Our Principles and Commitments

The foundation of the work of World’s Youth for Climate Justice (hereafter “WYCJ”) aims to encourage, uplift, motivate, highlight, complement, and inspire action and commitment to climate justice and intergenerational equity. We are stubborn optimists: we do not accept the fate of an unjust, unequal, and unsustainable future. Our movement addresses the challenge head-on without being blind to reality. We commit to climate justice and intergenerational equity in an inclusive and intersectional manner. Simultaneously, we embrace and support other initiatives organizing for global climate justice and intergenerational equity, where we are able.

Our work centers on legal processes and political advocacy related to climate justice. As such, in the ICJAO campaign, we aim to use the advisory opinion as a catalyst for collective action, collaboration, and community building. We strive for the same in similar relevant legal processes, such as, but not limited to, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) advisory opinion on Climate Change, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR) advisory opinion on the Climate Emergency and Human Rights, and the advisory proceedings at the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR). As such, our ICJ and UN advocacy exemplify our main workstreams, grounded in our belief in a recognized nexus between human rights and climate change. We strive to strengthen this link at all levels, local, national, regional, and international.

Our Principles 

  1. Climate Justice

    1. We stand for upholding the rule of international law, basic and fundamental human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

    2. We believe in international collaboration and cooperation, and multilateralism.

    3. WYCJ advocates for climate justice and intergenerational equity.

      1. WYCJ advocates for the protection of youth and future generations in the context of the climate crisis. 

      2. WYCJ holds a focus on human rights in its response to and efforts to address the climate crisis.

      3. We advocate for intersectional feminism and intersectional environmentalism.

      4. We believe in common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, as well as the historical responsibility of States in tackling the climate crisis. 

      5. Adapting to the climate crisis equitably is as essential as mitigating it. 

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

      1. WYCJ aims to work against historic systemic injustices that have contributed to and still contribute to the climate crisis. 

        1. WYCJ is a decolonial, anti-imperialist, and anti-oppressive space. We seek to challenge the unjust exercise of power and authority.

        2. Decoloniality includes challenging extractive models of economic development. This includes domination, petro-masculinity, and other forms of patriarchal power. 

        3. WYCJ strives to be an anti-racist space every day.

        4. WYCJ is an anti-fascist space. 

        5. WYCJ is a space where voices from the Global South are recognized as equal and treated as such. 

        6. WYCJ is an intersectional, feminist, and queer-inclusive space. 

      2. WYCJ strives to be an intersectional space 

        1. We understand that discrimination based on, but not limited to, sexual identity, sexual expression, gender identity, gender expression, race, ethnicity, disability, socio-economic background, history of (forced) migration, class (past and present), and religion exists and can not only intersect but also mutually reinforce each other. We seek to address all forms of inequalities simultaneously to prevent the creation or perpetuation of these particular dynamics.

        2. We welcome people of all identities, including Indigenous Peoples and those from local and/or rural communities, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, class, educational background, language, country of origin, etc.

        3. We seek to address inequalities and forms of injustice. We aim to promote and demand meaningful visibility, participation, and ownership of those marginalized by systems of oppression.

        4. We recognize that all beings are interdependent and every form of life has value regardless of its worth to human beings.

    5. We believe in front-line leadership. We strive to put the most impacted youth from frontline communities, indigenous peoples, and grassroots collectives in leadership. 

  2. Youth 

    1. WYCJ is a youth-led movement. 

      1. We recognize that our strength lies in having an honest and vital commitment to intergenerational equity and climate justice. 

      2. Our strength and role come from representing, being, and empowering youth.

      3. We seek advice from our peers and experienced persons in recognition of the value of input from all generations and backgrounds. We acknowledge the efforts and celebrate the leadership of those who came before us – we stand on the shoulders of changemakers from the past and present. However, youth are leaders in WYCJ and maintain their independence.

    2. Solidarity is a core element of WYCJ.

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

      2. We honor and support the young people of our communities, enabling them to fulfill our essential role in creating sustainable societies.

      3. We see our work as a piece of the puzzle. We believe in working together with other groups to amplify our efforts. Therefore, we support other aligned movements within our capacity. We aim to share resources and experience within the space.  

  3. Stubborn Optimism 

    1. WYCJ is an empowering space that makes members feel optimistic, hopeful, and encouraged. 

      1. We enable, we do not command. 

      2. We welcome new members, prioritizing their well-being and ensuring everyone has a supportive and inclusive space within our community.

      3. We support young leaders from around the world, making sure everyone has a chance to lead and be heard.

      4. We have procedures in place to enable new members to partake. 

      5. We seek to facilitate meaningful youth engagement in climate change decision-making.

Our Commitments (i.e., operating principles)

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

    1. We believe in front-line leadership. We strive to put the most impacted youth from frontline communities and grassroots collectives in leadership.

    2. We actively work to create a safe and inclusive environment for all, not just by saying so but by taking concrete measures to facilitate this.

  2. WYCJ is a democratically organized space where each regional campaign front has equal voting power and co-design strategy and action plans.

  3. The WYCJ campaign is an inclusive process. 

    1. We use messaging that is accessible and clear.  

    2. We promote knowledge sharing.

      1. We commit to promoting a culture of learning and knowledge sharing.

      2. We empower our staff, members, volunteers, and stakeholders to contribute to and learn from one another.

  4. WYCJ emphasizes building trust.

    1. We dedicate ourselves to building and maintaining trust through transparent communication and accountability, treating each other with respect and empathy, and actively listening in all our interactions.

  5. WYCJ is an independent movement & organization. 

    1. We maintain independence from other organizations or influences and impartiality in our actions and decision-making, free from undue influence or bias, to uphold the integrity and credibility of our organization.

    2. We are not influenced by our contact with States and their representatives,  and neither are we influenced by our sponsors or funding sources.

Living up to these principles and commitments 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.

Learn more about our vision