Climate Action + Youth Leadership Panel

Related videos:

Moderating the panel is Jo Herbert-James, Networks and Theology Manager from Tearfund UK.

Panelists:
- Simangele Msweli, Co-Founder of the South African Youth Biodiversity Network and serves on the steering committee for a youth constituency in the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.
- Bertine Lakjohn, an environmental studies student from the Marshall Islands and is currently taking environmental studies at university in Washington State.
- Mathilde Emilie Thue, from Norway, from the World YMCA Executive Committee, who co-led the creation of one of the first World YMCA environment initiatives aiming to advance the climate change agenda.
- Hemant Ya-u-thai is an English Teacher - as well as a volunteer with the Chiang Mai YMCA, in Thailand, who has been taking action on climate through YMCA Asia Pacific Alliance's Green Ambassadors programme.
- Ana-Luisa Beserra is a young scientist, social entrepreneur and founder & CEO of Safe Drinking Water For All, based in Brazil.

This video formed part of the Youth-Led Solution Summit: Climate Action on Friday 23 October 2020. It is YMCA's new initiative to amplify youth solutions that positively impact local and global sustainability, the development of just and equitable communities, and the well-being of all people.

Contributors:

Jo Herbert-James

Tearfund UK, Networks & Theology Manager

Jo is Tearfund UK's Theology and Networks Manager for the US & Europe, focused on Environmental and Economic Sustainability and Director of the Justice Conference, UK. She is also studying for a PhD by Research at the University of Wales Trinity St David on faith engagement with climate change - including looking at consumerism and green economics. She is passionate about a holistic & practical approach to faith and theology and seeks to live it out in her own life, including journeying towards a zero waste lifestyle - and a zero waste wedding last year! Jo and her husband Pete live in Cardiff, Wales, UK.

Bertine Lakjohn

Environmental Studies student, Marshall Islands

To the Marshall Islands and Kosrae the climate emergency poses severe threats to its security, human rights and way of life. Something Bertine is acutely aware of, having taken part in and led youth leadership camps and dialogues on the subject, which inspired her into taking Environmental Studies at college.

Ana-Luísa Beserra

Founder & CEO, Safe Drinking Water For All

Young scientist and social entrepreneur that developed Aqualuz, the technology to treat rainwater from harvesting systems using sunlight in the world, the youngest Brazilian graduate in Leadership for New Enterprises from MIT. She won the UN Young Champions of the Earth award, and is listed as one of “20 inspiring young people in her 20" in Brazil by McKinsey & Company (2019).

Mathilde Emilie Thue

World YMCA Executive Committee

Serving as World YMCA's Strategy Committee Chair, Mathilde also led the creation of its first global environment initiative. She has taken part in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and to the UNFCCC representing Norwegian Children and Youth Council (LNU) in the Official Norwegian Delegation to the climate negotiations.

Hemant Ya-u-thai

Volunteer, Teacher, Chiang Mai YMCA

With a PhD in Educational Administration from the North Chiang Mai University, he has been taking action on climate through YMCA Asia Pacific Alliance's Green Ambassadors programme. He has helped to build dams, encourage the use of biofuels on campuses, and helped to save mangroves through the Sao Hin YMCA.

Simangele Msweli

Co-Founder, South African Youth Biodiversity Network

A conservationist with experience in scientific research, policy and community engagement with a Master of Science in Biological Sciences, currently serves in the steering committee of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (a youth constituency in the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity).