elissasmith.ca

Canada cannot live in isolation: our trade and security depend on our ability to cooperate, negotiate and interact globally. The economic interdependence of countries worldwide is growing and economic agreements increasingly reach into every part of our lives, yet most Canadians know little about the implications and consequences. There is a common perception that the current norms and laws of the international economic system bring disproportionate benefit to developed countries. Several United Nations and World Bank reports demonstrate that the gap between rich and poor is growing between countries and within countries. Studies done for the 10th anniversary of NAFTA show that Canadians’ standard of living is falling, that investment in our social programs is being reduced, and that more and more people are working part-time, insecure jobs with few benefits.

Photo: Elissa Smith on top of a fence in Hong Kong

Taking aggressive action on progressive policies that increase global economic equity will improve global living standards ensuring a secure and prosperous global community. Making progressive economic policies will protect the international reputation Canadians have earned for being generous, peace-promoting, fair players on the international stage. One way to make progressive economic policies is to raise culturally and internationally aware citizens.

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Hundreds of young people from all around the world attended the UN Conference on Climate Change in Montreal. ENvironment JEUneusse, the Sierra Youth Coalition and the Youth Environmental Network organized the“Beyond Kyoto – International Youth Summit” on climate change, bringing 100 youth together, 75 of which were not Canadian. The young people shared their experiences relating to climate change with one another and collaboratively created the “International Youth Declaration” on climate change it is available on Beyond Kyoto website in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Chinese and German. This declaration included what we as young people are committed to do, what we are demanding that governments do and our vision for the future.

Photo: Matthew Carroll

During the UN climate negotiations the declaration provided a vehicle around which young people could rally. It was endorsed by dozens of international organizations, and at the conference at itself, was adopted by the International Municipal Leaders Summit and was mentioned in the opening and closing addresses by the head of the conference. Yough groups organized daily newsletters, demonstrations inside and outside of the UN complex, and youth meetings open to all the youth at the conference.

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