China and US Youth to Co-Host Workshop: "Our Shared Future" on Thursday, Dec. 10th
Young People From Two Biggest Emitters Will Build Trust and Explore Their Ambitions
This Thursday, December 10th, from 7-10pm at the University of Copenhagen, U.S. and Chinese youth will come together for an unprecedented meeting to discuss their individual journeys to the Copenhagen climate talks, create new relationships that transcend language and cultural differences, and pioneer a new generation of US-Chinese diplomacy built on shared trust and ambition. The unfiltered conversation at the workshop will be an opportunity for frank and honest conversation between youth from the world's two biggest polluters.
Shane Zhao, a director of the Chinese Youth Climate Action Network, says, "I think climate change is ultimately a problem that relates to politics and is therefore a cultural problem. We must start as early as possible to break down the cultural walls." Holly Chang, co-organizer of the China delegation and CEO of Golden Bridges, says, "This is the relationship of our time, the partnership that needs to be cemented in order for our world to thrive. Climate change is a problem that's will be shared between our two countries for decades, and we have an opportunity to break down a lot of the cultural barriers that can hinder progress in negotiations."
Holly Jones, a 21-year old Mt. Pleasant, Iowa native and U.S. youth delegate, adds, "We are the future leaders of our respective countries. We need to be able to trust each other as we embark on this great race to the top of the new clean energy economy. We challenge our elders to follow our lead and build a relationship not built out of hostility or doubt, but rather on cooperation and faith in a prosperous future."
The event will be a great opportunity for journalists to speak directly with the leaders of some of the most influential US and Chinese youth climate organizations, including the China Youth Climate Action Network, which unites hundreds of campuses and thousands of students across China, and SustainUS, which is leading the largest US youth delegation to the Copenhagen climate talks.
China-US Youth Workshop: "Our Shared Future"
Part 1 (7:30-8:45) - "Nihao and Hello: Our Roads to Copenhagen and Personal Stories"
Part 2 (9:00-10:00) - "Our Shared Future and Climate Strategy"
Thursday, December 10th at 7:00pm
University of Copenhagen - YOUNGO Convergence Space
Rued Langgaards Vej 16, 2300 Copenhagen S
For more information:
US: Ben Wessel at ben.wessel@sustainus.org or +45 5011 1248
China: Shane Zhao at xiangyu@cycan.org +45 28 53 93 06
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