COP29 delegates to speak at Schiller symposium
Three months after their return from COP29鈥攖he United Nations Climate Change Conference, also referred to as the Conference of the Parties鈥攎embers of the 涩里番下载 delegation will share their experiences and takeaways from the influential summit, at the Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society鈥檚 COP Symposium on February 21 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., at 245 Beacon Street in Room 501, the Schiller Institute Convening Space.
鈥淎 driving principle behind our COP programming is to ensure that the University鈥檚 investment in COP benefits not only the outstanding students and faculty who are selected to be on the delegation, but the greater 涩里番下载 community as well,鈥� said Schiller Institute Seidner Family Executive Director Laura J. Steinberg.
The Schiller Institute organizes the 涩里番下载 initiative, which has sent four delegations as an Observer Organization to COP, the center of global climate change policymaking. COP29 was held November 11-22 in Baku, Azerbaijan. 涩里番下载鈥檚 COP29 contingent included four faculty members, six graduate and seven undergraduate students, and staff lead Kaley McCarty, Schiller Institute assistant director of programs. 聽
鈥淭he COP Symposium provides an engaging space for delegates鈥攚ho have described their experiences as 鈥榯ransformative鈥欌�攖o share what they鈥檝e learned in a personal, interactive way,鈥� Steinberg said.
Esquire Henry
The symposium begins with an 11 a.m. panel which will provide an overview of COP29 and the involvement of the 涩里番下载 delegation. Following a noon lunch break and networking opportunity, symposium attendees will hear from accomplished climate activist, youth advocate, and community leader Esquire Henry, CARICOM Youth Ambassador for Antigua and Barbuda, a member of the United Nations Youth Advisory Group for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, and of the Caribbean Development Bank鈥檚 Future Leaders鈥� Network. 聽
Henry has earned several awards for his humanitarian efforts, advocacy, and environmental contributions, including the 2023 Department of Youth Affairs National Youth Awards for Community Service and Young Activism and the 2022 Halo Hero Humanitarian Award. 聽
A Q&A session will follow his presentation.
At 1:30 p.m., an open-house format will showcase exhibits, through which delegates will present their findings and COP29 experiences.
鈥淲e hope that attendees will leave the symposium with a greater understanding of how to become a change-maker and with a deeper appreciation for the complexity of the climate conversations that are playing out on the international stage,鈥� said Steinberg. The event also provides an opportunity to learn about involvement in COP30.
The Schiller Institute is committed to producing programming that extends the University鈥檚 investment in sending a delegation to COP and allows students, faculty, and others to benefit from COP programming, with events leading up to, during, and after the conference.
University community members are聽 invited to attend all or part of the event, and are asked to . Refreshments will be available.
For more information about 涩里番下载's delegation to COP29, read a roundup of participant perspectives and a Q&A with delegate Gustavo Cardona e Almeida, a Woods College of Advancing Studies graduate student.