Young people set the Nordic agenda at COP27

“The statements from young people from the Nordic Region and from all over the world are clear: Young people want to see a systemic change and a law on ecocide. They want to hold the Nordic Region to account for ensuring a better future for our generation,” says Amanda Björksell, who is representing young people from Sweden at the UN climate conference.

In a debate on 8 November, she and other young people from the Nordic Region and South America will challenge the Nordic countries to recognise international environmental crime and promote a so-called ecocide law.

The Nordic Pavilion offers a platform for young people from the Nordic Region and all over the world to come up with new ideas regarding climate challenges both regionally and globally.  

“It’s important for us as Nordic young people to be present at COP27, as this is where world leaders will meet to talk about how to combat climate change,” says Nadia Gullestrup Christensen, Denmark’s youth delegate at the climate conference. 

“Unfortunately, the green transition is going far too slowly, and we young people need to be present and hold world leaders to account in their obligation to act for our and future generations.”

At the Nordic Pavilion, the major Nordic youth organisations and the Nordic countries’ UN youth delegates will challenge decision-makers on some of the most pressing issues – from system change, climate justice and preserving biodiversity to the inclusion of children and young people in decision-making processes and the role and influence of youth climate councils:

 “Children and young people are a particularly vulnerable and important group in relation to climate decisions, but they are underrepresented and often suffer from the tokenisation of their participation, instead of having their opinions taken seriously,” says Matilde Angeltveit from the Norwegian National Council for Children and Youth Organisations.

“Children and young people represent the future and are important stakeholders in finding the way forwards for a fair green transition.”

Find all the youth-led events here: "Programme for COP27" (norden.org)

The Nordic Pavilion will play host to more than 80 events at this year’s climate conference.

Since 2015, the Nordic countries have come together at the UN’s annual climate conference to create dialogue and share their knowledge.

You can follow the debates live or in person at the Nordic Pavilion.