At the UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn 8-18 May, there will be several activities highlighting how the public can take action on climate change education as part of the UNFCCC secretariat's "Action for Climate Empowerment" initiative. Here are the highlights:

10 May: Launch of the 2017 Global Youth Video Competition

Starting on 10 May, young people from around the world can share the actions they are taking to combat climate change by entering a video in the Global Youth Video Competition on Climate Change.

If you or someone you know is between the ages of 18 and 30 we want to hear about your/their meaningful activities in the fight against climate change in a compelling and concise video (3 minutes maximum). The two themes of this year’s competition are “Climate friendly and resilient cities” and “Oceans and climate.”

One winner for each theme will be selected and they will receive a trip to the UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany (COP 23). At COP 23 the winners will join the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) communications team as videographers and reporters.

The competition is co-organized by the UNFCCC and the UNDP- GEF Small Grants Programme, and implemented by Television for the Environment- tve.

To learn more about the competition visit our webpage. 

13 May: Accelerating climate solutions through education and gender mainstreaming (side event)

The UNFCCC will be partnering with UN Women to host a side event during the Bonn Climate Change Conference which will focus on integrating gender issues into ACE related programmes.

The event will showcase good practices in accelerating climate solutions through education, training and public awareness, and it will also involve relevant stakeholders who will debate on innovative approaches to mobilize climate action and to mainstream gender issues.

The event is open to Parties, representatives of bodies established under the Convention, experts, practitioners and stakeholders.

15 and 16 May: 5th Dialogue on Action for Climate Empowerment

Empowering people through providing climate change education and training opportunities is a fundamental component in addressing the challenges presented by the changing climate.

This year’s dialogue on Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) will focus on the two focal areas of climate change education and training, with international cooperation as a cross-cutting theme.

• Session I: Climate Change Education and International Cooperation on this matter, 15 May 2017 15:00-18:00, room Santiago de Chile
• Session II: Climate Change Training and International Cooperation on this matter, 16 May 2017 15:00-18:00, room Santiago de Chile

The dialogue will provide governments, international organizations, NGO’s, and relevant stakeholders with the opportunity to exchange ideas, share good practices, and to discuss lessons learned in implementing activities related to these themes.  

This year’s dialogue will cover a variety of topics, including integrating education and training into the national climate action plans of governments (Nationally Determined Contributions, or “NDCs”), financing opportunities available to Parties for ACE related programmes, and forming partnerships. The event will also incorporate working group discussions, more information on the dialogue and the agenda can be found here.