Global Kids - Youth Perspectives of COP24 in Poland
Global Kids works with youth in underserved areas, and reaches some 3000 students a week in NYC and Washington, DC.
Josiah Dunn, an 11th grade student at John Adams High School in Queens, and Saheedah Majolagbe, a 10th grade student at the High School for Medical Professions, are both active in climate issues and were sponsored by Global Kids to attend the recent UN Climate Change Conference (COP24) in Poland. CTAUN invited them to talk about what they learned there and what actions they are taking as a result. Shantanu Roy, Global Kids Senior Advisor and an alumnus of the program, served as moderator. Mr. Roy is fluent in 5 languages; his school-based programs focus on workplace development, attendance improvement, youth leadership and international affairs.
The panel was introduced by Elisabeth Shuman, CTAUN Executive Director
They were asked about their preparation for the conference, their activism in Poland and the impact they felt they made.
Josiah: We learned about the history of Poland and a few expressions in the Polish language, as well as climate events in and out of Poland. We studied the Paris Agreement, discussed the Kyoto Protocol, and why it was necessary to have these conferences over and over. We went to two Polish schools to teach about water pollution and found the kids there very knowledgeable and imaginative about the topic, though they didn’t know much of what was going on outside their own country. We also participated in a climate change rally, which we found exciting and energizing. (They demonstrated chants from the rally and got the audience involved.)
Saheedah: We learned about the effects of climate change on real people – such as job loss and other challenges.
We were invited to a youth organization, and interviewed by the media – in both cases I felt my voice as a young person was heard, not only in Poland, but by the world. Both felt they had made an impact, that Polish students were enthusiastic about activism and policy change, and that climate issues should be included in every curriculum, and could easily be incorporated into any subject area. ”Change only happens if we teach it.”
