Presidents Recommend Youth Policy Paper at Stockholm+50
Photo by Emma Berglund
June 2022
Written by Joe Wilkins
Fifty years ago, world leaders met in Stockholm for the world’s first international conference devoted to the environment. This meeting led to the landmark Stockholm Declaration and the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme, the body that oversees all UN work related to the environment. To commemorate the original Stockholm conference and the last fifty years of environmental governance, the United Nations General Assembly voted to reconvene for “Stockholm+50.”
As an international meeting, Stockholm+50 was different from the more famous assemblies and COPs of the various environmental conventions. There were no negotiations, no line-by-line text reading, and no mandatory pledges. Instead, this meeting consisted of informative side events and speeches by world leaders and stakeholders—including youth.
To represent youth is a serious responsibility. This single major group represents around 50% of the world’s population, more than any other stakeholder group. For the youth voice to be strong and united, UNEP and the meeting’s host countries, Kenya and Sweden, created a new engagement structure: the Stockholm+50 Youth Task Force.
Joe Wilkins with fellow Youth Task Force member Skw'akw'as (Sunshine) Dunstan-Moore. Photo by Patashi Pimms.
Over the last six months, I have served on this task force, which brought together representatives from youth organisations, constituencies, and other young people from around the world. As the official mechanism for youth engagement at Stockholm+50, we had an incredible opportunity and massive responsibility to get the job done.
One of the primary purposes of the Task Force was to develop a policy paper that represented the demands of young people worldwide. The Policy Paper listed numerous demands calling on world leaders to take drastic action to halt and reverse environmental damage with specific points related to biodiversity conservation. It was a six-month-long process consisting of numerous open consultations, draft revisions, tears, and laughter. This was a labour of love from my fellow task force members who devoted many hours to this paper.
But it was worth it!
Photo by Patashi Pimms.
The Youth Policy Paper was mentioned in the official Presidents' meeting summary. That might not sound like much, but trust me, to get any document mentioned in the official summary is a significant victory. What's more, the Policy Paper was not simply mentioned in passing; the presidents specifically encouraged all world leaders to look to it for guidance on implementing the vision of S+50 and ensuring intergenerational equity. Of relevance to Reserva, the Presidents asked that, given the task force's success, governments take further steps “to ensure ease of access of funds for environmental action for youth-led organizations”. That really is a massive win for youth and the planet!
Is this the end of journey? Absolutely not!
In the lead-up to UNFCCC COP27 (on climate change) and UNCBD COP15 (on biological diversity), youth worldwide need to hold world leaders accountable to the Presidents' recommendation so this promising momentum can translate into real commitments.
Want to help? You can read through our policy paper below and add your voice by writing to world leaders letter as part of our 1 Million Letters campaign.
