For the first time in the history of international climate negotiations, the Canadian government has removed all youth positions on the official negotiating team attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference. The Minister of the Environment officially selects this team.
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"It is common courtesy to include a diverse representation of Canadians when it comes to representing the country on an international scale," says Naomi Devine of the Canadian Youth Delegation (CYD). "It is our future that is on the table at these kind of talks. Of all the people to be involved, it is our generation."
Despite the removal of government support, over 20 Canadian youth have fundraised their own way to Nairobi, Kenya to make their voice heard and to represent the Canadian youth generation. Canada currently has more than double the youth representatives at this United Nations meeting than any other country in the world.
"Minister Ambrose's delegation itself is very open to youth engagement at this point," says Zoë Caron, Communications Liaison for CYD. "And it would be encouraging to see that trend continue once Minister Ambrose arrives to lead the delegation, despite the precedence she has set with us."
The Canadian Youth Delegation has called the Minister's office over 20 times in the last 3 weeks and has yet to receive a response. Non-governmental organizations and businesses were also removed from the official Canadian Delegation. Environment Minister Ambrose arrives in Nairobi next Tuesday.