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Youth Climate Justice Research: Share Your COP Experiences!
Are you a young person aged 8 to 28 with a story to tell about your journey in climate advocacy at global climate governance events? Whether you've participated in a COP conference or faced challenges trying to attend, we want to hear from you!
Our Youth Climate Justice Research Project at University College Cork (UCC) is conducting interviews to better understand the experiences, challenges, and aspirations of young people like you in the global climate movement. This study aims to explore the impact of children and youth participation on human rights and climate action.
We’re inviting:
- Children and young people who have attended a COP (Conference of the Parties) to share their insights on the conference experience, the challenges they faced, and how they are working toward change, from a human rights lens.
- Children and young people who wanted to attend COP but faced barriers, such as visa issues, financial limitations, or logistical challenges.
What Will You Talk About?
During a one-time, 40-60 minute online interview, we’ll explore topics such as:
- Your climate journey: What motivated you to get involved in environmental governance? What led you to pursue COP as a platform for change?
- Support systems: Did organisations support your journey to COP, and how did that shape your experience?
- Power dynamics: How did age, geography, or other aspects of your identity influence your ability to contribute at COP?
- Human rights intersections: How do human and children's rights fit into your climate work? Why is it crucial to include children’s rights in climate conversations?
- Impact and leadership: How do you see the role of children and young people at COP? Do you feel young voices are helping change perceptions on climate issues?
- Intergenerational relationships: What do you think about collaboration between younger and older generations in climate action? How does it help (or hinder) climate and human rights progress?
Why Participate?
- Confidential and Anonymous: Your experiences are valuable, and your privacy is our priority. All interviews will be confidential, and your identity will remain anonymous.
- Compensation for Your Time: To thank you for participating, you will receive a €50 reimbursement.
- Make a Difference: Your insights will inform research aimed at making high-level climate decision-making spaces more inclusive and accessible for young people worldwide.
Ready to Share Your Story?
Fill out this form to register for an interview, or contact our team for more details. For questions, reach out to Dr. Florencia Paz Landeira at fpazlandeira@ucc.ie or Prof. Aoife Daly at aoife.daly@ucc.ie.
About the Project
The Youth Climate Justice Research Project, led by Prof. Aoife Daly, is funded by the European Research Council and hosted by University College Cork. More about the project: Youth Climate Justice | University College Cork This study has obtained the ethical approval from UCC’s Social Research Ethics Committee. This research aims to make high-level environmental decision-making more inclusive of youth perspectives, particularly in global forums like COP. Your voice matters in building a sustainable future that respects both the environment and human rights.