ActNowFilm3 is an international youth voices in climate change project, run by the University of Bath Institute for Policy Research (IPR) and Cambridge Zero and is supported by the UK Universities Climate Network (UUCN). Now in its third instalment the collaborative project will invite young people from across the planet to apply to feature in ActNowFilm3, which we hope to showcase at COP28. The film will feature young people having 1-2-1 conversations with world leading international climate experts, from indigenous communities, business, the third sector and academia. Youth participants will be matched with experts for 1-2-1 conversations, providing opportunities for mutual learning and the sharing of both personal and professional experiences.
Through these two way conversations young people will question, discuss and explore their views and experiences with climate experts on areas such as:
- their personal and professional experiences of the climate crises;
- what they think is working successfully;
- what they think needs to change and who they think should make and lead these changes;
- what advice they would give to young people;
- what climate and future ready skills they recommend and advise young people to gain;
- what they wished they had done differently in their lifetime in regards to the climate crises;
- and, their hopes for young people and the planet for the future.
It is hoped that ActNowFilm3 will demonstrate, via these conversations led by young people with internationally acclaimed climate experts, the value, place and importance of youth voices in the urgent climate debates. By showcasing the abilities and articulation of young people, from across the planet, to have pertinent and timely conversations with climate experts on a wide range of topics, fields and issues, we hope to show the COP28 climate negotiators that young people are capable, ready and committed to contribute to the urgent climate crises conversations.
This film follows on from the successes of ActNowFilm and ActNowFilm2 which showcased in the Green Zone at COP26 and the Blue Zone at COP27 respectively. Both these films brought together youth voices from around the world and gave young people living across the planet the opportunity to tell COP decision-makers, in their own words, and through intergenerational conversations, why addressing the climate crises is important to future generations.
This year, our hope is to produce ActNowFilm3 and to showcase this at COP28 and for this film to act as a clarion call for the inclusion of young people in the climate debates and to expedite for greater further action to protect humanity from the effects of the climate crises.
From 30 November to 12 December, COP28 will bring together international government negotiators, decision-makers, and policymakers in the United Arab Emirates to discuss how they should accelerate action towards stopping climate change. From small island states to countries with rapidly growing urban areas, representatives from 197 countries are expected to join.