Upcoming Events
World Class The Hague: Earth Day – Reasons for Hope
Date: Monday 22 April 2024, 19:00 - 21:30 CET
Location: Museon-Omniversum, President Kennedylaan 5, 2517 JK Den Haag
Registration: submit this form before 17 April
Together with World Class The Hague and Museon-Omniversum, World's Youth for Climate Justice has organised an evening that will be all about environmental and climate justice. This evening will consist of a film screening of the documentary Reasons for Hope by Jane Goodall and a lecture by Mert Kumru from the World Youth for Climate Justice.
Jane Goodall is a well-known primatologist, anthropologist, and nature conservationist. She is celebrated for her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees, environmental conservation, and rehabilitation.
After watching Jane Goodall's latest movie Reasons for Hope, WYCJ Europe Front Coordinator Mert Kumru will take you on our journey of 'bringing the world's biggest problem to the world's highest court'. Following the lecture, you can ask everything you wanted to know about our campaign to Mert during a Q&A session.
ECOSOC Youth Forum Side Event - Building a Sustainable Future for All: Youth-Led Solutions to Climate Change
Date: 17 April 2024, 13:00 - 13:30 NY Time/EST
Location: online
Registration: here.
This side event is a collaboration between Force Juvénile pour un Avenir Rassurant (FOJAR) & World’s Youth for Climate Justice (WYCJ) - Asian Front. FOJAR (a Civil Society Organization in consultative status with the ECOSOC) is a local organization based in Benin which works for the children & climate change.
The speakers aim to bring attention to one of the most pressing issues on how the climate crisis is affecting the youth and future generations (with special focus on African and Asian countries, two of the most climate vulnerable regions in the world), and how the International Court of Justice 2 could demand the countries to take urgent action to address the climate crisis by issuing an advisory opinion.
Webinar: El ABC de la Opinión Consultiva de la Corte IDH sobre la emergencia climática y derechos humanos
Fecha: Martes 16 de abril 18:00 - 19:30 GMT-6
Inscripción: aquí
Público objetivo: sociedad civil enfocada en cambio climático, abogadxs especializadxs en clima y medioambiente, juventudes.
Opinión Consultiva de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos sobre la emergencia climática y derechos humanos
Chile y Colombia presentaron ante la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (“Corte IDH”) una solicitud de opinión consultiva respecto a la emergencia climática y la afectación de derechos humanos en Latinoamérica y el Caribe. Este proceso consultivo será histórico para la región y marcará un precedente importante para el Derecho Internacional Ambiental y la justicia climática. Ello con fundamento en el artículo 64.1 de la Convención Americana de Derechos Humanos (CADH), que permite a los Estados parte de la Organización de los Estados Americanos (OEA) consultar a la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (Corte IDH) acerca de la interpretación de la CADH o de otros tratados de derechos humanos, el 9 de enero de 2023.
Prof. Saleemul Huq Memorial Public Lecture onPromoting Climate Justice: Roles of Courts and Youth
Date: Tuesday, 16 April 2024 from 16:00 - 18:00 (GMT+6)
Venue: Auditorium, Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB)
Registration: here.
Professor Saleemul Huq was a leading advocate for promoting climate justice. Over the past three decades, Professor Saleem has played a pivotal role in cultivating a 'Climate Generation' to respond to climate change, not only in Bangladesh but also worldwide.
This emerging generation comprises academics, researchers, students, youth, children, climate negotiators, policymakers, NGOs, UN agencies, and development partners. His passing represents a loss to this continuity of their efforts.
This public lecture is dedicated to Professor Saleem and aims to educate all relevant stakeholders, particularly youth and children, and launch a campaign titled 'Youth Voice for Climate Justice.'
Climate Change and the Sustainable Development Goals: Future Directions for International Law and Governance
Climate Change and the Sustainable Development Goals: Future Directions for International Law and Governance
Thursday 7 March 2024 | 14:00 – 18:00 GMT | Lauterpacht Centre for International Law, University of Cambridge, 5 Cranmer Road, Cambridge and online
The ICJ Advisory Opinion on Climate Justice: Crucial Window of Opportunity for CSOs Engagement
For the first time in history, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has the mandate to define the scope of the existing legal obligations of States to protect the human rights of present and future generations from climate-related harms. This process was made possible by the mobilization of civil society, Indigenous Peoples and Small Islands States diplomats, building upon the leadership of Pacific youth.
The coming weeks will prove crucial for the process as States are invited to submit their written views to the Court by March 22nd. The mobilization of civil society is therefore essential right now to influence this once-in-a-generation opportunity.
It is now upon us to work collectively so as to secure the participation of many States and to ensure their written submissions effectively reflect the imperative of protecting human rights and contribute to an adequate understanding of climate justice.
This briefing aims to provide an overview of the current state of the ICJ Advisory Opinion process, highlighting the importance of civil society participation and offering very concrete indications on effective engagement strategies to ensure that the ICJ Advisory Opinion delivers on its promises.
Event details:
Eastern Webinar: 22 February at 9:00-10:00 am CET (you can confirm the time of the event in your timezone here)- please register by clicking on this link
Western Webinar*: 22 February at 4:00-5:00 pm CET (you can confirm the time of the event in your timezone here)- please register by clicking on this link
*Spanish interpretation will be available during the Western session.
A video recording of the webinars will be available shortly after for all those who registered.
Speakers will include: David Boyd (via video), Vishal Prasad (PISFCC), Jule Schnakenberg (WYCJ),
Nomasongo Masiye-Moyo (Natural Justice), Joie Chowdhury (CIEL), Lavetanalagi Seru (PICAN)
European Parliament event on the ICJ Climate Case
This event is co-hosted by GreensEFA MEP Mounir Satouri and the Republic of Vanuatu.
This event is a project co-created by the Republic of Vanuatu, Pr. Emilie Gaillard, Mounir Satouri and the Basel Peace Office. It is also supported by the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development (find out more about the work of IGSD).
The event will take place in room Spaak 6B1, in the Paul Henri Spaak building of the European Parliament in Brussels.
The event will have simultaneous translation into English and French.
Register here for in person attendance.
Register here for online participation.
Webinar: ICJ Advisory Proceeding on Climate & NGO involvement
This webinar will explain what will happen before the ICJ next year, what’s at stake and how civil society may influence the debates. The webinar is co-organised by CAN Europe and WYCJ.
Panel Discussion: Public Interest Litigation for Climate Action & Journal Launch Program of Transitional Law and Policy Review
The World's Youth for Climate Justice is proud to partner for an enlightening Panel Discussion Program, diving deep into Public Interest Litigation for Climate Action, alongside the launch of the Transnational Law and Policy Review Journal.
24 November, 2023, 4:30 PM
Location: Auditorium Hall, High Court Patan, Nepal
Organized by the Student Welfare Council, Kathmandu University School of Law, and the Transnational Law and Policy Review, along with the esteemed partner—Moksh Foundation, Nepal—we're excited to host the launch.
Honorable Justice Dr. Ananda Mohan Bhattarai will grace us with his presence, adding intellectual depth to our pursuit of justice.
This is an opportunity to ignite conversations beyond boundaries, advocating for a critical cause.
Join us for an immersive experience where ideas flourish, passions ignite, and the call for climate justice reverberates through the halls of action. Let's come together and be a part of this moment!
Interested individuals can fill up this Google Form: https://forms.gle/m8vczda5bBsYn3WdA
RCOY Caribbean
Calling All Caribbean Environmentalists!
Are you passionate about developing solutions to the environmental and socio-economic challenges in your country? Join us for #RCOY2023, a Caribbean youth climate conference in Barbados from October 17-20, 2023.
Sponsorship is available for two young people (18-35) from each of the 33 Caribbean regions and territories with travel and accommodations to participate in person.
More information here: https://www.ymebahamas.org/rcoy-caribbean/
Apply for sponsorship here: bit.ly/3sioWJS
Apply to present a poster here: bit.ly/44IBZlx
Stakeholder Engagement Africa
Youth Climate Justice Handbook: a legal memorandum presenting state-of-the-art arguments for climate justice
The WYCJ Africa Front will be conducting a stakeholder engagement on the Youth Climate Justice Handbook, a legal memorandum presenting state-of-the-art arguments for climate justice. After the adoption of the UNGA resolution to “request for an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the obligations of States in respect of climate change,” the ICJ has authorized all Member States and the African Union (AU) to make submissions before the court, as part of the process of an Advisory Opinion (AO).
In order to participate in this process effectively, WYCJ Africa Front invites all interested stakeholders in the African continent, including CSO partners, individuals and government officials, to this important webinar. We will deliberate on the importance of this process on the ICJAO in respect of climate change.
Registration here.
12th October 2023, 11:00 - 12:30 Central African Time via Zoom.
Webinar: The International Court of Justice, climate change and the Rights of Future Generations
This panel on The ICJ, climate change and the Rights of Future Generations, is part of the three-day final event of the Normandy Chair for Peace, September 1-3, 2023.
Interpretation available in English, Spanish and French.
Training of Trainers workshop - Asia
Capacity-Building Workshop “Training of Trainers”— is for the upcoming Advisory Opinion on climate change before the International Court of Justice. How can the Youth actively participate in the proceedings before the ICJ? Get a chance to learn from best trainers from around the globe and be a part of a just cause.
Organized by WYCJ and GC University Lahore.
Nuclear weapons, climate change and human rights
The event ‘Nuclear weapons, climate change and human rights: Applying human rights law to address existential threats to humanity’ will address human rights law relating to nuclear weapons and climate change, outline challenges made in the Universal Periodic Review (44th Session of the UPR Working Group) regarding the nuclear weapons policies of Russia and the nuclear weapons and climate policies of Canada and Germany, and discuss the current submissions phase of the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on Climate Change.
Registration available here.
Protecting the Rights of Future Generations From the ICJ Climate Case to the UN Summit of the Future
This event includes two sessions. Session one includes a briefing and discussion on the body of international law protecting the rights of future generations, examples of the application of this law in international tribunals in particular the ICJ, and the relevance of this law to the ICJ case on Climate Change, with the aim of ensuring that rights of future generations are included in such submissions.
Session two includes an update on the preparatory process for the UN Summit of the Future, and a discussion on principles and mechanisms for protecting the rights of future generations that are being proposed – including in the draft Pact for the Future and the mandate for a UN Special Envoy of Future Generations. The session will also include discussion of the relationship between the law being advanced in the ICJ Advisory Opinion on climate change.
This event is hosted by the Permanent Mission of Vanuatu to the UN, the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the UN and the Normandy Chair for Peace, and co-sponsored by WYCJ.
Registration for in-person attendance here.
Registration for on-line attendance (access to simultaneous translation) here.
Towards a progressive ICJ Advisory Opinion on climate change: A multi-stakeholder discussion on the Youth Climate Justice Handbook
Taking place in The Hague, the city where the ICJ has its seat, the multi-stakeholder discussion on the Youth Climate Justice Handbook will bring together diplomatic representatives and their legal advisors, civil society representatives, and youth campaigners. The dialogue is co-convened by PISFCC and WYCJ, and will present key uses and substantive arguments from the Handbook.
WYCJ Member Forum: April
WYCJ’s Member Forum is a regular movement meet up, bringing together stubborn optimists from all around the world as the movement moves onwards and upwards after the UNGA vote.
Sign up here.
Due to different time zones, two events will take place:
Saturday 29 April 03:00 EDT/09:00 CEST/18:00 Honiara
Saturday 29 April 15:00 EDT/21:00 CEST/(30 April) 06:00 Honiara
In case of any queries, contact Himmat Bakshi, Member Engagement Coordinator at himmat@wy4cj.org.
The Reach and Limits of International Courts and Tribunals in Resolving the Climate Crisis
WYCJ will provide the opening speech in the session The Reach and Limits of International Courts and Tribunals in Resolving the Climate Crisis, at he 2023 Annual Meeting of the American Society of International Law (ASIL).
This panel will explore these questions through the lens of two recent initiatives, both spearheaded by Small Island Developing States, to seek an advisory opinion on climate change from the ICJ and, separately, an advisory opinion from ITLOS. In addition, the panel will consider the potential for using the adversarial and incidental jurisdictions of ICJ, ITLOS as well as other courts and tribunals, both for clarifying international norms on climate change and enforcing them. A central theme of this panel will be the extent to which international courts and tribunals can play a role in enhancing and promoting climate justice.
More information available here.
WYCJ Europe: Second capacity-building weekend
In order to launch a strong next phase of the campaign in Europe, WYCJ is organizing the second European front capacity-building trainings weekend. The weekend will consist of workshops, masterclasses and training exercises that will provide you with all of the necessary skills to campaign and lobby. The weekend will also function as the launch of our new strategy for influencing the proceedings that will take place at the court. The weekend will teach members new skills including campaigning, legal arguments and diplomatic tactics.
This camp is organized and hosted by the European Front of WYCJ. The camp will be organized entirely in-person in Berlin and will not facilitate hybrid and or online participation.
Registration form available here.
WYCJ Member Forum: March
WYCJ’s member forum is a regular movement meet up, bringing together stubborn optimists from all around the world as the movement gears up towards the UNGA vote in a few weeks.
Sign up here.
Due to different time zones, two events will take place:
Saturday 25 March 03:00 EST/09:00 CET/19:00 Honiara
Saturday 25 March 15:00 EST/21:00 CET/ (26 Feb) 07:00 Honiara
In case of any queries, contact Himmat Bakshi, Member Engagement Coordinator at himmat@wy4cj.org.
Africa front: Weekly coordination meeting
The Africa front weekly coordination meetings bring together all WYCJ members across the African continent to strategize about ways in which they can conduct ICJAO campaign activities, including monitoring the progress thereof as well as raising momentum towards a successful process of achieving climate justice through ICJAO.
Translation available: English and French
Time: 12:00 to 13:30 Central Africa Time (CAT)
Agenda and notes: available here
Registration: available here
Zoom link: available here
12-Hour Inter-regional Dialogue: An inter-regional perspective on the impacts of an Advisory Opinion on Climate Change–a look into the different human rights’ regional system
This global 12-hr Conference in anticipation of the United Nations General Assembly vote on the Advisory Opinion on Climate Change and Human Rights will take place online via zoom.
The conference is organized by WYCJ, in collaboration with Normandy Chair for Peace and the Asian Research Institute of Environmental Law.
WYCJ Member Forum: February
WYCJ’s member forum is a regular movement meet up, bringing together stubborn optimists from all around the world as the movement gears up towards the UNGA vote in a few weeks.
Sign up here.
Due to different time zones, two events will take place:
Saturday 25 February: 03:00 EST / 09:00 CET / 19:00 Honiara
Saturday 25 February: 16:00 EST / 22:00 CET / 08:00 Honiara (26 February)
Climate Justice and the Role of International Law
This public event, hosted by ODI’s Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative (RESI), will bring legal, human rights, climate change and international development specialists together to discuss this and other multilateral initiatives, as well as lessons from national climate litigation.
Nicole Ponce, Front convener for Asia will participate as a panelist in the session ‘Calling on international courts: a multilateral approach to climate justice’
More information here.
Share this event on LinkedIn here.