Young people have come together at the third Youth Conference, which is taking place in Port Vila this week.

These young people came from islands across the country and took part in different community projects that are helping people to adapt to the problems that climate change is causing, which are affecting life in communities.

The third conference brings them together so they can share their ideas, challenges, and hopes through climate action and help develop the National Adaptation Plan of the country.

Pallen Philip of World Vision, who oversees Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action, said these youths are part of the climate fight that Vanuatu and other small island countries have taken to the ICJ.

And this week, they will contribute to the National Adaptation Plan.

“This year we have a chance for youths coming together and they contribute to the National Adaptation Plan, where they can inform the National Adaptation Plan to use the voice of the youth inside the country. And it is not just about climate change, but it is about the different sectors that are inside the NSDP.”

He said this conference will help raise the voice of the youth at the national and international level.

“Part of the conference this year is to identify champions inside the conference of youths to represent Vanuatu, or the Pacific, especially under the Pacific Island Climate Action Network to get youths to Efate.”

The youths are part of different community projects such as mangrove planting, reforestation, reef planting, and waste management in the ocean and on land.

Two youths from Efate, Christopher and Yvonne, shared their challenges and the work they are doing as part of climate action.

Christopher Saikot said:

“Shortage of food in the garden and sea level rise in the coastal areas, we came to be part of this program to reduce and adapt with climate impacts.”

Yvonne Meto said:

“During the disaster, a lot of sickness was spreading, so they provided us with seeds to do backyard gardening to feed us and to keep fit.”

The Ministry of Climate Change will help to facilitate this conference. Acting Director of the Climate Change Department, Nelson Kalo, said the future policy of the country is in the hands of the youth, and this conference is important.

“We know that youth tomorrow is our concern to safeguard when it comes to climate change, so we want to give them this platform and this opportunity to gather them and give their voice.”

World Vision is leading the conference with partners such as Vanuatu Climate Action Network (VCAN), Care International, Save the Children, Oxfam, UNICEF, Vanuatu Youth Challenge and Foundation for the Betterment Society.