Where young people from our projects live, the climate crisis has long been a reality. As part of the youth delegation of the youth network of the Semiarid Platform of Latin America, five of the young people quoted here represented their communities at the 2025 World Climate Conference. They were able to contribute their perspectives to the global climate debate – for a future in which no one is left behind.
World climate conferences such as the COP30 in Brazil in November are far more than symbolic milestones in the fight for the climate – they are a vibrant space for exchange, networking and shared learning. For young people from the semi-arid regions of Latin America, who are experiencing the spread of desertification in their areas, this year’s conference meant one thing above all: the chance to contribute their own visions of climate justice and solutions that they are already implementing to the global debate.
Building bridges for young prospects
Our central concern was to open doors and build bridges so that young people’s voices are strengthened and heard in global negotiation spaces. Together with the Latin American Platform for Semi-Arid Territories, we initiated a four-month educational process that trained around 400 young people from eight Latin American countries – including from our projects in El Salvador, Brazil and Colombia – in agroecology, climate justice and political influence. Online training and practical workshops provided a new space to exchange knowledge and jointly sharpen their demands on the global community. From this group emerged a committed delegation of ten young people who were able to attend COP30 in person thanks to intensive lobbying and networking work by our partner organizations and terre des hommes schweiz.
For a fairer global climate policy
Their manifesto, which was also presented to the Swiss ambassador to Brazil at the conference, brings the most pressing concerns of their home regions to the international negotiating table and thus to the center of the debate on a fairer global climate policy: agroecological solutions, innovative strategies against water scarcity or direct funding for young people, communities and indigenous peoples who use their experience to implement community-based and effective solutions to adapt to climate change.
“We are not asking for charity – we are demanding climate justice!“
(quote from manifesto)
Because they are also guardians of the forests that are being destroyed by the Global North. A commitment that has a global impact and must be supported by the international community.
“We fight for the protection and defense of our territories, which are among the most vulnerable to accelerated climate change.“
(quote from manifesto)
Read the manifesto of the youth from the semi-arid regions of Latin America and their seven demands to the world community.
“This document expresses our resistance, our hope and our demand for climate justice.“
(quote from manifesto)
Want to find out more about the young people and their journey to COP30? Take a look at our Instagram channel!
