What is the Commonwealth Youth Climate Network (CYCN) ?

The Commonwealth Youth Climate Network (CYCN) was set up in 2009 to build the capacity of young climate activists across the Commonwealth and the globe. The launch summit which took place in 2009 at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London attracted over 70 young people from across the Commonwealth and featured workshops, panel discussions and presentations from various international organisations. In 2010, with support from Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council and the Commonwealth Secretariat 10 leading young activists on Climate Issues from around the Commonwealth came together for a week to share learning, visit various projects and plan the production of a practical learning resource. They also decided to develop a tool-kit as well as a fellowship programme.  The network’s core membership includes representatives from the National Youth Climate Coalitions of Australia, Canada, India and Nigeria and the Caribbean Youth Environment Network in addition to activists from the UK, Cameroon, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Singapore and the Maldives. Membership is open to willing individuals and organisations from across the Commonwealth. This connection of youth leaders with expertise on climate issues from across the commonwealth enable sharing of experience and expertise, development of common actions and campaigns to influence change through their collective voice. Because the commonwealth is a unique global network linking South and North, small and large, members of the network believe that it is well positioned to facilitate communities worldwide to effectively combat climate change whether through campaigning to influence policy, adopting more sustainable lifestyles or educating the population. was set up to build the capacity of young climate activists across the Commonwealth and the globe.

What have we done so far ?

Our 2009 launch summit at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London attracted over 70 young people from across the Commonwealth and featured workshops. Panel discussions and presentations from organisations such as Tearfund, the UN Programme on Youth, the Commonwealth Foundation, Baroness Kinnock of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and pioneer of sustainable development theory and action Jonathan Porritt. In 2010, with support from Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council and the Commonwealth Secretariat we brought together 10 leading young activists on Climate Issues from around the Commonwealth together for a week to share learning and projects. In 2011 we sent a team at the 8^th Commonwealth Youth Forum in Perth, Australia, to lobby our governments and youth delegates. Currently we are finalizing the production of a tool-kit to be launched (TBC) in June 2012 at the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro. Young people across the commonwealth and worldwide will then have access this resource covering education, advocacy, practical action and transformational leadership.

A pan-commonwealth  programme dedicated to developing a clear and shared vision for the future of young people,  and to  save succeeding generations from the impacts of climate change.

Empowers young people to be able to translate climate change scenarios into effective policy development and improved understanding of impacts on young peoples’ health, well-being and economic success in a sustainable future.

Aimed at facilitating the exchange of experiences and the advancement of collective knowledge among young people and their communities in tackling Climate Change.

Suports policy development process and pratical actions,  and ensure that all stakeholders, both public and private, are clear on their roles and responsibilities combating climate change