Youth In Climate Action
Youth In Climate Action
Date
Thursday 28 October 2021 to Friday 29 October 2021

The British Council will host a two-day ‘Youth in Climate Action Virtual Conference’ on 28 and 29 October as a run-up to COP26 hosted in the UK in November.

Under the larger theme of The Climate Connection, the Youth in Climate Action Conference aims to bring young people and relevant stakeholders to hold discussions around the following thematic areas related to climate change. 

  • Policy engagement and public awareness on climate action 
  • Showcase youth engagement and advocacy 
  • Provide a platform and agency for youth and stakeholders to build a conversation and commitment to address climate issues  

The event will contribute to set up dialogue and conversations that will lead to recommendations and ideas for the future, celebrate the success of youth leaders working on reducing climate change impact, and discuss research evidence on how young people can effectively contribute to climate action priorities set out by Government of Sri Lanka, UK and COP26. 

The event will also showcase youth leaders already engaged in climate action thereby encouraging more young people to participate in climate action.

When: 28 and 29 October 2021
Time: 09.30 a.m. - 12.00 noon 
Online Platform: Zoom

Remember to register before 27 October 2021 at 04.00 p.m.

Day 01: Inaugural session - High level report findings 

 

Time 

Session

Resource 

09.30 – 09.35 
Introduction to  
COP26 and The Climate Connection campaign 
Maarya Rehman – Country Director, 
British Council, Sri Lanka 
09.35 – 09.45 
UK’s commitment to  
address climate change 
Lisa Whanstall, Chargé d'affaires, British High Commission, Sri Lanka 
09.45 – 10.30 
Presentation of the key  
findings of the ‘Youth  
perception study’ 
Q & A 
British Council Research, Evaluation, and Monitoring Unit, South Asia 
Assisted by: 
Research Partner - SLYCAN Trust
10.30 – 10.40 
Keynote address 
Hon. C.B. Rathnayake, 
Minister of Wildlife and Forest Conservation 
10.40 – 10. 45 
BREAK 
 
10.50 – 11.00 
Importance of COP 26 and multi-stakeholder approach for youth action in climate 
Noella Richard,  
Global Youth Programme Manager, UNDP  
11.00 – 12.00 
Panel discussion - Youth inclusion in climate agenda in Sri Lanka 
 
Panel  
 
Mr. Wasantha Dissanayake Additional Secretary (Policy), Ministry of Environment  
 
Mr. Saman Waduge Additional Secretary (Youth), Ministry of Youth and Sports 
  
Prof Erandathie Lokupitiya, Department of Zoology and Environment Sciences, 
University of Colombo 
  
Mr. Mohamed Husni, Convener, Sustainability2040.org and British Council International Climate Champion 
  
Mr. Kulunu Thamara Jayamanne, 
Coordination and Partnerships Associate – UNDP Sri Lanka 
 
 
12.00 – 12.05 
Closing Remarks 
Sanjeevani Munasinghe 
Head Society, British Council Sri Lanka 
 

Day 02: Youth led, Call to Action and Advocacy 

 

Time 

Session 

Resource 

09.30 – 09.45 
Opening remarks: 
Recap from Day 1 
Maarya Rehman – Country Director, 
British Council, Sri Lanka 
09.45 – 10.00 
Inspirational keynote session 
Anoka Abeyrathne,   
Climate Lead for Royal Commonwealth Society 
10.00 – 10.25 
Spotlight – Active Citizens Showcase  
 
10.25 – 10.30 
BREAK  
 
10.30 – 11.30 
4 big ideas to combat climate Change 
(Panel discussion) 
Nivetha Sivarajah  
Mohamed Nasreen  
Janith Ittapana  
Nuzrath Farook  
11.30 – 11.55 
Spotlight – Active Citizens Showcase  
 
11.55 – 12.10 
Final keynote address 
from the State Minister of Regional Corporation on behalf of the Minister of Youth and Sports 
Hon. Tharaka Balasuriya 
Minister of Regional Cooperation  
12.10 – 12.15 
Close of launch program  
Sanjeevani Munasinghe 
Head Society 
British Council Sri Lanka 
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