…..
Applications are now open for the Regional Youth Parliament on Climate Action (RYPCA) to leverage the energy, creativity, diversity, and passion of young leaders in the Asia-Pacific region, drawing on their extensive knowledge and firsthand experiences to profoundly shape and influence climate policies at both national and regional levels.
It seeks to create a platform to enhance their role in climate policy formulation, focusing on underrepresented areas like National Adaptation Plans and National Determined Contributions, fostering peer-to-peer exchanges on lobbying, and implementing ambitious climate policy strategies. This initiative recognizes the contributions of youth in pushing their country’s climate ambitions and garnering their experience will aid in strategizing avenues to accelerate more governments to create official policy mechanisms for youth to participate.
Objectives
- Enhanced Youth Participation in Climate Governance:
- Establish the Regional Youth Parliament on Climate Action (RYPCA) as a platform for meaningful engagement and participation of youth leaders in climate governance, specifically targeting the enhancement of their role and influence in climate-related decision-making processes in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Focus on strategies for increasing the participation rates of youth in the formulation and implementation of ambitious climate policies, particularly National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), to address the current issue of underrepresentation.
- Actively work with senior parliamentarians, ministers, and regional organizations to draft and implement more ambitious objectives within regional, national, and sub-national climate policy frameworks.
- Capacity Building and Empowerment:
- Foster peer-to-peer exchanges within RYPCA to facilitate discussions on effective lobbying strategies and share experiences, simultaneously equipping young leaders with the necessary skills for effective climate negotiations. This could include engagement with Child and Youth Councils to reach a younger group (14-17 year olds) who will soon reach the age to engage in Youth Parliament and other processes.
- Advancement of Inclusive Climate Governance:
- Promote inclusivity and representation in climate governance, by recognizing and integrating the unique perspectives and contributions of the diverse youth demographic – a group significantly affected by climate change – as key stakeholders, ensuring their voices, especially from marginalized and vulnerable groups who typically struggle to access these spaces, are not only heard but also hold substantial value and influence in the decision-making process.
- Acknowledge and recognize good practices by Governments that enhance the inclusion of young people in Climate Governance by documenting and celebrating good progress.
- Networking and Collaboration:
- Establish and maintain a dynamic network and collaborative platform for young leaders throughout the Asia-Pacific region via RYPCA, which will not only facilitate ongoing exchanges of ideas, strategies, and experiences but also create ample opportunities for youth to engage in collaborative environments.
Cost Covered
- Selected applicants will be invited to attend a virtual session and in-person component (location and date to be confirmed). Any cost incurred (flights and accommodation) will be borne by the organizers and a daily per diem will also be included during the stay.
- Once the event has concluded members are also expected to dedicate 6 hours per week with meetings at one-month intervals. They may elect to meet more often than this by consensus.
What to expect?
For an initial duration of 12-18 months, 15 youths between the ages of 18-35 will:
- Influence decision-making processes and address their underrepresentation in climate policies such as NAPs and NDCs.
- Participate in peer-to-peer learning, networking, and collaboration opportunities.
- Be equipped with the skills needed for climate negotiations.
Who can apply?
- Members of diverse governmental and legislative bodies with a proven track record in climate legislation are invited to apply.
- The RYPCA seeks gender and geographical balance, with applicants from North East Asia, South East Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific.
- Applications from marginalized groups, including women, Indigenous youth, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable communities, are encouraged.
