The color orange is beautiful

by Geena Berry

Orange at work
I’m hiding in a plenary room. Mostly so I can have the mental and physical space to write this out, plus the computer lab is not conducive for  munching on the pack of trail mix I’m enjoying for lunch. It’s already been a long day, and it is not even noon.  I attended my first YOUNGO meeting this morning. The YOUth NGOs, is what the UNFCCC recognize. Anyway, I went to the meeting this morning to support an Australian youth who presented a draft of the youth declaration we have been working on since Sunday. I had some expectation there would be a couple of comments (comments meaning heated debate and argument) about the one paper we proposed, but we didn’t even get there. The process that is currently established does not allow for the spokes council to deal with such matters. For clarification, the spokes council is made of spokes that are representing all the groups or organizations. Generally, knowing that we only have an hour a day together, not reading through full documents would be appropriate. However, when you are presenting a document that represents all of YOUNGO, and in turn loosely the youth of the entire world, one would hope our declaration would be representative. Talking about it would have been nice. Instead, the declaration got pushed to the side, and with the help of the policy group. Well, the work got done, but maybe without the best representation there could have been.

Orange in action
I sometimes get lost in the amount of actions that happen in one day among the youth. There are too many emails, some don’t send emails, they happen during 15 other events, there are 15 other actions going on, etc. Yet, either way I appreciate what seems like random noises echoing down the halls until you realize it is a scant, dance and important message that brings attention to the youth and all of our futures that are at stake.  It’s helpful to draw attention to ourselves and all the other important things we have written, our policies, statements and declarations; these documents give us credit, the actions give us weight. Our weight, drive and pushing the envelope is what makes us so effective.

Orange in number
Today is Youth Day at the UNFCCC. My title, The color orange is beautiful, is a reflection on the BRIGHT ORANGE shirts and scarves we are all wearing today (some creative COA kids also have head bands!). Our shirts say “How old will you be in 2050?” and “Don’t bracket our future”. Both messages draw attention to our future, which negotiators won’t be around for. Orange clothing makes us visible. Walking down the halls, sitting in plenary, the orange is everywhere. Most importantly, it is not just the youth that are seen with the color on, it is also the others in the conference center that support us; other NGOs and governments. Government representatives with orange on, it’s a beautiful sight.