Mobilizing and Empowering Youth for Climate Action in Timor-Leste?

Mobilizing and Empowering Youth for Climate Action in Timor-Leste

The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, a small island state recovering from a history of conflict, is increasingly facing challenges posed by climate crisis. With a fragile economy reliant on oil and gas, as well as agriculture, particularly coffee exports, the country is highly vulnerable to climate-related risks. The government of Timor-Leste (GoTL) is actively working to build resilience against these threats, but the task is made more urgent by the country’s exposure to climate hazards such as floods, tropical cyclones and droughts.

In 2021, Timor-Leste was devastated by floods and landslides caused by tropical cyclone Seroja, marking the worst flooding event in 40 years, with significant losses in lives, homes, and infrastructure. Such events have highlighted the urgency of climate action. In this context, empowering Timorese youth to be at the forefront of addressing climate crisis is crucial for building a sustainable future. Youth have the energy, creativity, and potential to drive positive change, yet they are often underrepresented in climate discussions at national and global levels.

The Role of Youth in Climate Action

Youth in Timor-Leste must be engaged actively in climate-related policy development and disaster preparedness. Their involvement not only allows for diverse perspectives but also ensures that climate solutions are both innovative and inclusive. Currently, the Government of Timor-Leste’s efforts to engage youth in national climate conversations remain limited. To change this, youth need to be prepared for roles as climate negotiators and decision-makers, and the government should strengthen its commitment to empowering youth in this arena.

The Laudato Si’ Movement Timor-Leste, aligned with Pope Francis’ call for environmental stewardship, seeks to empower young people by promoting social justice and care for the planet. In line with this mission, I, alongside other colleagues from the movement, organized the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) Timor-Leste 2024, with the theme “Youth for Climate Action.” The initiative provided a platform for youth to engage with climate issues, build capacity, and contribute to solutions at both local and international levels.

The LCOY Timor-Leste 2024: “Mobilizing Youth for Climate Action”

The LCOY Timor-Leste 2024 brought together youth from across the country to discuss and tackle pressing climate issues. The event was designed to create a space for young people to share solutions, collaborate on climate advocacy, and gain practical experience in climate negotiations. The conference will unfold in three key phases:

Pre-conference Workshops: Participants engaged in workshops that introduced the LCOY initiative and covered critical climate topics such as the UNFCCC process, Timor-Leste’s climate policy, and the global challenges surrounding climate crisis. These workshops included training on climate adaptation, mitigation, loss and damage, and climate finance, preparing participants to contribute to decision-making processes and advocating for inclusive climate policies.
Main Conference: The three-day conference featured discussions, skill-building sessions, and activities aimed at enhancing participants’ understanding of the climate impacts facing Timor-Leste. A central activity was a climate simulation game, which enabled participants to understand the complexities of international climate negotiations and the challenges of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The event culminated in the drafting of the National Youth Statement, which outlined the priorities of youth for climate action.
Post-conference Engagement: After the event, participants were encouraged to use storytelling to illustrate the effects of climate change on their communities. Top stories have been showcased through LCOY social media platforms and the Laudato Si’ Movement Timor-Leste website to inspire broader action. A storytelling competition was held, and the best narratives received a prize of $25 in phone credit, incentivizing youth to engage more deeply with the issue and contribute their voices to climate advocacy.

The LCOY Timor-Leste 2024 conference raised awareness about regional climate challenges such as food security and disaster resilience, promoted innovative solutions through community-driven initiatives, and empowered participants to advocate for climate action at both national and global levels. By building youth capacity in these areas, the conference empowered young people to take an active role in shaping a sustainable future for Timor-Leste.

As a passionate young leader committed to addressing climate change, organizing LCOY Timor-Leste 2024 represented a significant achievement and had been a long-held goal of mine since I began my advocacy work in this field. I aspire to organize similar initiatives in the future to engage more youth in supporting the Timor-Leste government’s efforts to address climate crisis. By fostering greater youth involvement, I aim to contribute to a collective movement that strengthens our response to environmental challenges and promotes sustainable development in our country.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

The future of Timor-Leste’s climate resilience depends on the actions of today. The LCOY Timor-Leste 2024 is more than just a conference—it is a call to action for youth to take charge of climate change efforts. The experience of organizing this event has shown that youth in Timor-Leste are ready to step up and lead in this critical fight. Their participation in climate discussions, both locally and globally, is essential for creating solutions that are sustainable, inclusive, and impactful.

By amplifying the voices of youth and involving them in key decision-making processes, we can ensure that Timor-Leste not only addresses its current climate challenges but also prepares for a future where the younger generation leads the way in creating positive change. LCOY Timor-Leste 2024 exemplifies the potential of youth to drive meaningful climate action, and it is essential that this momentum continues as we work toward a more resilient and sustainable Timor-Leste.