This final session of the Stockholm+50 #GGKPwebinar series provides space for reflection on what was achieved at Stockholm+50, what was missed, and what we are taking forward to the High-level Political Forum for Sustainable Development 2022 (HLPF 2022) and the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 77).
In response to the last question of what immediate actions do governments need to take to ensure that Indigenous youth have opportunities for meaningful engagement, Emmanuela delivered her opinion in a long answer.
“Some people may say to the older generation, “Hey, you destroy this planet. You steal our future from us! “But I and other indigenous youth always say to our elders, “ Thank you. Thank you for teaching us the wisdoms and knowledge about living in harmony with nature. Thank you for protecting this remain forest. Thank you for fighting hard to defend this land. And today, we will continue your fight.”
When there are still people out there who underestimate youth activism, I want you to know that we, the Indigenous youth of Kalimantan, we are doing this not because we’re inspired or encouraged or called. We are suffering, both from the effect of climate change and the environmental destruction caused by many very not sustainable developments done by government and extractive companies. And if we are not fighting, we’ll lose everything. Our actions are not based on our knowledge, but based on our lives. We don’t need opportunity, we need your solid trust. We need you to trust that our generation is not simply blaming you for everything but we are here today to take our responsibility as the generation restoration, and we will be able to do much if we have you stand by our side, guide us and support us.
Involve us in the process of decision making, give us the fund so we can continue our projects, build our capacities and skills, share us platform where we can participate and keep speaking our voices.
That’s what we want, and that’s how we should work together. “
You can watch the whole session below.