Break with Boer!

The Indian Youth Delegation met with the general secretary of the UNFCCC, Mr Yvo De Boer on the 3^rd day of the COP. This was indeed a rare opportunity for us as we prepared an impromptu questionnaire and walked in to meet him flanked by a couple of other delegates who shot the whole interaction on tape. The discussion began with the Secretary asking us of the latest UNEP survey on India’s youth and its response to climate change. The survey showed contrasting figures and a clear disengagement of the youth in India to take action on climate change. But considering the small sample size of the survey with only 400 people while a bigger, better survey from IYCN is nearing its final stage; a better perspective on the youth of India is yet to be reached.

Following which our delegation launched a barrage of questions ranging from the role of youth in these negotiations to the current deadlock amongst certain groups of nations. Answering with poise, he spoke of continuing the work that the youth currently were doing at the COP and try to make their voices heard in more innovative ways. Answering to Deepa’s question of the recent financial bailout by the US govt. and its lack of action on climate funds, his answer was simple and obvious while stating that money induced would gain more voters and thus a political advantage. Having visited India before and having interacted with the bureaucrats and politicians, he seconds India’s right to develop but propounds the need for a sustainable growth.

Speaking of engaging youth in a bigger way at the conference, he was a little less forthcoming by asking the delegations to meet him with a “spectacular proposal” that if approved would take the youth delegations inside the private sessions of the official delegates. Quite a challenge, one might say! The meeting in the whole was a positive experience and a quiet motivator for all of us to work harder. Hopefully, the days to come will allow more delegations to meet and interact with their governments on a regular basis and create an atmosphere for mutual exchange of opinions.