The United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC) promotes global awareness and United Nations paintings through its networked paintings of United Nations Information Centres (UNICs) around the world. The United Nations Information Centre in Rio de Janeiro is gaining a local audience in Brazil.
Brazilian activist Paloma Costa is creating a new generation of young people committed to climate activism. At the age of 27, she led the Brazilian delegation to the Youth Climate Summit in 2019 and coordinated the Climate Working Group in Engajamundo, which invited young people. participate in “Fridays for Future” and climate strikes. The organization was born in the wake of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, also known as Rio 20. At the event, which took place nearly 10 years ago, many other young people felt that their perspectives had not been sufficiently represented through global leaders and UN agencies.
For Paloma, today’s young people are on the front lines of responding to the climate crisis. According to her, decision-makers, as well as all the actors and sectors that make up the socio-environmental dynamics, will have to learn, unite and contribute to creating and replacing in line with the artistic concepts proposed by other young people. “We are the catalysts for action, this is the preference of our generation,” he said.
The weather crisis is a precedent in the post-Covid-19 world, according to UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “Revitalizing economies is our chance to rethink our future,” he said. That’s why she created a counseling organization for young people on climate change, in which Paloma participates.
“As with the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all vulnerable to the effects of the climate crisis,” Paloma warned. “We will have to understand that we are the cure for the Earth and therefore we will have to work together to deal with the demanding cumulative situations facing the planet,” the activist said, in line with the United Nations’ confidence that only countries can overcome them together.
“Young people are pressuring their elders to do the right thing. This is a moment indeed for other people and for the planet. COVID-19 and climate have pushed us to a threshold,” said Secretary-General António Guterres. advocating for a “cleaner, greener and more sustainable” path.
Paloma welcomed the UN chief’s initiative. I think the fact that the UN Secretary-General has combined his own organization of youth advisers speaks volumes and I appreciate the help of the UN staff and agencies that help us in all the activities that we need to implement,” he said. .
However, he still believes that much more can be done. For the activist, the long term she needs to build will be more democratic, with more participation of young people and more data and education on weather issues. After all, to participate effectively, it is mandatory to have access to data, studies and quality education capable of generating a broader understanding of these important issues,” he explained, recalling that his generation will suffer the effects of climate change and its effects on the labor market.
Paloma said that she herself had not gained an education focused on climate change and that her understanding and consequent engagement with the issue came later, when she read in college. While doing an internship at the Socio-Environmental Institute, where I still work, “I started to learn more about the climate emergency and the role of indigenous and classical communities in Brazil,” says Paloma. She is now a licensed attorney.
“We want to create formal spaces within state structures that include the voices of young people in a planned and binding way, not just as an advisor or an advisory council,” he said. “For now, we can present and give our opinion,” and the secretary-general should pay attention and care about what we do. But I think if we don’t have a formal seat at the table, it will be just us and the Secretary-General. And we want everyone to do it and create change,” he concluded.
“You see, we’re not making these pictures to make ourselves feel better. That kind of traditional perception of what a benefactor is. We are making these paintings because we are completely convinced that it is not necessary, in today’s world, for so many other people. to enjoy the discomfort, for so many other people to enjoy the hardships, for so many other people to see their lives and livelihoods at risk. “
Dr. David Nabarro has committed his life to global health. After a long career that has taken him from the horrors of the Iraq war to the devastating aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami, he is still motivated to act on the world’s enormous inequalities. health care.
“What helps me stay awake at night are the inequalities endemic in our world. . . We see a lot of unnecessary suffering. “
The Manguinhos Ballet, named after its favela in Rio de Janeiro, is back on level after a long absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has 250 young people and adolescents from the favela as interpreters. The ballet organization provides social assistance in a network where poverty, hunger and teenage pregnancy are constant problems.
The pandemic has put many other people to the test, and journalists are no exception. Not only has the coronavirus waged a war against the lives and well-being of other people, but it has also spawned countless clinical deceptions and lies.