The Commonwealth Secretary-General and the Commonwealth Youth Climate Change Network (CYCN) yesterday launched a global competition to inspire, empower and reward young people taking action on oceans.
The #YouthLeadSDG14 Action Challenge, revealed today at COP27, will see three young activists awarded £1,000 each for their work towards the realisation of the fourteenth UN sustainable development goal (SDG14).
SDG14 emphasises how important conserving and sustainably using oceans, seas and marine resources is to the health of individuals, communities, nations and the planet.
Climate change is a huge threat to these environments – particularly in the Commonwealth where 49 of the 56 member countries have coastlines – making youth action vital to its protection for future generations to come.
Global audience
CYCN, a network of young people working to address climate issues, is spearheading this year’s competition, following a successful #YouthLeadSDG13 campaign last year on climate action.
Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, launched the challenge during an intergenerational dialogue event in the wings of COP27.
She said: “Young people are some of the loudest voices on the impact climate change is having on the planet. They are also some of the most creative, talented and innovative agents of change.
“This competition will rightly give a platform to these efforts, which deserve to be seen and applauded by populations, leaders and change-makers across the world.”
Azeez Abubakar, CYCN Partnerships and Engagement Chair, said: “We believe that youth-led action on SDG14 can have a significant impact on efforts to protect the blue economy, helping to promote an inclusive and climate-safe future for all.
“Young people have shown that they are full of ingenuity, creativity and determination when it comes to addressing the climate and protecting our environment. This competition is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate these efforts to a global audience and be rewarded for them.”
The challenge
Young people are asked to document and share their efforts towards the realisation of SDG14 with the Commonwealth Secretariat and on social media for the chance to win one of three £1,000 prizes.
Under the theme of SDG14, CYCN have come up with a list of 14 actions entrants are asked to complete as part of the #YouthLeadSDG14 Action Challenge.
The full list can be viewed here.
You must be aged 18-30, and come from Commonwealth countries, to enter.
How to enter
To take part, entrants must:
- Sign up here;
- Take photos or film videos (max 10 minutes) documenting their efforts on one or more of the 14 points;
- Submit a report via the action challenge submission form here;
- Post the content on social media using the tags #YouthLeadSDG14 and #BlueCharter, tagging @CYCNOfficial and @comsecyouth on Twitter and other social media.
Further guidance on filming and submitting content can be found here.
The videos will be posted on the Commonwealth Youth Climate Change (CYCN) social media channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) and on the Your Commonwealth website.
Submissions will be judged by a panel who will score them on their impact, scalability, creativity, innovation and sustainability.
Three winners will be picked and awarded £1000 each.
The competition closes on 8th December 2022 at 21:00GMT.
The top three winners will be announced on 11th December 2022.
Only way to save the planet is for youth to stop being degenerates. Turn to God. Bear children and build strong families. The breakdown in society is a bigger threat than this climate change scam