The Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN) brings together 705 member organizations from 178 countries and represents more than 1.25 million young people. It gives a voice to the world’s youth in policy negotiations under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and connects individuals and youth organizations to create a global coalition to halt biodiversity loss. The GYBN contacted us because its members are facing increasing levels of violence in their work and are seeking to link biodiversity protection to initiatives for dialogue and social cohesion.
The results:
In the run-up to the United Nations Biodiversity Conference in Montreal (COP15), we helped the GYBN launch a global consultation of young people on the environment, conflict, and peace. The results showed how much young people working on biodiversity are affected by the dynamics of conflict and peace, and pointed to ways in which GYBN could strengthen its support to members in addressing these issues. Building on this consultation, GYBN presented examples of experiences of young environmental activists working in conflict contexts at COP15, where these issues were largely absent. In the future, we will support GYBN in providing enhanced support to its members directly confronted with conflict and peace issues and in bringing these issues to the global political agenda.