BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE AND CROSS-REGIONAL YOUTH MOVEMENT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

The document is a zine detailing a cross-regional exchange between youth activists from Africa and Europe. It focuses on dismantling systemic oppressions like patriarchy and colonialism, challenging visa injustices that hinder Global South participation in climate governance, and promoting intergenerational learning within the environmental justice movement.

• The project utilized popular education methodologies and specific learning tools to address systemic inequalities. The 'Cross-Regional Timeline' tool was used in Durban, South Africa, to explore "colonial history and modern day connections" and the "historical inequalities still at play between the two regions". Another tool, 'Pillars of Support', was used in Amsterdam in 2018 to analyze and "dismantle patriarchy in our organisations".
• Youth activists identify a lack of mutual listening and the imposition of Global North ideas on the Global South as drivers of current climate chaos. This includes the tendency of "'developed' nations [to] impose their ideas over indigenous knowledge of 'developing' nations" and the failure to heed "Mother Earth’s viewpoints".
• In Liberia, young people in rural areas face marginalization and are often viewed as "rebellious by the elders and authorities", particularly regarding decisions on land and natural resources. Additionally, the government uses a strategy of giving "lucrative positions in the government" to strong young activists to slow the progress of the environmental justice movement.
• The document highlights a severe disparity in freedom of movement, describing "Fortress Europe" as a barrier to climate action. In July 2017, only 3 out of 7 African participants were issued Schengen visas for a meeting in Brussels. The authors argue that restricting the movement of people from the Global South "undermine[s] the value" of international climate talks like COP 23 and 24 when they are held in Europe.
• Environmental injustice is presented as a global issue affecting both developing and industrialized nations. In South Africa, "Cancer Valley" is cited as an area where oil refineries cause respiratory problems and cancer. Similarly, in Norway, the Førdefjorden case is used to illustrate how foreign companies can destroy local fishing, agriculture, and tourism while failing to create promised local jobs.
• Intergenerational work is framed as a necessary balance between the "optimism and energy" of youth and the "depth and consistence" of older activists. The groundWork Environmental Justice School in South Africa serves as a platform for this learning, helping youth gain a "deeper understanding of power".

APA

Friends of the Earth International (n.d.). BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE AND CROSS-REGIONAL YOUTH MOVEMENT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE. https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Building-an-inclusive-and-cross-regional-youth-movement-for-Environmental-Justice.pdf

Chicago

Friends of the Earth International. BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE AND CROSS-REGIONAL YOUTH MOVEMENT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE. n.d. https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Building-an-inclusive-and-cross-regional-youth-movement-for-Environmental-Justice.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Friends of the Earth International |title=BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE AND CROSS-REGIONAL YOUTH MOVEMENT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE |url=https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Building-an-inclusive-and-cross-regional-youth-movement-for-Environmental-Justice.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{friendsoftheearthinternationalndbuilding, author = {{Friends of the Earth International}}, title = {{BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE AND CROSS-REGIONAL YOUTH MOVEMENT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE}}, institution = {Friends of the Earth International}, url = {https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Building-an-inclusive-and-cross-regional-youth-movement-for-Environmental-Justice.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }