UNICEF Children Ambassadors

UNICF (United Nations Children's fund) brought 8 kids from all over the world, ages 15-18, to the COP15 conference in order for the greater community of the world to hear their voices, to see first hand how climate change effects them and their countries. The children came from places like Kenya, Haiti, Bangladesh and many other countries. We were able to hear, in a side event, how lives of many people are changing because of global warming "you could be on a beach one day and the next day that same beach would be gone" said Axam Maumoon, 15, of the Maldives.

In Haiti, tree planting has become more and more popular, with environmental education a push in the future. Kenya, after experiencing a 5 year drought, has started looking more at how they can reduce climate change. Zambia has been working more on getting girls educated and in school so they can know more about their impact on climate change. Countries large and small, both developed and under developed are doing everything they can on stopping and reversing climate change. A sound bite of Axam's speech will be posted once processed.

The first weekend

Friday, December 4th at 3:25 the plane to take us on our adventure departed. After about 11 hours of travel we arrived at the gates, welcoming us to denmark. we meet the two of the three Swedish teachers (who teach at our sister school in Landskrona Sweden) and they helped us get to the Bella center to get registered for COP15. The first thing you notice when arriving into a different country is that you feel immediately out of place and disconnected. You can't read the signs, you don't know the language and everyone can tell your American before you even speak. Culture shock is minimal, yet present. My first impression of the country makes me excited to know i'll be here for two weeks.

The minute our feet hit the ground at the train station, we met the Swedish students we will be staying with. My new home stay girl was at work and I had to go with another student until she was done. So off I went with Deon to her new home. the feed us a great dinner of baked cheese (very good) and delicious ice cream for dessert. After dinner a short nap then it was time t meet my home home stay host, Myriam. She was very nice, we talked some, but since it was late I went to bed so after meeting her.

The next morning we walked to the town square were we met the mayor if Landskrona. He welcomed us by giving us a book about Landskrona and a pin. After pictures we went to lunch at a small restaurant, then a tour of the castle. next morning we woke early to get to the bella center.

The bella center, where the conference is taking place will be like home to us soon, but today many people got confused and where disoriented. The first meeting we went to was a panel of 8 teenagers from around the world ( Zimbabwe, Maldives, and Kenya just to name a few) that was sponsored by UNICEF. It was inspiring to hear the stories these children had to tell. They informed us on what their country was doing to fight global climate change, and how spreading the word about climate change can help. The Maldives actually wants to be the the first carbon neutral country, and Haiti is planing to grow a wall of trees to help offset deforestation. The next meetings we will be going to are "YOUNGO", which will introduce us to being a youth delegate, and hopefully "Global Observatory-What is COP 15 all about?", which will have Global leaders explain the negotiations, issues on the table, and what's at stake.

By 5 we will be on the train, for an hour long ride back to our temporary home. the night will be filled with home work and studying more about COP15.