Climate Change and Human Rights

26 Mar 2021

Open to All

Photo: Sean Hawkey

Time: 12:00 - 13:30 | GMT+01:00

Series:

Human Rights Council

Urgently Addressing Climate Change as a Human Rights Issue: Small Island States, Indigenous, Youth and Faith perspectives

Climate change is one of the most urgent human rights issues of our time, directly and indirectly threatening the enjoyment and realization of human rights of all. The small island and least developed countries are particularly vulnerable. The Indigenous Peoples, youth and people living in poverty are affected in unequal ways.

Though the most recent scientific data conclude that climate change is accelerating, demanding an urgent and coordinated response, there is as yet no dedicated mechanism at the Human Rights Council (HRC) that tackles climate change in a holistic, systematic, and consistent manner. Moreover, there is a clear need to strengthen the connection between the HRC and the key international frameworks governing global climate change negotiations.

This event is organized by the Geneva Interfaith Forum (GIF) on Climate Change, Environment and Human Rights, of which the LWF is a member. It takes place in conjunction with the 46th Session of the HRC and brings together voices and visions from small island states, Indigenous Peoples, youth, and faith communities. Its goal is to establish the connections between climate change and human rights, as well as to share information about concrete proposals and initiatives for addressing the human rights impacts of climate change in this context.

Speakers:

Didier Georges, Haiti, Permanent Mission of Haiti to the UN in Geneva
Yves Lador, Switzerland, Earthjustice
Sis Jayanti, United Kingdom, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University
Aldonna Purba, Lutheran World Federation Youth voice
Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Chad, Coordinator of the Association of Peul Women and Autochthonous Peoples of Chad
Rev James Bhagwan, Fiji, Pacific Conference of Churches