In line with COP26, the Canadian PM, Justin Trudeau has visited the Global Center on Adaptation in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on the 29th of October. Three IAAS members had a seat at the table together with officials from NATO, ministers from the Dutch government, mayors and business leaders. IAAS delegates brought personal stories to the table and called for more youth involvement and easier access to investments and land.
Wiladatus Sakiyah from Indonesia and member of IAAS Netherlands was one of the speakers. ” Last Friday (29 Oct), which was also a day after Indonesian youth pledge day, I was invited to Global Center on Adaptation floating office as one of the Youth Representatives. I was sending my message about more education investment for young women, especially from developing countries, as I hope more women will be brave and empowered. Then, in the future, at least there is going to be no more women with fear that sending a message during their pillow talk to their kids ‘don’t be this or that as it is gonna be risky’, but will just say ‘be everything that you want kids’.”
Aya Mounir, member of IAAS Morocco, represent Morocco, sent a strong message to push investment in youth and raise the awareness of those present to evoke the subject of the global north and south. She brought her message across in English as well as in French. The bilingual PM was intrigued by her rhetorical question and they had a nice exchange after the roundtable.
Thomas Westhoff, the Vice President of External Relations, was maybe surprisingly for some the first speaker of the roundtable, while this formality underlines again the importance of youth in facing the climate crisis. Thomas highlighted existing projects of IAAS, such as the Village Concept Projects, as well as the succesfull projects that have started with a small investment such as the project from IAAS Nepal members working on the prevention of spoilage of apples.
IAAS is ready to attend #COP26 in Glasgow! We will bring 20 students from all continents to this crucial event in this decisive year for food systems. We are demonstrating across the globe that we can bring parties together, implement the latest scientific developments into our communities and that we are looking far and wide to create change.
We act locally, but think globally! Think along with us. Our bags are packed, to speak up and make the world adapt.
