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Scout campaigners invited to Copenhagen conference debrief
23/12/2009
Over 30 members of the Scout Young Campaigners team joined a specially invited audience to hear Secretary of State Ed Miliband and Prime Minister Gordon Brown offer their views on last week’s climate change summit in Copenhagen.
The event at the Department of Energy and Climate Change offered an opportunity for the Scouts to quiz Mr Miliband on events in Copenhagen and hear his thoughts on how the UK and the international community can move forward and the role that groups can play. The Prime Minister spoke via video link and answered questions.
‘It was important that we were represented as we are the biggest youth movement in the world,’ said Explorer Scout Matt Lightfoot. ‘It was a really good event which gave us a great insight into the government’s views on how the summit went.’
Scout Network member and Cub Leader Lizzie Harvey agreed, highlighting the impact Scouting can make: 'We look forward as a movement. Scouting has been going for 100 years and will continue for another 100,’ she said. ‘Young people can make a huge difference on green issues.’
Scouting’s international outlook
In an audience which comprised ambassadors, high commissioners and green campaigners, three Scouts managed to put their enquiries directly to the Secretary of State. Answering them, Mr Miliband took time to recognise how ‘important’ and ‘tough’ the questions were, leaving him in no doubt as to how seriously Scouts feel about the climate change.
The High Commissioner for the Maldives, a country which is very much threatened by rising sea levels, was also in attendance and the Scout contingent from Biggleswade were delighted to discover that she lives near them. The group now plan to involve her in some local CO2-busting initiatives.
‘As an international organisation, one of our duties is to look out for our worldwide family of Scouts, particularly those in countries at great risk from climate change,’ stated Matt. ‘This isn’t something we can just react to. We need to be proactive.’
Educational and fun activities
A number of Scouts attended the Copenhagen Climate Change summit along with representatives from 192 countries. They provided fun, educational activities for young people focussing on what individuals can do to help combat climate change.
The Scout Young Campaigners team learn how to advocate and campaign for the causes that matter to them and to Scouting. Drawn from all over the UK they have already enjoyed great success with the Stop the Rain Tax campaign.
Further information
For more information on the Scout Young Campaigners team join their Facebook group.
If you would like to become a Young Campaigner email us.
Stop the Rain Tax
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