WYCJ Europe hosts capacity-building camp for 24 campaigners
On Thursday 30th of March 2023, 24 European-based youth activists gathered in Berlin for the 2023 World’s Youth For Climate Justice (WYCJ) four-day capacity-building camp. The 24 campaigners came from across Europe including Belgium, Brazil, France, Finland, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, the Netherlands, and the UK, and stayed for three nights in the NaturFreundehaus Hermsdorfer Fließtal. These youth activists came together to learn about the origins and achievements of the WYCJ campaign, to strengthen advocacy and communication skills and learn about international climate change law through expert masterclasses, and to work together to create the next steps for the European front.
Taking place the day after the UN General Assembly resolution was adopted to request the ICJ Advisory Opinion, the camp started with a celebration of this key milestone in the campaign. Setting the scene for the four-day camp, Aoife Fleming WYCJ’s legal coordinator gave a presentation on the origins and achievements of the campaign.
Aoife Fleming presenting on the origins and achievements of the youth campaign for an ICJAO
Bringing together a mixture of campaigners some of whom were new to the campaign and others who had been involved for a while, the camp included expert masterclasses. Lea Main-Klingst lawyer at ClientEarth, delivered a masterclass on explaining the benefits and workings of international adjudication. Vivian Schroder, Impact producer at the Interactive Media Foundation, hosted a masterclass on communicating with impact, and Shirleen Chin, campaigner with Stop Ecocide International, delivered a masterclass on key advocacy skills for the youth campaigners.
Lea Main-Klingst presenting on the benefits of international adjudication for climate action
Equipped with key knowledge and skills on the ICJAO campaign, the campaigners participated in ‘action blocks’ to determine a pathway forward for the European front. The campaigners will remain involved in the campaign and engage with NGOs and governments in their countries.
Vivan Schroder presenting on how to communicate a story with impact
Are you interested in getting involved with the European front? Join the European front here.
