YMCA Youth Initiatives to combat Climate Change
Last Updated (Monday, 23 May 2016 17:55)
After a long and challenging negotiation process at the UNFCCC, the COP21 ended positively with the Paris Agreement. Hundreds of cities, regions, companies and organisations have proven their strong commitment to phase out fossil energies by mid-century. With the long term mitigation goal, a mechanism to dynamically scale up each country’s action over time, a set of common transparency rules and a support package for the vulnerable, all necessary instruments are on board to move forward. COP 21 has been a milestone in the human story to tackle climate change and gives us hope for a climate friendly, resilient and more equitable future.
Paris agreement was an ambitious one. In general, we can consider it a success but… this is for us the beginning of a long journey and we will not give up until we reach nothing less than ambitious and measurable targets.
Civil society and the YMCA have been strong, important and visible during Paris. We have pressured world leaders into being more ambitious, and we have made our voices heard. YMCA should keep up the good work on an international scale as well as making strong national movements as well. Local YMCAs must now work with our ecumenical partners and civil society to ensure the compliance and commitment of our Governments to the Paris Agreement.
Concerned people, civic groups, governments and international bodies are relentlessly working to reduce carbon emissions through concerted efforts. APAY has been engaged in various environmental programs for quite a long time. Most of these efforts are focused on individual change of behavioral patterns and local action programs. Our Green Ambassadors Training program is one noteworthy program. These action programs encourage the youth in our YMCAs to be more eco-sensitive and become conscious and instrumental in preserving the nature.
In 2015 the APAY worked with Bread for the World and Heidehof Foundation to develop an e-learning on Climate Change. Over 40 Youth Representatives and Change Agents have been enrolled in this e-learning for the last 6 months and were mentored by a committed group of 10 mentors.
The Conference on Climate Change will be the final and concluding activity of our e-learning on Climate Change. It will be held in Chiangmai from 20 to 24 June 2016. Priority for participation is given to those who have completed the e-learning on Climate Change and implemented an action plan to indicate comprehension of knowledge learned. Discussions at the Conference will provide additional information on issues related to combating climate change that are not covered by the e-learning. Participants will also have opportunity to share and report on their e-learning action plans and other youth initiatives to combat climate change.
Objectives
The main objectives of the Conference are to:
i. Discuss current issues and trends in combating Climate Change.
ii. Report on action plans and evaluate the e-learning on Climate Change and Tourism
Venue of the Training Program
Our host for this conference will be the NCY of Thailand and Chiangmai YMCA.
Accommodation and conference venue will be at the Chiangmai YMCA.
Address: 11 Soemsuk Rd., Muang 50000, Thailand
Phone: +66 53 221 819
Targeted Participants
The Regional Conference on Climate Change will be the final and concluding activity of our e-learning on Climate Change. We would like to invite people who have strong interest in the environmental and climate change issues and who are interested to help the APAY in developing clear and strong advocacy and lobby work in the climate change issue. Therefore, priority for participation will be given to those who have completed the e-learning on Climate Change and have submitted to APAY an action plan.
Cost of Participation
APAY will subsidise the Participation Fee and Travel.
Registration Fee [US$50] and Green Fee [US$15] are mandatory for all participants.
Please take the cheapest and most direct flight to Chiangmai. Our partner agency also expects some contributions on our part towards this programme cost. Please indicate this in your registration form.
For matters related to participation, contact:
CHAN Beng Seng
Coordinator for Global Alternative Tourism Network (GATN)
Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs
6/F Administration Building
Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
TEL: (852)-2780 8347, 2770 3168
FAX: (852)-23854692
Regional Conference on Climate Change
20-24 June 2016, Chiangmai
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Mon. 20 June |
Tues. 21 June |
Wed. 22 June |
Thurs. 23 June |
Fri. 24 June |
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0700 – 0800 |
Arrival |
Breakfast |
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0830 – 0900 |
Opening Worship |
Worship |
Worship |
Departure |
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0900 – 1030 |
Welcome, Orientation |
Session 4a |
Session 5 |
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1030 – 1100 |
Tea/Coffee break |
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1100 – 1230 |
Session 1 |
Session 4b |
Session 6 |
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1230 – 1400 |
Lunch |
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1400 – 1530 |
Session 2 |
Session 4c contd. |
Session 7 - Workgroups: |
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1530 – 1600 |
Tea/Coffee break |
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1600 – 1730 |
Session 3 |
Session 4d |
Session 7 – cont’d |
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1730 – 1830 |
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Closing acts |
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1830 – 1930 |
Dinner |
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Session 1: Climate Change Update Session 2: Gender and Climate Change Session 3: Climate Change and Food and Water Security |
Session 4: – Combating Climate Change Session 5: SDG, Tourism and Climate Change Session 6: BftW on Climate Change Session 7: Workgroups - Action plans for APAY and YMCAs |