A group of teachers and community mentors have come together to offer a Youth Climate Action Conference for students grades 8 through 12.
The Youth Climate Action Conference Committee says the conference is designed to create positive environmental change and educate youth around the issues we face on Vancouver Island.
The conference will provide a space for youth to collaborate and plan solutions for a better future with support from local community mentors.
One of the committee members, Heather Beckett says the conference is important because our youth are leading the way and they need a place to share their ideas.
“I think our youth has made it clear that they are seeking change. They have joined eco groups at the different schools, they have planned successful climate strikes and I think they are seeking more than what is being offered right now and I think they’re looking for ways to create change within their communities and concrete solutions for change around environmental issues and climate change,” said Beckett.
She added that although it’s in the early stages, she encourages anyone to come out and see what the conference is about.
“We are just in the initial stages in getting support from the schools and the homeschooling and the broader community. We encourage all youth within the Comox Valley whether they are affiliated with a school or an eco group or not to sign up and to come and get involved and have a great day with us.”
The conference will also feature a wide array of speakers including author and teacher Dr. Elin Kelsey, community organizer Meaghan Cursons, and CVRD community environmental educator Tina Will-Stepan.
It will be free for students to attend but is expected to fill up quickly. The deadline to apply will be January 24th.
For more information, email conference organizer Serina Allison, Heather Beckett or Jill Peacocke at [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected].
The Youth Climate Conference takes place at the Florence Filberg Center in Courtenay, on February 13th.
