HIGHLIGHTS
The 1st Conference of Youth Climate Diplomacy Forum was held with great success at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens on 1-2 November 2024, bringing together young professionals from Greece and Southeast European countries with the aim of joint action and promoting climate diplomacy in the region.
The Youth Climate Diplomacy Forum operates under the auspices of the UNESCO Chair on Climate Diplomacy, which supports the Forum’s efforts in education and policy development on climate change at national, regional, and international levels.
On the first day, distinguished speakers presented their views on the importance of climate diplomacy. Among them was Professor Emmanuella Doussis, UNESCO Chairholder on Climate Diplomacy, who notably stated, “The time has come to turn problems into opportunities by bringing the new generation to the negotiation table”.
Support was also voiced by Dr. Giannis Manolis from the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO, Mr. Dimitris Kollias from the Ministry of Environment and Energy, Ms. Lydia Karras from the Hellenic Society for the Environment and Culture, and Mr. Sokratis Vlachakis from UNICEF Greece.
Rania Papadopoulou, Chair of Y.C.D.F., emphasized the need for the voices of young people to be heard in decision-making.
The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Dimitris Dimitriadis, President of the External Relations Section of the European Economic and Social Committee, who highlighted the crucial role of youth in international climate action. “We need your generation, the young generation, in the fight against the climate crisis,” Mr. Dimitriadis stressed, underscoring the power of collective effort for a better future.
On the second day, the first annual strategic action plan was formulated to strengthen youth climate diplomacy in Southeast Europe.
The conference concluded successfully with a commitment to further promoting climate diplomacy toward a sustainable and green future.
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The UNESCO Chair on Climate Diplomacy team participated in the Our Ocean Conference on April 15, 2024, contributing valuable insights to discussions on ocean sustainability. Chairholder Prof. Emmanuella Doussis participated in two panels, sharing insights into the vital role of universities in promoting ocean literacy and addressing climate challenges in the Mediterranean through engaging panel discussions.
In parallel with the conference, Senior Research Fellow George Dikaios attended the Youth Leadership Summit as a Youth Ocean Leader. During the panel discussion on "Navigating Waves: Essential Skills for Youth in the Blue Economy," Dr. George Dikaios and Collaborator Rania Papadopoulou provided valuable perspectives on sustainable blue skills and their impact on shaping a greener future.
Collaborator Marianna Terezaki, as well as the interns of the Institute of European Integration and Policy under the auspices of the UNESCO Chair on Climate Diplomacy, Olga Tyrologou, Anthi Gioti, and Anastasia Stamouli, also attended the event.
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The Hellenic Ministry of Enviornment & Energy and the UNESCO Chair on Climate Diplomacy held under their auspices a panel at the Greek Pavilion at the UNFCCC COP28 in Dubain on December 5, 2023. The panel title was Climate Diplomacy: Young Leaders Take the Floor and the UNESCO Chair-holder, Professor Emmanuella Doussis, was a speaker of it, among Evangelos Pastras, Florian Gasser and Eirini Sampson. Rania Papadopoulou acted as moderator. At the end of the panel, the Youth Climate Diplomacy Forum for Southeast Europe was established and it will be hosted at the UNESCO Chair on Climate Diplomacy. You can watch the panel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGG9MjQ3Lc8 (from 10.18.00 to 11.02.00).
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Professor Emmanuella Doussis was appointed Advisor to the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on European climate diplomacy. This action aims to draw up an EESC Opinion addressed to the institutions of the European Union to propose ways for the better and more efficient operation of European climate diplomacy. The Opinion is based on the proposals of experts, representatives of society and businesses. This process started at the beginning of 2023 and will be completed at the end of October 2023.
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Dr George Dikaios, Senior Research Fellow of the UNESCO Chair on Climate Diplomacy, participated in the 1st Regional Meeting of UNESCO Chairs and Centres working on South-East European and Mediterranean science issues in October 2022 in Venice, Italy. The Meeting resulted in the “Palazzo Zorzi Declaration of UNESCO science-related Chairs and Centres from South-East Europe and Mediterranean”, which regards the contribution of the Chairs to the achievement of UNESCO’s goals and the promotion of interdisciplinarity. The Declaration was then presented to the celebration of the 30 years of the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme in Paris.