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COP29: Advocating for Youth Engagement and Empowerment for Climate Action
COP29, the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, amid criticism from civil society that the negotiations failed to address the needs of the Global South. During the conference, Peace Boat took a proactive role in championing youth engagement and empowerment, organizing a series of side events to highlight the central role of young people in the climate movement, especially those from the Global South and on the front lines of the climate crisis. These events amplified youth voices and showcased their capacity to lead in the fight against climate change.
Peace Boat’s side event "ACE and Capacity Building for Youth Leadership: Needs, Gaps, and Opportunities," co-hosted with the Global Youth Development Institute (GYDI), focused on Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE). The session explored the current state of ACE, the ACE Action Plan, and its implementation, with an emphasis on how youth can play an essential role in shaping and delivering climate solutions.
Timothy Damon from GYDI provided an insightful overview of the ACE framework, discussing its importance for engaging and empowering youth. Hussein Kassim from CCSSE shared his experiences in Ghana, detailing local initiatives that have successfully utilized ACE to educate and mobilize young people in climate action.
Emilie McGlone, Director of Peace Boat US, spoke about the organization’s Youth for SDGs scholarship programs, which provide young people with unique learning experiences and leadership opportunities. Khadija Stewart, a Peace Boat alumna and founder of Ecovybz Environmental Creatives and EcoSeas Caribbean shared her journey, explaining how she has used ACE to empower youth and build climate resilience in her home country of Trinidad and Tobago. Valentina Jimenez, a youth leader from Ecuador who participated in the 117th Peace Boat voyage, also spoke about her experience onboard and how it shaped her understanding of global climate issues.
The session concluded with presentations from Global Kids, a New York-based non profit organization that provides educational and leadership opportunities for youth and long-term partner of Peace Boat. Ahmed Elsayed and Munab Hasnain, both of whom are involved in Global Kids' climate programs, shared their experiences in capacity-building initiatives, with a focus on public health and social justice aspects of climate change.
Renewable Energy: A Pathway to Decarbonizing the Maritime Sector
Yoshioka Tatsuya, Peace Boat’s founder, shared the vision behind the Ecoship, emphasizing its potential to serve as a model for sustainable maritime travel and climate action. Reene Smith, a Global Ambassador for the Blue Planet Alliance, shared insights from Grenada’s efforts to integrate renewable energy into its national climate resilience strategies, highlighting the importance of ecosystem-based adaptation. Luca Mantovani, a youth representative and member of Harvard University’s Energy and Environment Club, also spoke about the importance of renewable energy solutions and how they can contribute to broader climate goals. Peace Boat US is working to create more opportunities for university students working on sustainability to participate in various international fora including COP and the upcoming UN Ocean Conference.
Ocean Conservation and Youth Leadership
In partnership with the Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI), Peace Boat hosted a side event that focused on youth leadership in ocean conservation and climate resilience. This session explored how young people are driving the global movement to protect the oceans and advance sustainable practices. Yassine Ghedira, a youth representative from OPRI, discussed the growing role of young leaders in ocean policy and the critical need for their active involvement in shaping solutions for marine conservation. Lucas Marx, a postdoctoral investigator at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, emphasized the connection between scientific research and youth-led conservation efforts. The session also featured Khadija Stewart, an alumnus of Peace Boat’s Youth for SDGs program and Bodhi Patil, founder of Ocean Uprise. Both shared their work in ocean conservation and the importance of youth-led initiatives in fostering a sustainable future for our shared ocean.
Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion: Youth Driving Climate Ambition
At the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion, Peace Boat facilitated a youth-led event focused on climate ambition and adaptation in the Pacific region. This event brought together young leaders from the Pacific, Kenlie and other ocean states to discuss the critical role of peer-to-peer exchanges and capacity building in strengthening climate resilience. The session highlighted how youth are leading efforts to integrate traditional knowledge and innovative solutions to combat the impacts of climate change.
SDG Pavilion: Storytelling for Climate Action
In collaboration with Care About Climate, Peace Boat co-hosted a session at the SDG Pavilion titled "Youth Leadership in SDGs: Talk Story for Climate Action." The event emphasized storytelling as a powerful tool for raising awareness and fostering action on climate change. Khadija Stewart shared her experience with Peace Boat’s Youth for SDGs program, encouraging youth to work together and build creative networks for ocean and climate action. Participants also shared their personal stories of the impacts of climate change on local communities and the innovative solutions that are being implemented around the world.
Film Festival: The Power of Film for Climate Action and the United Nations Ocean Decade
As part of its commitment to amplifying youth voices in climate action, Peace Boat hosted a Film Festival for the UN Ocean Decade at the Extreme Hangout. This festival featured a selection of short films showcasing the incredible biodiversity of pristine regions, including Patagonia, the Caribbean, the Pacific coasts, Alaska’s fjords, and the mangrove forests of Mexico. These films not only highlighted the beauty of these regions but also underscored the urgent need to protect them from climate change.
Youth leaders from Ecuador, Colombia, the United States, and Trinidad and Tobago gathered to share their insights from the films, reflecting on the importance of ocean conservation and the role of young people in protecting marine environments. One of the festival’s highlights was a Director’s Talk with Luis Barreto, a Colombian filmmaker, who showcased his short film “HOPE” filmed during Peace Boat’s voyage to the Arctic. He also presented his 30-minute feature film, “Against the Tide: A Journey for Climate Hope,” which explores the challenges of building climate resilience in the face of adversity.
Exhibit: Showcasing Youth Programs with Global Kids
At COP29, Peace Boat partnered with Global Kids to host an exhibit highlighting the impact of youth programs in climate action. The exhibit showcased how Global Kids' initiatives are empowering youth to take on leadership roles in their communities and engage with global climate issues. Visitors learned about the transformative experiences of young leaders involved in educational programs focused on social justice, environmental sustainability, and global citizenship.
Throughout COP29, Peace Boat advocated for youth leadership and empowerment in the fight against climate change. Through side events, films, exhibits, and panel discussions, Peace Boat showcased the immense potential of young people to drive meaningful climate action. By amplifying the voices of youth leaders, particularly those from vulnerable communities, Peace Boat demonstrated that youth are not only the leaders of tomorrow—they are already shaping solutions, leading initiatives, and inspiring global change today. Their leadership is crucial to building a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future for all.