April 4, 2024 – The Global Centre for Climate Mobility (GCCM) launched the Latin America & Caribbean Climate Mobility Youth Forum with an event that brought together over 250 stakeholders. This two-hour session delved into the realities of climate mobility in the region and featured keynote speeches from distinguished regional ministers, youth delegates, and experts. A dedicated segment allowed youth participants to exchange priorities and innovative ideas.
“We are here to weave a tapestry that spans continents and cultures that fosters a community of leaders that are as diverse as the ecosystems we vow to protect,” said H.E. Kerryne Z. James, Minister for Climate Resilience, the Environment & Renewable Energy of Grenada.
“Shifting power is not just about talking, it’s about financing, it’s about supporting, it’s about recognizing that if we are going to give young people the opportunity to be innovative, to be creators, to be solution providers, then they have to be resourced,” said H.E. Dr. Joyelle Clarke, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action & Constituency Empowerment of St. Kitts and Nevis.
The Forum seeks to elevate youth voices and actions, encouraging meaningful participation in tackling climate mobility challenges and advancing people positive adaptation.
“Every action we take, and every idea presented today will have a significant impact on the present and the future,” said Ms. Alexa Silva Varela, Climate Mobility Youth Delegate from Costa Rica. “With this network, we are laying the foundations. We will create spaces for learning, discussion, and empowerment.”
“We are here to listen to how we can best support you and how we can co-develop solutions with you, from climate literacy and raising awareness to practical solutions that can help improve livelihoods on the ground,” said Ms. Sarah Rosengaertner, Deputy Managing Director of the Global Centre for Climate Mobility. “I am looking forward to starting this process with you in the region, and across regions as a global coalition that moves this agenda forward.”
The Latin America & Caribbean Climate Mobility Youth Forum is convened by the GCCM in partnership with UNICEF, the Migration Youth & Children Platform (MYCP), and the YOUNGO Migration Working Group.
Contact: David Lonnberg, lonnberg@climatemobility.org, +1 347 836 2121
About the Latin America & Caribbean Climate Mobility Youth Forum
The Latin America & Caribbean Climate Mobility Youth Forum is designed to be a groundbreaking initiative that empowers young individuals across Latin America and the Caribbean to actively engage in dialogues and actions addressing climate mobility challenges. Climate mobility, encompassing both the migration driven by climate change impacts and the displacement of communities due to environmental factors, is a pressing issue in our regions. This forum aims to harness the energy, creativity, and innovative spirit of youth to propose sustainable solutions and advocate for meaningful policy changes.
About the Global Centre for Climate Mobility
The Global Centre for Climate Mobility (GCCM) is a global partnership at the nexus of climate action and human mobility to enable positive adaptation journeys for people and communities at the frontline of the climate crisis. It is enabled by the United Nations and advanced by champion countries, UN Agencies, the World Bank, and regional organizations with support from philanthropy, civil society organizations and research partners. The GCCM supports community transition in the most vulnerable regions through regional initiatives that enable countries and frontline communities to anticipate, plan, and design responses for climate mobility. It currently enables the implementation of the Africa Climate Mobility Initiative, the Greater Caribbean Climate Mobility Initiative, the Pacific Climate Mobility Initiative, and the Rising Nations Initiative. The GCCM also acts as the secretariat for the Pacific Island Communities Climate Fund and the Coalition for Addressing Sea-Level Rise & its Existential Threats (C-SET).
