We Are Family Foundation

The COP29 WAFF Youth Delegation’s mission is to advance youth-centric solutions for climate justice by empowering community voices and promoting inclusive, sustainable actions that protect ecosystems and advocate for those most impacted by climate change now and in the future: ???? Russell Reed, USA ???? Umazi Mvurya, Kenya ???? Italo Ribeiro Alves, Brazil ???? Doreen Michael, Tanzania ???? Pothunuri Laya, India ?? Will you be attending the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29)? DM us to connect and collaborate with the We Are Family Foundation (WAFF) Youth Delegation in Baku, Azerbaijan.

“By collaborating with global multistakeholder partners and empowering the next generation, we can help bridge the talent gap, foster climate resilience, and ensure that today’s youth are prepared to lead us into a more sustainable and inclusive future.” Thanks so much to SAP, We Are Family Foundation’s long-time strategic partner and Youth To The Table supporter, and Alexandra van der Ploeg for their unwavering commitment in our shared intergenerational leadership mission and for amplifying the #UniversalYouthClause campaign launched at COP29! https://lnkd.in/d-umM7FF?

OUT NOW: Mission Magazine shines the spotlight on YOUTH! We Are Family Foundation (WAFF) co-founders Nile Rodgers & Nancy Hunt are the guest editors of Mission Magazine Issue 12, The New Order, now available in digital format and arriving at newsstands soon. The impact-driven issue celebrates the power of youth — the cornerstone and heart of our work at WAFF. We loved spotlighting our?WAFF?Youth Leaders?championing their generation's voice?in solving our planet's greatest problems, along with other courageous activists, artists who challenge our perceptions, and of course a new wave of musicians changing the game. Massive thanks to the Mission Magazine team and all the contributors who helped make this happen!?Read the complete issue here: https://lnkd.in/ePngD8zP #WeAreFamily

From Indigenous leaders to ministers, spanning Europe, Africa, and The Americas, diverse voices are uniting for urgent intergenerational climate action! During our session at the UK Pavilion, the UK announced its commitment to the Universal Youth Clause — pledging not only to sign but to collaborate alongside We Are Family Foundation and others to implement this work and uphold accountability. Catch the full session featuring all our incredible speakers via the link in comments! ???? Rt Hon Ed Miliband, UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero ???? Russell Reed, Conservationist & WAFF Lead Delegate ???? Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, President of the Indigenous Women & Peoples Association of Chad ???? Umazi Mvurya, Indigenous Advocate & WAFF Lead Delegate ???? Italo Ribeiro Alves, UNICEF M&E Specialist & WAFF Youth Delegate ???? David Saddington FRGS, UK Head of International Climate Strategy, COP Engagement and Governance & WAFF UK Trustee DM us if your government is ready to join the movement ?? ??

Today, the UK was the first government to officially announce they are integrating the #UniversalYouthClause into their ambitious new NDC! In true intergenerational spirit, Rt Hon Ed Miliband, UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, made the exciting announcement as part of the “Our Shared Legacy” event co-hosted by the We Are Family Foundation Youth Delegation at the COP29 UK Pavilion (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero). As we look towards the February 2025 submission deadline for updated climate plans, we encourage governments across the world to follow the UK’s commitment to fostering leadership across generations and adopt the #UniversalYouthClause for meaningful youth inclusion in climate action. Learn more & join the movement initiated by We Are Family Foundation, Care About Climate, and #Groundswell at universalyouthclause.org. ?? Ciara Judge

After the UK announced their high-ambition national climate action plan during the first week of COP29, We Are Family Foundation (WAFF) Youth Delegates are now coming together with cross-sector leaders to explore how young people can support the effective realization of these commitments across the world. Join us for the intergenerational conversation in-person at the COP29 UK Pavilion or watch the livestream from anywhere in the world here: https://lnkd.in/eCGGRRc9

?? Decolonizing Knowledge on Climate (Im)mobilities at COP29! Did you know that by 2050, over 200M people may be displaced by climate change — and yet 85% of those in high-risk areas won’t move due to social, economic, and political barriers? This is the reality of climate (im)mobilities, a challenge deeply affecting the Global South. But here’s the problem: over 80% of research on this topic comes from European institutions, missing critical perspectives from the Global South. Join us for a powerful session at the COP29 Youth House led by youth changemakers in climate (im)mobilities! Together, we’ll explore evidence-based solutions through decolonial, feminist, and environmentally just approaches: ??? Lauren Grant, Beyond Climate Collaborative & International School on Climate Mobilities ??? Italo Ribeiro Alves, WAFF Youth Delegate, PhD Student & UNICEF M&E Specialist ??? Rabeb Aloui, YOUNGO Climate Migration Working Group ??? Crispus Mwemaho, Abayuuti Climate Action Network & Kampala climate cafe Let’s rewrite the narrative together!

We're talking about CLIMATE AMBITION in Baku. At the UK Pavilion, we celebrated bold new NDC announcements from the UK and Brazil, unveiled the #UniversalYouthClause, and explored the critical question on everyone’s mind: How can we achieve more ambitious climate action? The live Outrage + Optimism podcast episode featured powerhouses from across sectors, including: ?? Host & Global Optimism Founder, Tom Rivett-Carnac ???? UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband ???? Secretary for Climate Change, Ministry of Environment of Brazil, Ana Toni ?? Conservationist & WAFF Lead Delegate, Russell Reed ?? UN Climate Change High-Level Champion, Nigel Topping, CMG ...and more! Huge thanks to the UK Pavilion (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero), Tom Rivett-Carnac, and #GlobalOptimism for hosting this impactful discussion. Let’s keep the momentum going into week two! Listen to the full podcast here: https://lnkd.in/eSpjP-cj

Every generation has a crucial role to play in accelerating transformative climate action. At #COP29, we’re calling for governments to adopt the Universal NDC Youth Clause to champion intergenerational collaboration in their updated national climate plans. By adopting the Clause, governments will: ?? Appreciate that young people are important drivers of climate action ?? Collaborate with youth on the implementation of climate plans ?? Educate young people on climate change impacts and solutions Working across generations, we can build the climate solutions we urgently need to protect our planet for generations to come. Learn more about the Clause here: universalyouthclause.org Care About Climate We Are Family Foundation The B Team Climate Crisis Advisory Group Engajamundo Project Everyone Bezos Earth Fund C40 Cities Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) Loss and Damage Youth Coalition YOUNGO The Climate Reality Project Youth4Nature UNICEF UNESCO

November 2024 Opportunities for Young Changemakers & Youth Leaders ?? Opportunity: The NewNow, a One Young World program supported by Virgin Unite, empowers emerging young leaders to drive global change through systems-thinking and collective action. They are seeking 10 trailblazing leaders from the Global South with a proven commitment to creating systemic change. Eligibility: Ages 18-30 Deadline: December 1, 2024 Apply: https://lnkd.in/eeJ6fqG3 Opportunity: The Mountaintop International RIVET Fellowship offers young social innovators access to crucial early funding and resources to support their impact ideas. Fellows receive $500 grants for a 90-day project, virtual training in leadership and social entrepreneurship, access to a global community of youth changemakers, and mentorship from top social innovators. Eligibility: Young innovators ages 18-25 residing in NYC or Connecticut Deadline: November 15, 2024 Apply: https://lnkd.in/dndsBsFW? ? Opportunity: The Obama Foundation Scholars Program at Columbia University offers an immersive, fully-funded residential program in New York City for rising global leaders. Selected Scholars engage in an academic year of training (August 2025 to May 2026) to deepen their skills, expand capacities, and connect with a network of changemakers, all to amplify their impact in their home communities. Eligibility: Rising leaders from around the world with a demonstrated commitment to addressing community, country, or regional challenges Deadline: December 16, 2024 Apply: https://bit.ly/48IYNVP ? Opportunity: The Learning Planet Youth Design Challenge invites young people worldwide to pitch innovative learning programs for their dream university. Participants focus on themes of community engagement, well-being, and sustainability. Prizes include $1,000 for first place and $500 for second, plus mentorship for 12 finalists from global industry experts to help implement their ideas. Finalists will also present their programs at major education and social impact summits in 2025. Eligibility: Ages 15-26 Deadline: December 1, 2024 Apply: https://lnkd.in/em-tZEk2 Opportunity: The 2025 Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellowship, powered by Watson Institute, supports mobility-focused entrepreneurs in achieving product-market fit and scaling their innovations. This fully-funded program provides access to a global network, skill-strengthening training, and mentorship from experienced professionals, venture capitalists, and executives. Eligibility: Entrepreneurs focused on mobility and sustainability Deadline: January 12, 2025 Apply: https://lnkd.in/eztq9-jQ #WeAreFamily: Any other opportunities that all our changemaking youth leaders should know about? Drop the info here! ??