CARIBBEAN SPOTLIGHT: Uplifting Youth Voices from Non-Sovereign States and Territories

This is a 65-page booklet (or “zine”) created by ClimaTalk and Observatoire Terre-Monde collecting 23 youth voices from across the Caribbean. Access and download “CARIBBEAN SPOTLIGHT: Uplifting Youth Voices from Non-Sovereign States and Territories” below.

Non-sovereign states and territories are often not heard or represented on an international stage. This is why ClimaTalk and Observatoire Terre-Monde have collected youth voices from across the Caribbean. This book aims to raise awareness about the geopolitics of non-sovereign states and territories at international proceedings like the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP) and their unique climate needs.

WHAT WAS THE CREATION PROCESS?
Community outreach and co-creation was completed through the deployment of a survey for youth to submit responses on a variety of topics available in English, French, and Dutch. Opinions, research, profiles, poems, and photos from 23 youth across various islands were synthesized and compiled into this 65-page digital flipbook (also called a “zine”).

WHY IS THIS NEEDED?
For example, Sint Maarten/Saint-Martin, which is divided between two European powers (French and Dutch), is unlikely to ever have independent representation at COP despite facing severe climate-related challenges (e.g. hurricanes, floods, rising sea levels) that utterly differ from those of its mainland governments. The lack of representation exacerbates the vulnerability of these regions, as their specific needs and circumstances may need to be adequately addressed or advocated for on the global stage. This situation requires a stronger advocacy movement to ensure these territories are included in international climate discussions.

WHAT CAN WE DO?
Many youth-led Caribbean NGOs are working to bring attention to this issue, but organizations worldwide (especially those with larger platforms or more resources from the Global North) should be amplifying these efforts. Several Caribbean organizations are already discussing this issue at local and regional levels but need help amplifying their international concerns. Youth activists, particularly those in mainland countries, have a role to play in extending their advocacy to include the non-sovereign territories associated with their nations (i.e. realize that the scope of their activism and place of privilege should extend to support the non sovereign territories that the federal government is supposed to, but failing to, represent). By doing so, they can help amplify the voices of these territories and push for more equitable representation at international forums like COP.

DOWNLOAD
Access and download the “CARIBBEAN SPOTLIGHT: Uplifting Youth Voices from Non-Sovereign States and Territories” flipbook (“zine”) via the links below.

This was published on 23rd November 2024.