The final day of Power Shift was all about action. How the
participants could bring together all they’d learnt over the last few days
along with their ideas, passion, motivation and experience to foster action in
their respective regions to address climate change.
The morning plenary provided a platform for an inspirational
presentation from young New Zealand local Councillor; Jinty McTavish and an
update from the NZ youth delegation to the UNFCCC climate change negotiations
in Doha, Qatar. Jinty spoke about how local government can be useful in
fostering a change; through the provision of new bike paths, changes in rubbish
collection and planning issues. The presentation by Jinty highlighted how
important the youth voice is in a government setting and how youth involvement
brings with it real innovation and change.
Following the plenary, all the participants from the Pacific
gathered together to discuss how to deliver a unified campaign across their
geographically diverse region. The theme ‘100% possible to be heard’ was chosen
and the vision was drafted and is currently being finalised.
The campaign will focus on highlighting the pacific voice to
portray the very real effects of climate change that are being felt in the
region. Driven by pacific islanders and youth in particular, the campaign aims
to take advantage of existing strengths in the region. Plans include utilising
the region’s strong cultural identity and traditions as well as mobilising the
tourism industry.
The main message to come from day three and the conference
as a whole was that there are many young people across the Pacific ready to
stand up and speak, they are already acting on climate change within their own
nations what they need is support from the rest of the world. It was extremely heartening
to see the strength of the Pacific voice and the passion within the young
people that attended, thanks for a fantastic three days Power Shift!
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