February 1, 2022
11h
Youth Action on Climate Change:
RACE WE CAN
STILL WIN
Registration is now closed
YOUTH & CLIMATE ACTION
Role of Young People in the Fight Against Climate Change
Young people, wherever they live, face one common problem: Climate Change. Climate change is likely to colour every part of their lives — from the jobs, they hold to where they spend their holidays.
As extreme weather events become more common, young people are looking at new and meaningful ways to influence climate policy and inspire change. The new generation of climate activists is now engaging directly with policy and power structures.
The Green Days 2022 we will give young people across Montenegro a voice and a space to propose ideas and concrete actions to address climate change. It will provide the youth with an opportunity to collaborate, ask questions and exchange opinions with decision-makers – through interactive panels and Q&A sessions.
At #GreenDays2022 youth representatives in Montenegro will discuss topics important for our future with leading climate experts, government officials, national policymakers from various sectors, as well as representatives of international organizations, academia, and civil society.
WHERE MONTENEGRO STANDS POST COP?
As the dust settles on COP26 it is clear that the climate crisis is not going to be prevented by inter-governmental negotiation.
Where is Montenegro after COP26? What concrete activities will lead us on a safe path towards the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans?
Responsible national policies, along with ambitious Action plans, are key to combating climate change. Montenegro's decision to cut GHG emissions by 35% by 2030 is a decisive step in that direction, although an even more ambitious goal is both – desirable & possible.
PANEL1:
OPINION OF THE MONTENEGRIN YOUTH ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Opinion of the Montenegrin Youth on Climate Change
Worried. Anxious. Ready to act. That’s how most young people, aged 18-29, said climate change made them feel in a recent UNDP Survey. It revealed a growing “climate anxiety” among the respondents.
Youth play a crucial role in shaping a sustainable future, and it is critical to empower their voices on the climate crisis and their participation in addressing climate change. Youth across Montenegro have unique experiences of how climate change is impacting them and their communities. They are eager to share their personal stories about why they care about climate change and the actions they are taking to address the climate crisis.
Youth is Everywhere
Young people are the least to blame for climate change – and the most vulnerable to its effects. At UNDP, we are dedicated to helping young people take action to protect their future and the future of our planet. We help raise youth voices on the climate crisis and increase their participation to address climate change.
It’s time to give youth a real say
We have met some of Montenegro’s dedicated young climate activists to hear about their goals and worries.
PANEL2:
THE WAY FORWARD – ASK DECISION MAKERS (Q&A)
What Youth can do to Fight Climate Change
#GreenDays2022 provides just that opportunity for young people – to have their voices heard about the climate crisis and to take seriously their involvement in tackling climate change.
What do young people think about the climate crisis? Are we all prepared for bold climate action? Are we ready to change our usual behaviour patterns to join forces in the fight against climate change?
These are only some of the questions to ask at the already traditional #GreenDays2022 Conference – organized in partnership with the Government of Montenegro, the Chamber of Commerce & the UNDP.
Ask decisionmakers
Seniors who hold the reins of political, economic, and intellectual power today – must listen to these voices of change.
Listening to the young is the key component of the dialogue and we are building a conversation between young people, government officials, representatives of international organisations, academia and civil society.
The majority of young people today think they are not given enough opportunities to put their ideas into action, although they have a strong awareness of the importance of climate change and a great desire to contribute to its resolution.
We have recognized Youth as a key driver of positive change, and we strive to empower them and involve them in all future activities and discussions on climate change.
Climate change in pictures
The climate shocks underlying drought, flood, heat stress, fires, sea-level rise, storm damage, pests and other impacts are expected to become more frequent and intense unless adaptation and mitigation are incorporated meaningfully and quickly into development policies and investments.
Our world is at a crossroads – it is getting warmer and is not ready for the increasingly frequent climate changes that cause extreme events such as tropical heat waves, forest fires, storms, floods, and soil erosion. Montenegro is no exception. Changes are happening here as well. We are clearing our forests (deforestation), overfishing, emitting carbon through excessive construction activities, polluting our rivers – leaving younger generations with huge environmental bills and economic costs.
Dear World Leaders
Watch messages from people all over the world on how climate change is affecting them.
Speakers:
Share your thoughts
We would love You to share your thoughts about #climatechange. Don’t hesitate to send us a message or post a comment on one of the social media platforms. We’ll be glad if you dropped us a message or posted it on our wall.
Follow Us on Social Media – keep up to date with all the Conference news.
With thanks to our principal partners
GREEN DAYS 2022.
AGENDA
| INTRODUCING THE TOPIC: WHERE MONTENEGRO STANDS POST COP 26 | |
11:00 – 11:30
| Ms Daniela Čabarkapa, Head of the Department for Climate Change, Ministry of Ecology, Spatial Planning and Urbanism Montenegro after COP 26 – main messages after the COP 26 |
Mr. Luka Mitrović, University Professor Climate Projections for Montenegro | |
Ms Irena Tadić, GHG Inventory expert, Environment Protection Agency Major GHG emitters in Montenegro | |
| PANEL: OPINION OF THE MONTENEGRIN YOUTH ON CLIMATE CHANGE Moderator: Dimitrije Jovićević, representative of the Youth | |
| 11:30 – 12:00 | Ms Dragana Radević, Institute for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development What the Youth of Montenegro Think about Climate Change – results of the conducted analysis |
Mr Dimitrije Jovićević – UNDP consultant and young professional Major findings of the Focus Groups conducted among the Montenegrin Youth | |
| 12:00 – 12:30 | Panel discussion: The Youth about climate change in Montenegro
Ms Diandra Kočan, High school Student and Youth Activist Mr Filip Bulatović, Economist, Young Professional Ms Milena Brunner, PhD Immunology, Young Professional working in a fast-growing biotech start-up Mr Miloš Džiknić, Biologist and Ecologist
|
| PANEL 2: THE WAY FORWARD – ASK DECISION MAKERS (Q&A) Moderator: Ms Daniela Gasparikova, Resident Representative, UNDP Montenegro | |
| 12:30 – 13:25 | Mr Dritan Abazović, Vice Prime Minister
Ms Ana Samardžić, Advisor to the Prime Minister
Ms Milena Božović Lipovina, State Secretary, Ministry of Economic Development
Aneta Kankaraš, Head of the Department for Sustainable Development
Ms Nina Drakić – President, Chamber of Economy |
| 13:25 – 13.30 | Conference Closing |
OPINION OF THE MONTENEGRIN YOUTH ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Worried. Anxious. Ready to act. That’s how most young people, aged 18-29, said climate change made them feel in a recent UNDP Survey. It revealed a growing “climate anxiety” among the respondents.
Youth play a crucial role in shaping a sustainable future, and it is critical to empower their voices on the climate crisis and their participation in addressing climate change. Youth across Montenegro have unique experiences of how climate change is impacting them and their communities. They are eager to share their personal stories about why they care about climate change and the actions they are taking to address the climate crisis.
A recent UNDP Survey illustrates that young people in Montenegro have strong ambitions to do their part in adapting to climate change and mitigating its impact. Such ambitions must be met by opportunities and the young should be allowed to play an active role in the formulations and implementation of climate solutions. Nearly 74% think that climate change is a huge problem at the global level, while slightly over half of the respondents (57.0%) think that climate change is a big problem at the national level.
The survey shows a very high awareness rate among the young population about climate change and its consequences (more than 60%). They are most familiar with the consequences of climate change caused by global warming (92.1%), the negative impact on plants and animals (89.2%) and forest fires (90.5%).
One-third of young people feel grief and shame considering themselves responsible, and therefore state that they do respect and protect the environment. Over half of them, identify industry and factories, transport and uncontrolled waste generation and disposal as the main causes of climate change.
What was very encouraging is that three out of four respondents indicated that they are willing to change their living habits to protect the environment or reduce human impact on climate change. To protect the environment, more than 50% of young people say – they walk every day, try to reduce waste, and also use water and electricity rationally.
Every second respondent stated that whenever possible she/he buys products that are environmentally friendly or made from recycled materials.
This is the great potential for Montenegro and the power which decision-makers have to consider when planning the future development of Montenegro. The world doesn’t need more from those who are already doing all they can. It needs more people like you – start a conversation with your school friends, workmates or your grumpy uncle and tell them why we need to act now.
Biographies:
Milena Brunner
Milena finished her Bachelors and Masters studies in Paris, at the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Paris, specializing in Molecular biology and human genetics. She holds a PhD in Immunology from University College London, which she completed at the Francis Crick Institute in 2019. After defending her thesis, Milena joined Synthace, a fast-growing biotech start-up based in London.
Filip Bulatović
Filip completed his Bachelor studies in Economics in Belgrade, while he completed his Master's program in International Management in Prague. Started his professional career 10 years ago, in positions that are mostly related to finance, while in the last few years he has been providing expertise in project management with a focus on environmental protection and sustainable development. Until recently, he was employed as a consultant to UNDP Montenegro and now works as a Junior Financing Framework Review Expert for the European Delegation to Montenegro.
Diandra Kočan
Diandra is a third-grade student at Ulcinj's “Bratstvo i jedinstvo” Secondary School. Diandra has participated in a variety of non-formal education programs in addition to her school activities. She is a youth activist and the founder of Ulcinj's first Youth Club. Her team won the first prize in the national competition “Young Ecoreporters” for the finest pollution coverage on the local channel Port Milena, with the video “The Forgotten Duchess of the Adriatic.” The same video earned the award in the category of Biodiversity at the Global Youth Video Competition 2021 in Glasgow, where she was invited to discuss this vital topic on the eve of COP 26 with Pippa Ehrlich, Oscar winner for directing the documentary “My Octopus Teacher.”
Miloš Džiknić
Miloš earned his Bachelors degree in Biology-Ecology from the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics / the University of Montenegro. He currently works as an Associate in the two-year scientific research project “Research on the endangered species of European eel (Anguilla L.) in the Skadar Lake.” He took part in the Regional Environmental Youth Charter for the Western Balkans 2021 as a youth representative of Montenegro, as well as in the World Youth Congress for Climate Change – Youth4Climate Milano 2021, which was organized in anticipation of the COP 26. Miloš has been a member of the Environmental Youth Association “Green Center” since 2013 and is the President of the Gymnastics Club “MNE Street Workout.”
Dimitrije Jovićević
Dimitrije holds a degree in Philosophy, International Studies, and Economics from Ca’ Foscari University in Venice. He served as a Governing Board member of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office and the Executive Director of the Organization of Montenegrins Studying Abroad. Dimitrije also gained professional experience at the Secretariat of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, where he worked on the Enlargement Agenda, EU external funding instruments, and the European multilateralism. He is presently working as a policy and program development consultant for various international organizations and Brussels-based networks.
Dragana Radević
Serves as Executive Director of the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, a Montenegrin licensed scientific-research institution. She is a Professor Associate at the University of Donja Gorica, teaching the course Entrepreneurship and Innovation. She graduated from the School of Economics and defended her Master's degree (2004) and PhD thesis (2007) at the Postgraduate Studies “Entrepreneurial Economy” of the University of Montenegro. Ms Radevic has extensive practical exposure in data collection through both qualitative and quantitative research, and analysis, development, and monitoring of policies in the area of socio-economic development, economic policies, regional development, and strategic planning. Ms Radevic is a member of the working groups for chapters 18 “Statistics” and 20 “Entrepreneurship and Industrial Policy” within the EU accession process. She is a member of the Association of Managers and Economists of Montenegro and a member of the Committee for Women's Entrepreneurship under the umbrella of the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro.
Irena Tadić
Mrs Tadić is involved in annual updates of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and the Inventory of Air Pollutants at the Environmental Protection Agency. Her special areas of expertise include energy and industrial processes, the understanding of which is significantly supported by her previous ten-year professional experience gained at the Aluminium Plant in Podgorica.
Luka Mitrović
Long-time professor of geography at the University of Montenegro, Faculty of Philosophy – Department of History and Geography, now a teaching associate at the Mediterranean University. He was the director of the Institute of Hydrometeorology and Seismology from 2004 to 2021, as well as the representative of Montenegro in the World Meteorological Organization. He is also a passionate mountaineer, who has spent a large part of his life and work with his students in the Montenegrin mountains.
Danijela Čabarkapa
Danijela is an environmental specialist and the Head of the Climate Change Department within the Directorate for EU Integration, International Cooperation, and Climate Change. She is also the focal point for Montenegro's cooperation with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and her duties are focused on implementing policies and measures related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, including also coordination and participation in the preparation of biennial update reports and national communications within the effort to fulfil international obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention – UNFCCC.
Mr Dritan Abazović, Deputy Prime Minister
Dr Dritan Abazović is the Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro. He is the author of the book “Cosmopolitan Culture and Global Justice”, as well as a large number of scientific papers published in regional and international journals. The topics he studies are related to political philosophy, globalization and ethics.
Aneta Kankaraš
Graduate biologist, Head of the Department for Sustainable Development. Ms kankaraš has been professionally active in the field of sustainable development for more than 10 years, working for the the Secretariat of the National Council for Sustainable Development. She is working on the implementation, monitoring and reporting of the policy of sustainable development of Montenegro. She is also a Focal point of Montenegro for the Green Climate Fund and UNECE for monitoring the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.