Voice of the youth: UN representative fighting for biodiversity
World leaders are gathering this week for the Biodiversity Conference in Montreal, a topic that has been standing in the shadow of climate change. The Dutch UN Youth representative for Biodiversity Evi Vet (25) wonders if ministers will finally realise that this topic is just as important. She is eagerly awaiting the signing of a biodiversity accord at this conference, something she has been working on while in this position. As she passes the baton after 2 years of this position, Evi reflects back on her work.
Evi studied plant sciences and obtained a master’s in nutrition and health. ‘’During my bachelor the topics were often about how we should improve our crops in genetics, so that our vegetables are resistant to climate change and pesticides,’’ Evi says. ‘’This felt as the wrong approach to me, as it is not really a solution but rather fighting symptoms.’’
One day an advertisement popped up on her Instagram, a vacancy to apply as a UN youth representative on biodiversity and food. ‘’I enrolled; it spoke to me immediately.’’ An extensive selection process with multiple rounds followed. Finally, she was selected for the role. There are two Youth Representatives in a team who are tasked with a specific theme. Biodiversity has not been a separate theme so far. ‘’When I started with my colleague, it was the first time there was a special representative team on biodiversity.’’
“Youth participation is not just about a young person sitting at the table. It’s about thinking of the future generation, and how our actions of today will impact them.”
Reaching young people
‘’On the one hand our work consists of finding out what young people think of this theme and translate their thoughts and concerns to the people who can actually do something about it. The other side is establishing effective youth participation, in which we try to get young people a place at the table.’’ That is not necessarily pertaining to people hailing from the West, but also young people from the Global South who are often underrepresented. ‘’It can always be better, but the Netherlands is actually on the right track with youth participation, there are 8 youth representatives who work on different themes. Whilst comparing with other countries from the Global South, I saw very few young people present at the meetings and as part of delegations. In the end, youth participation is not just about a young person sitting at the table. It’s about thinking of the future generation, and how our actions of today will impact them.’’
The position of UN Youth Representative has a separate mandate, independent from the government. ‘’So, we have a bit more freedom to speak out and say things that come from young people and not from the government.’’ Evi and her colleagues set out to reach young people, and tried to connect them with the theme of biodiversity. ‘’The theme is far less known than climate change.’’ When Evi was speaking in guest lectures in schools about biodiversity, she noticed little response or knowledge about the subject. ‘’I asked: why do you go on holiday? To see different landscapes, eat different foods, they replied. This is also what biodiversity is: being able to eat diverse foods, experience varied nature and ecosystems.
What was quite special for Evi was being part of the Dutch delegation and travel to international conferences. ‘’I have experienced a few of such meetings, some of it online and some in real life. We celebrated 50 years of environmental policy in Stockholm and had a Sustainable Development Goals meeting at the head office New York. We traveled with 3 youth representatives to present the Dutch input, that was very special.’’ Now Evi is attending the COP 15 conference on biodiversity with great anticipation on the outcomes.
‘’But sometimes at such meetings I also felt that things were being told to the people who are already working on it, kind of preaching to the choir. I think it's important to try to reach that part of the population who isn’t active or concerned with the topic yet.’’ It’s also important that the significance of this topic dawns to the people in charge.
‘’Climate change has been more of a priority position for ministers than biodiversity. I wonder if many ministers will join us at the conference in Montreal. Ideally, prime minister Rutte should join us. Or our minister of Finance, because a lot of the negotiations are about finances, how much can we give.’’
Evi argues that in Europe we no longer have primeval nature. ‘’So, when we talk about protecting biodiversity, it is sometimes mainly about countries on the other side of the world. We as rich countries must be open to help them with money, knowledge and other resources. To make that happen, you need someone who can negotiate these matters. That is why I would like to see a minister who is responsible for development cooperation or finance present at such meetings.’’
Exciting for Evi and her colleagues is having an advisory role for a Paris agreement on biodiversity, which the Dutch delegation is negotiating on. ‘It is due to be signed at this conference. We’ve been working towards this for 2 years, so it is an exciting moment.’’ Working on such big developments can be painstakingly slow, and the actions might seem insignificant. ‘’We are trying to get some of the words in this agreement changed. Instead of reducing hazardous substances in the soil, we want to make sure that it becomes phasing-out of hazardous substances, meaning: stopping entirely.’’
Generation test
Another highlight for Evi has been the international generation test, which is about how policy takes future generations into account. ‘’We tried to get a generation test at the UN in New York that takes all generations into account, including the yet to be born. We held meetings to set up a platform that will investigate this.’’ People and businesses can then support this proposal. ‘’The ultimate goal is to have the generation test be standard within the UN. A youth office within the UN is now being set-up that possibly will deal with this theme.’’
If this generation test would become standard, it means that ‘’when you make policies, you’ll always think about the implications for future generations. If you do that, it can hardly be unsustainable.’’ Though Evi says that it shouldn’t become a law and bureaucratic. ‘’We want it to become a thought process that happens automatically while you're writing proposals.
Evi has been very happy to see that their work has been paying off. ‘’Though it is very difficult to change something on such a large level as the Dutch government or UN in those 2 years you have as a youth representative. And the impact you have an as a youth representative is almost more on individual contact with young people.’’
She enjoyed talking to young farmers, for example. ‘’And then representing their voices in places where I was allowed to go. That may feel small, all you've done is represent their voice. But I think you have to see it that way: just get the ball rolling. In fact, you constantly help to start or keep the balls rolling.’’
Who is responsible?
When talking about who should be in charge or is responsible for solving these problems, Evi says it is a combination of the different pillars of society. ‘’Largely, the opinion is that the government should be in charge, but that this will not succeed without civil society.’’ You need a support base from society. ‘’It is crazy to look back in history regarding new regulations that people were facing. People were firmly opposed to seat belts being introduced in cars.’’ Some opponents argued the decision to use a seatbelt should be personal rather than legal. A similar example can be found in the current discussions about regulation of smoking.
‘’Sometimes you’ll see that the movement originates from civil society, this is clearly visible with climate change. We must not underestimate the power of the civilians, the consumers. An important reason that companies are changing their ways is because there's consumer demand for sustainable production, for companies to be greener.’’ People might feel somewhat helpless, or pressured to become 100% climate conscious. ‘’But I think it’s important to realize that you don't have to be perfect as an individual. If you already do something once, like buying less stuff or choose not to fly to a destination, then you already contribute.’’
“I’ve decided to remain positive, in spite of what is happening around the world. For me, the only way to fight is to be hopeful.”
Hopeful
Looking back on the past 2 years, Evi says that she ‘’could not have dreamed how special this position was. The amount of people I have been able to speak to is amazing. I don't know if I'll ever be in a position where I can so easily get in touch with all these people in such a short time.’’
Traveling with a delegation and sitting between the state secretaries during bilateral talks, ‘’were such special moments to experience when you’re young. But connecting with young people was the most exhilarating, I think. So, it's a shame to have to end it now, but it's also good that someone new is coming in.’’
Looking forward, Evi says that she will probably remain an activist for this topic. ‘’The subject will always be close to my heart. I must say that I have noticed how cumbersome and slow the UN or Dutch Government is. You have to stay very positive in order to keep fighting. If you don't have enough feedback with young people, with the group that is still positive, then you get a cumbersome system of people who think we can't change it anymore. ‘’
But Evi says that she has decided to remain positive. ‘’Some people may say that is naïve, considering the catastrophic events that are happening. But for me, the only way to fight is to be hopeful. And I really am, it is not an act. Purely because nature is so resilient, you see very clearly that nature is eager to come back, if it is left alone. Giving a chance to grow, then it is really possible to turn back the destruction. It is becoming more and more difficult, but it is still possible.’’
Follow Evi Vet: @jongerenvertegenwoordigers | Photos by Zoë Jungmann
