Climate change is a reality that all must face together, and Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are thinking of both today and tomorrow by involving, educating and promoting a new generation of volunteers to respond to the challenges communities must face and help them address the humanitarian consequences of climate change.

“Our youth volunteers, in particular, are very creative and enthusiastic in involving other young people in their cause. This is why it is especially important that we continue to involve our youth volunteers in the design and implementation of activities to reduce the impact of climate change.” Geri Lau, Head of the International Federation’s Organizational Development Department

Red Cross Red Crescent youth are already taking action on climate change. They are learning more about climate change in their countries and communities, making sure youth voices are being heard, getting together in groups to discuss climate change and creating projects that address its impacts in their communities.

Launch of the Youth on the move climate change initiative

In line with the commitments made in the 2009 Solferino Youth Declaration, the IFRC is committed to empowering youth to become leaders by providing them with the tools, training and opportunities needed to become strong advocates for the humanitarian work of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. This two-year climate change initiative is designed to promote youth involvement in the field and to empower their voice as Red Cross Red Crescent spokespersons advocating for greater support in helping vulnerable communities adapt to the impacts of climate change, in line with the Red Cross Red Crescent global position. Download here (pdf, 365 kB) the complete announcement.

Interested in the Young Scholars for Humanitarian Work Programme?

We have ongoing arrangements for internships and temporary consultancy contracts with a few international institutions, leading to a more sustainable and well-supported system to accommodate interns and consultants. If you are affiliated with one of the below mentioned universities, we would be keen to explore a collaboration with your academic institution if a faculty member is willing and able to supervise the interested student(s), and contacts us with preliminary ideas on how to link your academic requirements with our humanitarian needs. Universities the Climate Centre has arrangements with are Boston University, Brandeis University, Columbia University, Harvard University, Institute of Development Studies (Sussex) King's College London, University of Manchester, MIT, Parsons School of Design, University College London, Oxford and Cambridge, University of Colorado at Boulder, University of Maryland, New York University, University of Miami, University of Cape Town, University of Iceland, Wageningen University, and Yale. 
Find out more on our Young scholars page! 

Climate change youth update from Red Crescent and Red Cross Youth from COP16

Young volunteers continue to communicate their views on the latest events at COP16. Yesterday,  two youth delegates from Colombian RC played Riskland, the Climate Ladder Game and did a puppet show at the Climate Change Village. Please find below 3 stories posted on the Our world, your move blog (two of them in Spanish) and a photo album illustrating youth activities in Cancun.

• http://www.ourworld-yourmove.org/climate-change/cop16-the-unfccc-negotiations-more-than-global-decision-making/
• http://www.ourworld-yourmove.org/es/uncategorized-es/cop16-tendencias-y-percepciones-de-las-problematicas-de-cambio-climatico/   (in Spanish)
• http://www.ourworld-yourmove.org/es/apoyo-a-la-campana-nuestro-mundo-tu-accion/cop16-juventud-entre-juventud-frente-al-cambio-climatico/   (in Spanish)
• COP16 flickr photo album: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ifrc/sets/72157625513211268/  

Climate Change: Take Action Now!
A guide to supporting the local actions of children and young people, with a special emphasis on girls and young women

This guide (pdf, 941 kB) is produced by UNICEF and the Alliance of Youth CEOs, which includes:

• The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award International Association/ The International Award Association (IAA) 
• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
• World Alliance of YMCAs (YMCA)
• World Young Women’s Christian Association (World YWCA)
• World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS)
• World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM)

Youth Climate Kit: helpful documents for Red Cross Red Crescent youth initiatives

• The young humanitarian's guide to making a move on the impacts of climate change: (English (pdf, 587 kB) and Spanish (pdf, 596 kB))
• Youth Making a Move stickers (English (pdf, 1 MB), French and Spanish (pdf, 1 MB))
• Youth on the Move swap cards: The Netherlands (pdf, 1019 kB), Pacific (pdf, 1 MB), Zimbabwe (pdf, 1020 kB), Malawi (pdf, 1 MB), Americas (pdf, 1 MB), Indonesia (pdf, 1008 kB). 

Youth blog on Our World - Your Move

The Our world-Your move campaign is the global Red Cross/ Red Crescent campaign launched on this year's World Red Cross Red Crescent Day (8 May). The campaign focuses on 14 humanitarian challenges, one of which is climate change. Recently, Rebecca McNaught and Maarten van Aalst contributed to the blog 'Climate change: What can you do? Make your move' . Read the blog posts and find interesting and informative videos, background documents, as well as materials from other partners on the Our world-Your move blog, flanked by activities and campaigns on Facebook, Youtube and Twitter.

Red Cross Red Crescent publication examples

• Solomon Islands Red Cross youth for change (pdf, 604 kB). 
• Australian Red Cross Youth Volunteers turning up the heat on climate change (pdf, 266 kB)
• Australian Red Cross Fragile Earth E-Zine (pdf, 3 MB)
• Colombian Red Cross acts on climate change (pdf, 844 kB)
• Danish Red Cross: Talk Klima (pdf, 7 MB)
• Youth Red Cross Indonesia Participation best practice fact sheet (pdf, 1017 kB)
• Spanish Red Cross booklet Youth on the Move (pdf, 523 kB)
• Costa Rica Red Cross colouring book (pdf, 108 kB)
• Italian Red Cross Report on climate change activities (pdf, 1 MB)
• Frequently asked questions (pdf, 3 MB)

Disaster Masters

Disaster Masters has been designed as for young people of secondary school age (11 – 16 yrs) and above. The primary purpose of Disaster Masters is to introduce young people to the work of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), to explore various human aspects of disasters and emergencies and how these are affected by climate change. Go here (pdf, 897 kB) for the full document.

Download here detailed information on Mastering Climate Change, an interactive role play that was designed by the British Red Cross as a resource for young people of secondary school age (11 to 16) and above.

Children in a changing climate

• Halima from Ethiopia (pdf, 973 kB)
• Jemery from North Canada (pdf, 907 kB)
• Tepkatchi from Brazil (pdf, 1 MB)
• Tui from Tuvalu (pdf, 937 kB)

Youth presentations on climate change

• What is climate change (powerpoint)
• What is climate change (pdf, 702 kB)
• Youth action on climate change (pdf, 2 MB)
• Notes to go with both presentations

Youth video links

• Climate change at the Atlantis V youth Camp, July 2009
• Mehdia Atlantis V video workshop
• Young scholars on climate change
• A good example of a National Society doing outreach to children in a participatory way

Climate change game for children

• A game of goose with a focus on climate knowledge (pdf, 3 MB), prepared by the Colombia Red Cross (Spanish)

Related links

For more information please take a look at one of the following websites:

• UNICEF Unite for Climate
• Children in a changing climate
• Red Cross Red Crescent youth pages
• Extreme weather heroes
• UNICEF's climate change and children publication
• Red Cross/Red Crescent World Youth Meeting 2009

Youth declaration

Read more about the global Youth declaration that was written by Red Cross Red Crescent youth from 149 countries, and in which they call upon their national societies and all governments to adapt to climate change and to address catastrophes.