Mangrove Action Day, July 26

Mangrove Action Day is July 26th:

The Mangrove Action Project wishes to lend full support to the plans
and actions of all network members for Global Action on 26 July 2009.
MAP staff and volunteers based in the Seattle area will be attending
the 35th Annual Ballard SeafoodFest on 25-26 July, tabling at this
popular Seattle event and talking with consumers about the problems of
shrimp farming worldwide. MAP will be promoting our "Shrimp Less,
Think More" Consumer Awareness Campaign.

We ask that you and/or your organizations please join us all in a
global protest against the ongoing losses of the mangrove forest
ecosystems and the local communities that depend upon the mangroves
for their lives and livelihoods. Please send MAP your regional or
local plans for actions that are meant to commemorate this
international Day for the Mangroves! MAP would like to again share
your plans and ideas with our global network. We look forward to
hearing from you soon in this regard!

For more details, contact mangroveap@olympus.net


FUNDECOL Initiates Celebrations for International Day for the Defense
of Mangrove Ecosystems:

In Muisne, FUNDECOL is planning several activities for the July 26,
international day for the defense of mangrove ecosystems, including a
massive mangrove reforestation, agro-ecological fairs, art
competitions involving murals and contests, typical local foods and
marimba, among other activities. More than 700 people from communities
of Bolivar, Daul,

Chamanga, Bilsa, stains, Bunche and other user communities of tropical
wetland forest and mangrove ecosystem, students of colleges, schools
and universities in the province and Guangzhou, and other volunteers,
foundations and organizations working to benefit the community at the
national level will participate.


Background on Mangrove Action Day:

The plan to make this call to action arose during the In the Hands of
the Fishers Workshop held in Forteleza, Brazil in early 2003. The
workshop attendees came from Brazil, Ecuador, Honduras, Colombia and
Guatemala. The IHOF mainly focused on the issues surrounding mangrove
and salt flats endangered by expansion of the shrimp farm industry, as
well as strategies to help halt the continued expansion of these
shrimp farm ventures. It was brought up during this workshop that an
international campaign involving local fisherfolk should be undertaken
where participating NGOs and local community representatives organize
their own local events on the same day, thus linking these local
events with each other to make an international movement or action.

July 26th was chosen because of its existing significance for the
movement in Latin America led by Red Manglar. July 26th has been
called the "Day of the Mangrove," commemorating that day in 1998 when
a Greenpeace activist from Micronesia, Hayhow Daniel Nanoto, died of a
heart attack while involved in a massive protest action led by
FUNDECOL and Greenpeace, International. During this action the local
community of Muisne joined the NGOs in dismantling an illegally placed
shrimp pond in an attempt to restore this damaged mangrove zone back
to its former state. Since Hayhow's death, FUNDECOL and others have
commemorated this day as a day to remember and to take renewed action
to Save the Mangroves!

With no Greenpeace ship in sight on the horizon, we decided that the
fishermen form cooperative flotillas to protest the destructive
expansion of shrimp farming in their areas. This call to got positive
responses from Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia,
Mexico, Honduras, Nigeria, Europe and the USA. And it looks like
momentum is building globally for an annual commemoration of July 26th
as Mangrove Action Day, with some groiups organizing teach-ins, some
mangrove tree planting, wetland clean-ups, protests and letter
writing.

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New York to Host UN Climate Summit and a Week of Public Action next September

New York to Host UN Climate Summit and a Week of Public Action next
September

New York, 24 June 2009 On Tuesday, UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon
invited world leaders to an "unprecedented" Summit on Climate Change at
UN Headquarters for Heads of State and Government from every country in
the world. The focus of the day-long event will be to mobilize the
political will needed to "Seal a Deal" at the United Nations Climate
Change Conference in Copenhagen on 7-18 December.

During the week of the Summit, 21-25 September, New York City will host
"Climate Week NYC" - five days of cultural events, workshops, seminars
and other activities organized by NGOs, businesses, artists, and
academia, reinforcing the call for urgent action in Copenhagen and
beyond on climate change.

While the Summit will serve to generate momentum at the highest
political level, Climate Week will mobilize a wide cross-section of
civil society - not just in New York, but around the world - in support
of a new climate deal.

Speaking at a press conference with Mr. Bloomberg, Mr. Ban said he was
joining forces with the city and non-governmental organizations to
launch this important initiative.

"Climate change is the greatest challenge facing this and future
generations." Citing the world's leading scientists, he stressed that
there are fewer than 10 years left to stop rising emissions in order to
avoid "catastrophic" problems. "Now is the time for action," he
emphasized.

The Secretary General highlighted the significance of reaching a climate
agreement in December. "If we are to 'seal a deal' in Copenhagen, we
need to be bold and ambitious and visionary. And therefore we need the
full support and commitment of the visionary global leaders at the
highest level," he stressed.

The UN can galvanize support for climate change action, but ultimately,
Mr. Ban said, it is the world's parliaments, presidents, prime
ministers, governors and mayors who must take bold measures to tackle
climate change.

"Seal the Deal" is a global UN campaign for a fair, balanced and
effective climate agreement at the

United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009.
Global public support is crucial if governments are to "seal the deal"
on a new climate agreement in Copenhagen. Thousands of people have
already added their voice to the global chorus by signing the Climate
Petition on the campaign website at www.sealthedeal2009.org.

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The Climate Petition Seal the Deal!

The Climate Petition
Seal the Deal!

The world urges world leaders to:

Seal the Deal at COP 15 on a climate agreement that is definitive, equitable and effective.

Set binding targets to cut greenhouses gases by 2020 to avert the climate change threat.

Establish a framework that will bolster the climate resilience of vulnerable countries and protect lives and livelihoods.

Support developing countries’ adaptation efforts.

Seize this defining opportunity to protect People and the Planet.

Power green growth; launch the green, low carbon economy of tomorrow

Seal the Deal
Power Green Growth
Protect People and the Planet

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Youth Action on Climate Change

Youth Action
Youth Action on Climate Change

On 21 September 2009, UNEP with the support of several partners including UNICEF, UNESCO, FAO, WMO, the Secretariat of the Convention for Biological Diversity (CBD), the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scout (WAGGGS) and 350 degrees hopes to bring together over one million young people to march across one hundred capitals to deliver to global leaders the Seal the Deal Petition on behalf of the world’s three billion young people.

The Seal the Deal Petition will be developed online and finally agreed to in Daejeon, South Korea at a Global Townhall during the Tunza International Children and Youth Conference. Organized against the backdrop of the world wide campaign on climate change “Seal the Deal”, the petition aims to ensure the voices of youth reach, and hopefully inspire world leaders to sign a definitive climate deal in Copenhagen.
“Seal the Deal” Youth Action Activities:

Children and Youth Conference on Climate Change
17- 25 August - Daejeon, South Korea
The Conference will bring together 1,000 participants comprising 750 children (10 to 14 years) and their chaperones and 250 youth (15 to 24 years). The theme of the conference is Climate Change - Our Challenge and will include two high profile events (A Global Townhall and a Global Debate). The Conference will result in a petition to world leaders and an action plan for promoting individual actions on climate change.

Global Townhall (20 August 2009)
The Global Townhall meeting will include all 1,000 participants of the Conference and virtual participants from over 20 cities around the world connected via webcasting. The Townhall will adopt a petition on climate change for governments and will discuss a rollout plan on the delivery of the petition in over 100 capitals around the world. It will also discuss the action plan for individual actions. The following countries have already confirmed their participation via webcasting in the townhall (Kenya, Sweden, the UK, Switzerland, Mexico and India). It will be organized with the support of the US-based Global Voices.

Global Debate on Climate Change (20 August 2009)
At least three high level political leaders, several business leaders, senior UN dignitaries and young business and political leaders will join the 1,000 participants of the Tunza Conferences to discuss the scenarios that the global community will be faced with in the event of a deal or no deal at the climate change conference in Copenhagen.

UniteforClimate Online Campaign
UniteforClimate is an interactive social networking platform developed by UNICEF in collaboration with UNEP. It provides a platform for young people to learn, interact and share their thoughts about climate change and the action needed to combat global warming.

UniteforClimate encourages young people to interact with scientists and decision-makers to build their capacity and knowledge. Young people will also be encouraged to interact with other young people to discuss the issues they find pertinent to the earth and their own future.

Virtual Climate Wall
A Virtual Climate Wall will allow young people to articulate their concerns on climate change so the world can understand why the next generation feels it is imperative to reach agreement in Copenhagen. This Climate Wall will be projected at UN headquarters during the General Assembly meeting on 22 September.

Global Action Week on Climate Change
20-25 September 2009
Young People from around the world will be invited to join a Global Action Week on Climate Change from 20-25 September 2009. The Action week is being organized in partnership with the world’s leading environmental NGO’s and coincides with the UN General Assembly Summit in New York on 22 September 2009.

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The Youth Conference on Climate Change 5th – 6th June, Oslo, Norway

The Youth Conference on Climate Change is a cooperation project between LNU (The Norwegian Children and Youth Council) and UNA Norway (The United Nations Association of Norway). We want The Youth Conference on Climate Change to be an arena for youth to discuss and learn more about climate changes, and a arena were youth speak out and demand to be heard in the issue of climate change. The Norwegian Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim will visit the Conference.

Main goals for the Youth Conference on Climate Change:
Youth have increased knowledge and commitment to the issue of climate change in a North / South perspective
Youth are heard / participants in the climate change debate and is conscious of their responsibility and their ability to influence politics on climate change
Enhanced international contact and cooperation between the participating children and youth organizations

Target group: Youth organizations and their members in Norway (ca.120 participants, age limit: 15 years). The main aim for the Youth Conference on Climate Change is to reach a wide range of Youth organizations and their members, also those who do not primarily work with the issue of climate change.

Specific goals:
• Increase knowledge about climate change and climate change in a North / South perspective
• Increase knowledge about youth rights to be heard and participate in the issue of climate change. One also wants to focus up on youth’s responsibility of taking action (the United Nations Convention on the Right of the Child § 12)
• Increase knowledge about the negotiations around a new international agreement on how to fight climate change
• Give the participating organizations the knowledge and position to influence decision-making, both nationally and internationally
• Give the participants from North and South the opportunity to share experiences on how to work with the issue of climate change and youths right to be heard
• Youth gets together and direct common claim to the Norwegian authorities and their climate policy
• A broad range of youth organizations are concerned about, and working on the issue of climate change


Climate change in a North / South perspective and the negotiations for a new international agreement on climate change have been selected as a topic because it is a very important issue. The issue of climate change gets extra important this year because of the International climate change conference in Copenhagen in December. Children and youths right to participate and to be heard is enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Right of the Child § 12, the convention is 20 years this year. Combining the themes climate change and children and youths right to be heard and participate fall naturally. It is children and youth who are the future and that will live on this earth in the years to come. Children and youth are therefore entitled to be heard when politicians makes decisions that sets essential premises for the future of children and youth. Youth and youth organisations should have knowledge of, and the ability to, influence political decision making, both nationally and internationally also when it comes to the issue of climate change. For youth to realize their own responsibility it is essential that youth are aware how the climate changes impact unfairly. Rich countries emit most greenhouse gasses, while poor countries are affected by the worst consequences.

The program for the Youth Conference on Climate Change:
The conference will last two days.

Program on Friday, 5th of June:
Program for the Youth Conference on Climate Change starts at 5 PM.
Lectures about: technology and climate change, refugees and climate change and The Philippines and the issue of Climate Change.
“Climate Divide and Bangladesh”, short movie made of the YWCA Bangladesh.

Content for the program Saturday, 6th of June:
The importance of youths participation
The right to be heard in the climate change issue
How climate change affect unfairly. Rich countries emit most greenhouse gasses, while poor countries are affected by the worst consequences.
Partners from countries in the South are present, exchange and dissemination of the situation in the partners homeland
Training: learning how to use a information kit about climate change (for the participants to take back to their own organizations)
Training: what is the current situation when it comes to climate and climate change? What will happen if we don’t do anything?
Introduction to climate treaties, etc. What will happen at the International climate change conference in Copenhagen in December? What can we affect and how?
Visit from the Norwegian Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim. The Minister will give a greeting speech. The participants at the Youth Conference on Climate Change will get the opportunity to ask questions and post demands.
Petition with common requirements from the youth organisations
Viewing of films about climate change. The films are made of four different partner organizations from countries in the South. The films are about how these partners experiences climate change and how they work with the issue
Group exercises. How can one work with the issue of climate change, and how can on influence politics?
Role-play about climate changes and negotiation, where one will discuss and debate to reach some joint statements
"Writing course", learning how to write short texts about climate change and the role of youth

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Call for project proposals: Climate Change

Call for project proposals: Climate Change

With assistance from the Government of Denmark, the Frontlines Forum is now calling for community-level projects focusing on local experiences with climate change impacts and adaptation

BackgroundDespite broad recognition that small island, Arctic, high altitude and other vulnerable communities are on the frontlines of climate change, community voices have remained on the margins of global climate change debates. It is these voices, however, that most need to be heard. They provide first hand evidence, experience and expertise on climate change impacts and adaptation.

In response to this concern, the global internet forum On the Frontlines of Climate Change was launched in June 2008 by UNESCO, in partnership with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Secretariat of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights.

The goals of the Frontlines Forum are to:

*
Draw international attention to the knowledge and experiences of indigenous communities and peoples living in small island, Arctic, montane, desert margin and other vulnerable environments;
*
Seek community-level observations on climate change impacts, as well as local efforts to cope with and adapt to these changes;
*
Provide an opportunity for communities to voice their observations, experiences and concerns, and to share and exchange them with other communities;
*
Build up a global database of local observations, experiences, practices and coping strategies;
*
Support community-level research and educational activities related to climate change, highlighting the role of local knowledge, practices and coping strategies;
*
Heighten the profile of local and indigenous peoples in international climate change debates, to build recognition of their unique knowledge and expertise.

What are we funding?Community-level projects focusing on local experiences with climate change and its impacts. These could involve field research, interviews with community members, workshops, photo projects, film projects etc.

Who are we funding?Proposals can be made by interested groups or individuals, for example, local and indigenous organisations, research centres, researchers, graduate students with interdisciplinary training, community members (youth groups, women, elders) etc.

What topics?Projects could explore any topic relating to climate change and local communities. For example:

*
a) Local observations and understandings of climate change impacts (negative or positive) on communities, livelihoods or local environments;
*
b) Ways that your community is adapting to or dealing with climate change;
*
c) Strategies and practices developed by local communities to cope with changes in the environment;
*
d) Local impacts (positive or negative) of measures to fight climate change. For example, planting trees to reduce greenhouse gases (through carbon sequestration); or building hydroelectric dams or avoiding deforestation (e.g. REDD) to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.

However, we invite all kinds of proposals related to climate change and local communities, so do not feel limited by these suggestions.

What output?Your project should result in a detailed account – either in the form of a written report, a video or other media production - in English, Spanish or French. It should contribute to a growing body of information about community-level concerns, observations and experiences relating to climate change impacts and adaptation. These submissions will also contribute to the development of postings and discussions on the Frontlines of Climate Change Forum.

Where are we funding?We invite proposals from anywhere in the world, as long as they are for local-scale projects involving peoples and places vulnerable to climate change.

How much funding are we providing?Between US$3000 and USD$5000 per project. Further funding may subsequently be provided for projects with interesting outcomes.

When are we funding?Project grants will be distributed from mid-2009 onwards. Initial results would be expected before October 2010.

What is the deadline for submission?Proposals should reach UNESCO on or before 15 July 2009

How do I apply?

1.
Download the project proposal form here
2.
Complete the proposal form and submit by email to peoples@climatefrontlines.org using the subject heading: "Frontlines field project proposal"
Submissions can be made in English, French or Spanish.
3.
If your project proposal is shortlisted, we will contact you for further information.
For further information, please write to peoples@climatefrontlines.org

Attachment: FRONTLINES-project-proposal-form.doc

Moreinfo: http://www.climatefrontlines.org/en-GB/node/191

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WSYA WINNERS 2009 YOUNG PEOPLE ACT ON UNITED NATIONS MILLENNIUM GOALS USING INTERNET CONTENTS

WSYA Winners 2009
Young People act on United Nations Millennium Goals using Internet Contents

From online music and TV communities to interactive gaming platforms to e-learning applications and HIV/AIDS resources, the World Summit Youth Award (WSYA) presents young people who use Internet and Mobiles to get Action on United Nations Millennium Development goals.

The over 600 projects were evaluated in a three-round judging process by an international jury of 20 experts in the fields of youth engagement, new media and social entrepreneurship.

The Winners are:

Category 1: FIGHT HUNGER, POVERTY & DISEASE!

* - "Lil' MDGs: Kids making Changes" by Dylan Mahalingam (13) and Pooja Dharan (11), USA
* - "Remote Patient Monitoring System" by Tanwani Ajay Kumar (22), Pakistan
* - "Mobile Doctor" by Andreas Jakl (27), Austria

Also among the Top 5 are the Runner-Ups...

- "mPedigree" by Ashifi Gogo (28), Ghana
- "Friendstosupport Organisation" by Shaik Shareef (28), India

Category 2: EDUCATION FOR ALL!

* - "Everything on HIV and AIDS in Iran" by Morteza Moshir Sinaei (23), Iran
* - "Alternatives: Findin New Possibilities for Youth" by Sanjeev Raj Neupane (25), Nepal
* - "Voices of Africa for Sustainable Development" by Crystal Kigoni (30), Kenya

The Runner-Ups in this category are...

- "Youthinfo" by Antoaneta Ivanova (30), Macedonia
- "Shilpa Sayura Project" by Dhanajaya Subash (26), Sri Lanka

Category 3: POWER 2 WOMEN!

* - "Dokhtiran: e-Magazine on Women's Rights" by Gholamzadeh Hamid Reza (27), Iran
* - "The Sisters 4 Peace Network" by Sejal Hathi (17), USA
* - "Empower Women and Meet Millennium Challenges" by George Onyango (29), Kenya

The Power 2 Women Runner-Up is...

- "Yemeni Feminist Activists" by Amal Al-Ashtal (23), Yemen

Category 4: CREATE YOUR CULTURE!

* - "Roots & Routes TV" by Aileen Wessely (22), Germany
* - "Savvy Chavvy" by Christy McAleese (26), Great Britain
* - "The Extraordinaries" by Jacob Colker (25), USA

Another three Runner-Ups (equaly graded) are...

- "Strengthening Networks in Turkey :Young Human Network" by Basak Saral (28), Turkey
- "Youth Culture Portal HC.LV" by Deniss Fedotovs (30), Latvia
- "Facebook Application 'Intercultural'" by Stephan Hamberger (21), Austria

Category 5: GO GREEN!

* - "Sewer Tourism" by Andrew Mutua (19), Kenya
* - "Greenlighted" by Vladimir Dubovskiy (22), USA
* - "Guardian of Eden" by Ricardo Quirante Martinez (21), Netherlands

The three Runner-Ups (equaly graded) in this category are...

- "Effects of Climate Change on the Environment" by Abe Fergusson (18), Trinidad & Tobago
- "MRP Green Project" by Jessie James Marcellones (22), Philippines
- "Green Bulgaria" by Julian Kuntorov (14), Bulgaria

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