Australian Local Conference of Youth 2024 - Sydney Launch

**At capacity! However, if we are excited to host further sessions on Gadigal in the upcoming months. If you're interested in finding out more, follow us on social media or complete the registration form to be added to the waitlist and we can let you know! Thanks for being keen!***

The Australia Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) on Climate is about to kick off! We are excited to be launching the first session during the inaugural Climate Action Week Sydney.

What is the LCOY?
The LCOY Australia is part of a global movement of LCOYs working to compile the views of young people on climate change. In Australia it forms as a youth-led national youth conversation on climate change. The information discussed at the LCOY is compiled into a National Child and Youth Statement which is sent to the Australian Government and the United Nations Framework on Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as part of the Global Youth Statement on Climate to show what children and young people have to say about climate change. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to have your voice heard at a national and international level! 

What will happen at this session?
If you have ever been interested in learning more about international or national climate advocacy processes and contributing your voice to climate justice, this is the session for you. Guided by your hosts through discussions, we will cover everything from what is COP and how it all connects to climate justice in Australia to specific policy and climate topics. You don’t need to be an expert to come along, you just need to care. We also want to hear from you about what topics are important to include in the National Statement. What would you tell your decision-makers if you had the chance?

This will be the first session with future discussions happening around Australia until July 2024. 

Am I eligible? 

• Aged between 16 and 30 (please note, if you are under 18 you will require to provide a consent form from your parent or guardian). 
• Interested in learning more about climate advocacy
• Interested in sharing your perspectives of climate change 

Meet your hosts! 

Georgia: Georgia is a former Girl Up Teen Advisor and Plan International Australia Youth Activist in her second year of studying a double degree in Laws and Arts majoring in International Relations in Sydney. Originally from a regional area of New South Wales, Georgia is passionate about all things gender justice, especially protecting the education of girls and the impacts of climate change on women and girls. In 2023, she attended COP28 in Dubai to launch a youth-led report that she co-authored with young people from Australia, Nepal and Indonesia, For Our Futures: Youth Voices on Climate Justice and Education. She is excited to work with her fellow advocates and young people to create sustainable and impactful change for young people in Australia and around the world. 

Peta: As a UNICEF Australia Young Ambassador and climate champion, Peta is an advocate for change, wanting to ensure that children and young people have the opportunity to have a say on the world which they live in. Last year, Peta was a part of the Local Conference of Youth Youth Leadership Council, listening to young people in NSW about their experiences of climate change. In December 2023, she attended COP28 in Dubai to share what she had learned with others. 

She is a media communications and psychology student and is excited to see the LCOY grow and include diverse perspectives and experiences.

Will: Councillor HY William Chan is the youngest-ever person elected to Sydney’s governing team. As an architect and sustainable cities leader, he has an extensive track record of championing future generations. At COP28, William led as Sydney’s Head of Delegation to the UN climate negotiations and, together with Greenhouse Tech Hub, is the driving force behind establishing Climate Action Week Sydney.

William is a former UNICEF Australia Young Ambassador and Australian Youth Climate Coalition national council representative. He is an elected executive to Climate Emergency Australia, International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy. Since 2018, he has held a research appointment with Columbia University’s Climate School. 

This event is being hosted by Australian Youth For International Climate Engagement (AYFICE), Plan International Australia and UNICEF Australia, in collaboration with Councillor HY William Chan, City of Sydney. 

I’m keen! How do I sign up?

We would love for you to be involved! Please complete the RSVP to let us know that you’re interested. Once completed you will be contacted with further details of the event as well as a consent form if you are under 18.

Please note that the venue has limited capacity so registration is essential. We will do our best to ensure everyone has the opportunity to attend however cannot make that promise. We will be hosting future discussions in the coming months, so there will be other opportunities for you to share your voice as well. 

All you need to bring is yourself, a water bottle, an open mind and sense of curiosity. It will be a day of learning, connecting and sharing our thoughts.

Please note that this event will be photographed. If you are happy to be in the photos and videos, we will ask you to complete a consent form. If you do not wish to be in the photos just let us know so we can let the photographer know.