes, especially with respect to environmental governance. 

Objective >>

The primary objective of this side event is to catalyze meaningful youth engagement in the realm of environmental democracy. We hope to understand how the successive generations, as stakeholders, can engage and shape the environmental policies and laws of member states at the local, national and international levels. 

In doing so, we also aim to explore the importance of youth participation in participatory democracies, the best practices established for improved children and youth, and other stakeholder engagement, and what member states can do to improve environmental democracy. 

Thematic Focus >>

Environmental Justice: The event focuses on the impact of stakeholder engagement, especially vulnerable groups like indigenous people, children and youth, women, etc., on addressing the disproportionate impact of the three planetary crises on such vulnerable communities.

Environmental Democracy: The event's thematic focus centers on the role of youth, as a cross-cutting constituency,  in the engagement of environmental democratic processes, the best practices of member states in the establishment of environmental democratic processes, and steps that can be taken towards improving the existing environmental governance systems to further facilitate stakeholder engagement.

Intergenerational Responsibility: The event underscores the concept of intergenerational responsibility and how it relates to participation in environmental democracy.

Expected Outcomes >>

• Enhanced awareness and understanding of the pivotal role of youth in addressing the Triple Planetary Crises and sustainable development.

• Develop a set of actionable conclusions on the role of children and youth in participating in environmental governance processes and the role of member states in the establishment of the same. 

Speakers of the Session >>

• Danny Rahdiansyah, Deputy Permanent Representative of Indonesia to UNEP

• Clement Peyeur, Deputy Permanent Representative of France to UNEP

• Edwin Mwangi, Climate Governance Movement

• Andres De Castillo, Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)

• Veena Balakrishnan, Founder, Youth Negotiators Academy

Resources >>

This side event was organized by the Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP

 with the support of UNEP Secretariat of the Montevideo Programme

For more information, kindy reach out to:

• Aishwarya V, Focal Point, CYMG Environmental Law and Rights Working Group; aishwaryav561@gmail.com

• Sharon Mutende and Clive Donnley Omondi, Focal Points, CYMG Policy Coordination Group; sharon.mutende@gmail.com and donnleyclive@gmail.com