Our Principles & Commitments

The ICJ as the primary judicial organ of the United Nations has the power to put a human rights lens on climate change, it helps others to understand the seriousness of the issue and awakens the consciousness of the world. We hope that the advisory opinion can contribute its part and simultaneously embrace other groups organizing for global climate justice.  

We envision the Advisory Opinion to be a facilitator for collective action and collaboration. We do not seek to shame, but rather encourage, motivate, highlight, compliment and inspire action and commitment.

  1. WYCJ stands for what we believe is right. We practise what we preach. 

  2. We believe in frontline-leadership. The most impacted, youth from frontline communities in leadership. . 

  3. WYCJ is an empowering space, which makes members feel optimistic, hopeful and encouraged. 

    • We enable, we do not command. 

    • We welcome new people, pay deliberate attention. 

    • We have basic procedures in place to enable new members to partake. 

    • We seek, through our empowerment, to educate and activate young people. 

  4. WYCJ is an inclusive and welcoming space for ALL. 

    • We welcome people coming with a variety of identities; we welcome Indigenous people. We welcome Black people to the space. We welcome People of colour. We welcome people with a trans-identity. We welcome people with queer identities. We welcome people with disabilities. We welcome women and girls. We welcome people with different stories of migration. We welcome people with different histories of formal and informal education. We welcome people communicating in all languages. 

  5. WYCJ aims not to perpetuate historic systemic injustices.

    • WYCJ seeks to be a decolonial and anti-oppressive space. We seek to challenge the unjust exercise of power or authority. 

    • WYCJ is an anti-fascist space. 

    • We seek to expose inequalities and forms of injustices. We seek to make the invisible visible and expose the hidden. 

  6. Solidarity is a core element of WYCJ.

    • We act in solidarity with youth and those vulnerable to the impacts of the climate crisis. 

  7. WYCJ is a feminist space.

    • We seek to challenge the patriarchy whenever and wherever we organize. 

  8. WYCJ believes in climate justice. 

    • We believe in common but differentiated responsibility. 

    • WYCJ strives for intergenerational equity.

    • WYCJ ensures a focus on human rights in responding and addressing the climate crisis.

    • WYCJ is a democratically organized space. 

  9. WYCJ is a youth-led movement:

    • We recognize that our strength is that we have an honest and vital interest. 

    • We do not pretend to be what we are not.

    • We seek advice from our peers, and older generations and value all such wisdom. In the end, youth make the decisions.

  10. We assume Members of WYCJ are well-intended; we ask questions to clarify.

  11. WYCJ remains non-violent in everything we do. 

  12. The campaign is an inclusive process. 

    • We use accessible languages. 

    • We translate materials. 

  13. We acknowledge the efforts  and celebrate the leadership by those before us; We stand on the shoulders of changemakers from past and present. 

  14. We see our work as a piece of the puzzle, we must work together with other groups to amplify our efforts. 

Living up to these principles and commitment is an on-going process. We continue to develop and build upon them. If you have any questions relating to any of our principles or commitments, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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