Influencing the World's Leaders
28 June 2012
By Adam Pillsbury, Senior Communications Manager, Sustainability and Climate Change
A delegation of accomplished eco-entrepreneurs and emerging leaders from our Global Changemakers, E-idea and Climate Generation programmes showcased their successful green enterprises and initiatives and met with decision makers at the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development.
Selected on the basis of their leadership skills and innovative eco-solutions, the 11 British Council delegates, aged 19 to 36, hail from nine countries in four continents. They included a sustainable building consultant from the UK; an energy efficiency expert from China; a member of the Climate Change Commission for Wales; a campaigner for the Polar Regions from Canada; a member of Sri Lanka’s youth delegation to Rio; and the founders of social enterprises that promote cycling in Argentina and tackle smog in Thailand.
One of our delegates from Sri Lanka, Sikander Sabeer, represented the major group of Children and Youth at the conference closing ceremony.
Global Changemakers’ Director Francesca Martonffy explained that the delegation aimed ‘to bring to the attention of decision-makers and social influencers who shape events like Rio+20 the powerful ideas and replicable enterprise models developed by our delegates.’
The delegates showcased their solutions in exhibitions and presentations, joined national negotiation teams and brought their expertise to the debates. They served as panellists in prominent fringe events, including one co-hosted by EarthChild and UNICEF on the power of young people to make a difference.
Pedro Soares, one of our delegates and a researcher based in the Amazon, participated in events on engaging the private sector, cooperation between developing countries in the global South and efforts to curb deforestation while protecting the rights of indigenous peoples. Another delegate, Jinwha Kim, exhibited his company’s sustainable fashion in the Korea Pavilion and this, he said, showed 'how businesses can make money from green economy projects,’ and generated, ‘many proposals from various delegations and organizations.’
Visitors to Jinwha Kim's ethical fashion exhibition inside the official Korea Pavilion.
Andrew Picken, co-leader of our delegation, said, ‘our eco-entrepreneurs are pioneers in what has been called a “new industrial revolution,” and our programmes that foster eco enterprise help to position the UK as a world leader in the green economy, which now employs nearly 1 million Britons.’
The delegates met with UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Scottish Environment Minister Stewart Salmond. UK Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman sent a note expressing how impressed she was by them, adding that, ‘It is hugely important for global leaders to listen to and heed the advice of young people.’
Some of our delegates, Taylor Zhou and Jelena Kiselova met with UK's Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.
Despite ending with a weak agreement, ‘Rio+20 was a fabulous experience,’ said one delegate, while another added, ‘I have been inspired by global leaders talking about the change we need. I will take this knowledge to make the future we want in my community and country.’
Dr. Jo Beall, Director Education and Society said, ‘Sending these outstanding delegates to Rio underscores our commitment to growing next generation leadership. These young people will leverage the knowledge, contacts and experiences gained at Rio to enhance their projects, work internationally and communicate what they have learned to large audiences in their countries.’
