RCOY (Regional Conference of Youth) Europe 2024 took place from 10th-12th May 2024 in Vienna, Austria! It was organised by CliMates Austria and was part of the official UNFCCC YOUNGO Conferences of Youth. We asked some participants to share their experiences with us by replying to three questions:
- Who or what inspired you at RCOY?
- What is one thing that you learned at RCOY?
- What is a fun fact you want to share from RCOY?
Click through the carousels below to hear from Viktoriia, Lekshmipriya, Maxime, Greta, Patricia, Moira, and John.
1. Who or what inspired you at RCOY?
The whole RCOY community. Both the organizing team and each of the delegates provided me with an incredible dose of motivation and inspiration because everyone brought their own experience, knowledge and history that created this safe space through diversity and inclusion. All so different, yet equally driven by a common desire to make the future a better place, so it couldn’t help but be breathtaking. I really gained a lot of insights for myself and deepened my understanding of the climate challenges in different regions of Europe.
Viktoriia Barylovska
16, Ukraine
RCOY Europe marked my initial exposure to international conferences, and it far exceeded my expectations. The opportunity to engage with a diverse group of young professionals, all committed to building a better future, was truly enriching. A noteworthy aspect of the conference that inspired me was the organization and professionalism; each workshop was meticulously planned, offering clear, actionable insights. This experience not only broadened my understanding but also deepened my commitment to environmental advocacy. Another important point I noted was the attentive way in which they valued audience input. Organizers diligently recorded the points we, as attendees, provided, ensuring our ideas and suggestions were considered. This inclusive approach enhanced the overall collaborative spirit of the conference, making it evident that our contributions were integral to shaping the ongoing dialogue on climate change.
Lekshmipriya Nair
22, Germany
At RCOY, Andreas Beckmann from WWF left a huge impact on me during his personal talk with our small group. His sincere sharing of his journey to environmental activism resonated deeply. Andreas admission of initially lacking the courage to act on his environmental concerns until his mid-twenties resonated with my own experiences. His story of beginning a path of volunteering, which eventually evolved into a career, highlighted the transformative power of following your convictions. This journey served as a powerful reminder of the potential for personal growth and fulfillment that comes from aligning your actions with deeply held beliefs. His words encouraged me to embrace my own convictions and take meaningful steps towards creating positive change in the world. I felt a deep connection to his experience, having similarly found unexpected career opportunities through volunteering after feeling a desire for more meaningful work. His quote resonated with me: “Life is too short to live someone else’s life; life is too short not to make yours count, in whatever way is right for you.”
Maxime Zadel
29, Netherlands
All the participants at RCOY inspired me. Youth from over 30 countries managed to come together in Vienna, to work on making this world a better place together. Combining so many diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas was not always easy but despite these challenges, each participant brought their passion and experience to voluntarily contribute to the cause. Seeing so many young people fighting for a better world gave me tremendous motivation and inspiration to keep going and keep being active.
Greta Kämper
24, Germany & Austria
I was profoundly inspired by the diverse climate change initiatives and projects being carried out by my fellow delegates in their respective countries and beyond. Interacting with each one of them was a powerful reminder of the incredible impacts that young people can have on our planet. Beyond the tangible projects, I was encouraged by the intellectual expertise on display by the youths, some still in their teens, as they articulated complex climate change issues. Witnessing their tireless efforts in the fight for climate justice was truly inspiring. In every delegate, I saw a beacon of hope; their works, their knowledge, and their unwavering commitment to our planet were a powerful reminder that the future is indeed in capable hands.
Patricia M. Longwani
25, Zambia & Luxembourg
I can say, without a doubt that every single person at RCOY left some impact on me. From the organisers to the participants, every unique perspective was more insightful than the last. But what impressed me even more was not our different experiences, but our shared goals and morals. To meet such a diverse group of people from all around the world who all want to change the world around them is truly inspiring. I appreciated every participant as we all came together to discuss very important topics. While I am of the opinion that one should spend time not only with those who are like-minded, I really enjoyed our time, as my previous experiences have been anything but like-minded. It was a true honour to be in that room with each and every person.
Moira Lako
18, Albania
Conferences and gathering as such are one of those spaces that inspires us to think beyond our existing perspectives and open new dimensions. One of the discussions on how do we think as youth within the European context and its difference to global south was interesting to explore further. In addition, how much more youth in Europe could do compared to other regions where there are high youth engagements, but are limited due to lack of resources and platforms.
John Paul Jose
27, Belgium
2. What is one thing that you learned at RCOY?
I’m a part of the team that is organizing LCOY in Ukraine for the first time this year, so thanks to RCOY Europe 2024 I was able to understand what steps I need to take to make the conference effective and meaningful in the context of my country. Thanks to the specific workshops and conversations with YOUNGO representatives, the organizing team and other delegates who have experience in organizing LCOY, I got a lot of valuable advice and gained more confidence.
Viktoriia Barylovska
16, Ukraine
While I was familiar with most topics discussed at the RCOY Europe workshops, the conference illuminated the profound depth of the concepts discussed. I gained insight into how these ideas impact us in real life and how they can be integrated to address climate change effectively. Additionally, the conference underscored the importance of considering social dimensions, particularly the needs of vulnerable populations. Workshops addressing issues like the ‘White Savior Complex’ broadened my perspective, emphasizing the necessity of viewing environmental solutions through a comprehensive and inclusive lens. This approach is crucial for creating meaningful and equitable change. Furthermore, it taught me how even small actions can generate significant societal impacts. The conference brought together highly motivated young delegates, all eager to contribute to environmental protection and sustainability. The three-day session was eye-opening, offering me a clearer understanding of how I can actively participate in driving positive change.
Lekshmipriya Nair
22, Germany
During my time at RCOY, Diana Garlytska’s workshop provided insights into reshaping your career. She emphasized that transitioning to a completely different career path should not be viewed as a failure, but rather as a natural evolution in your lifelong journey. By reframing your perspective, you can view your career as dynamic lifepath that evolve over time. This mindset shift allows for greater flexibility and openness to exploring new opportunities aligned with your passions and values, ultimately leading to more fulfilling and sustainable career choices. Also, engaging in discussions with delegates from all around the world further highlighted the common challenges faced in choosing greener career paths. We also explored the gap between university and your first job, and how societal pressures often push us towards corporate, high-paying jobs with less emphasis on environmental sustainability. It was a truly enriching experience that emphasized the importance of embracing change and pursuing careers that align with your values.
Maxime Zadel
29, Netherlands
There was a huge variety of things to be learned at RCOY as the climate crisis is such a complex topic. I learned about the significance of conflict of interest in climate negotiations. For example, the increase in Carbon Capture and Storage which seems to be a popular buzz word these days is almost exclusively driven by fossil fuel industries. It is often used as a justification to continue operations instead of phasing out fossil fuels. This mirrors the tactics used by big tobacco to mislead the public. Just as the tobacco industry’s interests conflict with public health policies, fossil fuel interests conflict with climate policies. Thus, similar policies could address conflicts of interest in climate negotiations. Developing a framework for managing the conflicts of interest will be crucial in the success of future climate negotiations.
Greta Kämper
24, Germany & Austria
I learned at the workshop on CO2 Emissions that more awareness needs to be raised on the amount of CO2 emitted from our simple day to day activities depending on the tools we use, household appliances, where in the world they are manufactured etc. During this interactive session, it was found that not only are many people unaware, but there are also (perhaps even more) misconceptions on CO2 emissions. Overall, RCOY was an immensely educative experience and what stood out was the realization that we need to go out of our bubbles, this underscored the importance of community engagement and reinforced my belief that we all have the power to make a difference.
Patricia M. Longwani
25, Zambia & Luxembourg
While I try to stay quite informed when it comes to modern day topics such as climate change, I have no qualms admitting that I felt a rather lack of knowledge when it came to climate change policies between countries, specifically my own as well. I had realised that I had a much more general overview of the topic, and while nobody shamed me or made me feel judged, quite the opposite in fact, I still took it upon myself to erase that absence in my knowledge. I also learned much valuable information in the workshops when it came to conflict of interest caused by fossil fuel entanglement with the UNFCCC or even current policies in Eastern European Countries when it comes to climate change.
Moira Lako
18, Albania
It was great to see collective group of youth from across the region who are engaged in the climate action space at different capacities. This signals that we are not alone in our climate advocacy journey; there is a collective community through which we can support each other’s works. It was inspiring to hear from each of them on what they were doing and how they see about global engagements in the climate changes and as youth how can we be different.
John Paul Jose
27, Belgium
3. What is a fun fact you want to share from RCOY?
Due to the wide variety of countries represented by the delegates at RCOY, this allowed us to create a truly amazing cultural exchange experience. From sharing the ecological situation in the contexts of our states and the environmental risks we face in our regions during panel discussions or networking, to the lively conversations about our culture, national history and personal insights. The venue was filled with friendly talks, often in multiple languages such as French, Italian or German, and everyone had the opportunity to make new and lasting connections with like-minded people from all over Europe. Sounds fun, doesn’t it?
Viktoriia Barylovska
16, Ukraine
RCOY Europe represented a unique convergence of young minds from across the continent, each bringing their distinct cultural perspectives and innovative ideas to the table. I was mesmerized to see these many people from different backgrounds across Europe, with the same motive as I have. This diversity not only enriched the discussions but also turned the conference into a platter of sustainable solutions, showcasing environmental actions across Europe. I would put it as an exciting experience rather than fun as it changed my perspective in a lot of ways.
Lekshmipriya Nair
22, Germany
A fun fact from RCOY: While discussing climate funds and finance in a small group, I was amazed by Patricia’s knowledge. Later that day, I received confirmation that I was a representative for the constituency and the Standing Committee on Finance (SCF) in Bonn. Surprisingly, Patricia’s name was listed alongside mine! It couldn’t be more of a coincidence that this girl named Patricia is the same Patricia I met in Vienna during the small group workshop on assessing climate finance and the Loss and Damage Fund. It was a funny way of getting to know each other and already supporting each other for our upcoming days in Bonn.
Maxime Zadel
29, Netherlands
A fun fact from RCOY is that in one session, a survey revealed that 78% of participants regularly volunteer, compared to just 15% in the EU. While this statistic is not completely representative, it is still interesting. It is amazing to know that everyone is so engaged, but it also shows how unjust climate negotiations can be. We were very privileged to be able to attend RCOY and dedicate our time to this cause, a luxury not everyone has.
Greta Kämper
24, Germany & Austria
A fun fact from RCOY was that it was held at BOKU university, which is one of the best Life Sciences universities in Europe which prides itself in its commitment to sustainability and the science behind it. A bonus fun fact is that we had delicious vegan/vegetarian food.
Patricia M. Longwani
25, Zambia & Luxembourg
While I do not have a specific fun fact, I learned many fun facts from the participants’ lives which made RCOY that much more enjoyable and engaging.
Moira Lako
18, Albania
Initially it was hard to find the location to RCOY venue and as meeting for the first time many talked endlessly and missed stops more than once which led to going in the wrong direction. By following the google map, ended up in a cemetery, which had a big compound wall.
John Paul Jose
27, Belgium