An organisation of young activists concerned about climate change and the world’s concerted response to the problem has put on display, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP18/CMP8), “the hopes” of 1.5bn young people not represented at the negotiations.
“We demand the rights to a safe and secure future,” read one of the signs displayed the other day at the entrance to the Qatar National Convention Centre, where delegates, observers and media convene daily for the conference, which runs until December 7.
The message was written by a young citizen of Nauru - a Pacific  island  state extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change - and displayed by a team calling themselves Connected Voices.
“We are partnering the youth attending COP with those who couldn’t come,” Sam Sharp, of the New Zealand Youth Delegation, was quoted as saying by the website of COP18/CMP8.
The group wants to highlight that fewer than 20 youth organisations are attending the conference.
“For every country with direct youth representation, there are three countries without it. This is unacceptable,” David Gawith, the New Zealand Youth Delegation spokesman, said. “We are determining their future without hearing their voice.”
According to Sharp, her group will meet other youth organisations attending COP18/CMP8 to co-ordinate a common youth voice. This includes regional groups, including the Arab Youth Climate Movement.
“We are uniting all youth here, no matter where you are from,” she said.
Connected Voices members stood in a row beside the moving walkway where nearly all participants enter the venue in the morning. They held up signs with messages from those youth who could not make it to Doha.
“Dear Negotiators, 1.5bn youth are not directly represented at COP18. Your decision must reflect their demands,” read one sign.
The New Zealand Youth Delegation started Connected Voices and managed to develop links with other youth groups around the world.
Through e-mail and social networks, the New Zealand group compiled pictures, stories and direct messages into a presentation that they made at the Conference of Youth. Young people from around the world are joining the project to raise awareness of their cause.
“I’m here supporting the team in any way I can,” said Sam Lange.