Youth4Nature at the IUCN World Conservation Congress
If it was not clear before, it is now more clear than ever that the time to act is now. The IPCC are telling us. The IPBES are telling us. Local and frontline communities are telling us. Indigenous communities are telling us. Youth are saying it as loud as they can. The upcoming high-level meeting season - starting with the IUCN WCC through to COP15 - will be more critical than ever for our shared future, for the planet, and for nature.
From September 3 to 11, 2021, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress (WCC) will be happening in Marseille, France to set priorities and drive conservation and sustainable development action. Postponed from mid-2020, the WCC is now kicking off the tent pole climate and nature events for 2021, which are bringing decision-makers and stakeholders together in-person for the first time in almost 2 years.
As these meetings unfold, youth must be involved to have fair input on our futures. Young people keep the pressure on, call for accountability, and demonstrate to decision-makers what it means to walk the walk - showing how grassroots organisers are already leading on action across the world.
To support youth voices in high-level spaces, especially in a time of increased barriers due to COVID-19, ongoing institutional oppressions, and lack of funding, Youth4Nature is excited to be supporting a small delegation to attend the IUCN World Conservation Congress. The delegation will be working closely with other youth representatives to ensure that youth stories are amplified, to advocate for meaningful youth engagement, to participate in Nature-based Solutions decisions, and to lay the ground work for other upcoming meetings and events.
Meet the Y4N delegation!
Meet the team who will be leading the charge on behalf of Youth4Nature on-the-ground in Marseille.
Julia Bethe, Policy team Lead | France
Julia Bethe is a climate and nature nexus specialist from France. She holds two Bachelors in History and Biology from Sorbonne University and learned more about sustainable development in the first year of her Master's. She recently graduated from a Climate,
Land Use, and Ecosystem Services Master of AgroParisTech University in Paris and studied the Health Effects of Climate Change during an online course from Harvard University.
At Youth4Nature, she brings her expertise on specific topics such as Nature-based solutions, the private sector actions related to nature, agriculture and food security, and international climate negotiations.
Sarah Hanson, Regional Director for North America | Canada
Sarah is the North America Regional Director for Youth4Nature. She is an Indigenous youth from Biigtigong Nishnaabeg in Northwestern Ontario, who believes Indigenous and Non-Indigenous youth working together will create a just and sustainable future for all.
She holds the ancestral knowledge of her people from years growing up in her community and a degree in Biology from Queen’s University. She actively looks for new and exciting ways to engage with others about climate change, recently participating in the Climate Reality Projects Online Training and Earth Guardians Indigenous Youth Leadership Initiative.
Formally, she has worked with organizations like Leading Change Canada, Youth Climate Lab and the Indigenous Community-Based Climate Monitoring Program to bridge their engagement with Indigenous Peoples and strengthen their allyship practices.
Where to find us
Julia and Sarah will be speaking on panels, hosting events, and more. We’d love for you to join and connect!
More details coming soon.
Follow along
Follow us on social media as we post insights from the team, information about the events we plan to host, updates about our collaborations with the other incredible youth groups, and to learn about what happens at the IUCN World Conservation Congress!