Lao Youth Union, Save the Children International in Laos empowering children to change our climate future through the Young Climate Talk contest

In partnership with the Young Pioneer Department of the Lao Youth Union, Save the Children International in Laos is proud to announce the government’s endorsement of two young climate champions under the organisation’s climate agenda. This historic moment marks a significant step in empowering youth to take a proactive role in combating climate change.

The ceremony was honored to be attended and chaired by Ms. Pany Kindavong, Commissioner of the Lao Youth Union and Director of the Young Pioneer Department of the Lao Youth Union, along with Dr. Namrata Jaitli, Strategy, Programme Quality & Impact Director of Save the Children International in Laos. The two young climate champions emerged victorious from the climate talk contest conducted in July 2024. This contest was designed to inspire and empower young Lao nationals to become climate heroes, providing them with a platform to share their passion and plans for making a difference in their communities.

The winner of the first prize, a 14-year-old boy from Luang Prabang province, has experienced the effects of climate change firsthand. He expressed his concerns, stating, “The effects of floods not only destroy our learning environment but also harm students and teachers. In addition to the floods, this year was even worse due to extremely high temperatures. The heat completely disrupted our ability to focus on studying.” He also presented a plan to address climate change-related issues in his school, village, and community, aiming to transform the school into a climate-resilient institution. This plan seeks to protect students and reduce the number of dropouts caused by an unsafe environment.

The second prize winner, a 14-year-old girl from Vientiane, is committed to promoting solutions to the current climate change challenges by using various communication channels, including online social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok, as well as radio and television. her efforts focus on reducing litter and advocating for the use of cloth bags instead of plastic, with the goal of improving the environment in schools and communities.

To promote and encourage the two talented young individuals who won the competition, they will be awarded a grant to plan and organise campaigns that raise awareness about the effects of climate change. The purpose is to create social behavior change in schools and communities, serving as a voice for Lao children and youth affected by climate change. To continue activities on this topic, the Young Pioneer Department, the Lao Youth Union, and Save the Children International in Laos will continuously help prepare our young climate heroes to represent the voices of children and youth at national and international climate forums.