Call for applications: Youth-led visions for a climate-secure Pacific
Background
Climate change increasingly risks Pacific security and sovereignty on land and sea due to sea level rise, a warming ocean, disaster, and displacement. These challenges are no longer the problems of the future– they are some of the largest risks of today. Addressing these challenges in the Pacific will require understanding and partnership between the leaders of today and the leaders of tomorrow. In building toward a better future, we are calling for perspectives from young people from Aotearoa New Zealand, Niue, the Cook Islands, and the United States on addressing interconnected climate and security challenges.
The Center for Climate and Security, with support from the U.S. Mission to New Zealand, is launching a call for video applications that answer the question: “What is your vision of a climate-secure Pacific?” Selected videos will be showcased as a part of a social media campaign and 6-8 winners will be invited on a fully-funded three-day trip to Wellington, New Zealand where they will have the chance to meet with policymakers, organizations, and community groups working on these issues and present their visions of a positive future. If you are selected, this program will help to build your public voice on climate risks and solutions and catalyze relationships between you and other like-minded young people around the world.
What is required?
A short video between 2-3 minutes in length, highlighting your vision of a climate-secure Pacific. Video applicants must be based in Aotearoa New Zealand, Niue, the Cook Islands, or the United States. Videos should contain three components: 1) An introduction. Please use this exact format: Hello (or alternative greeting). My name is [insert first and last name] and I am from [insert location]; 2) A short example of how climate change is impacting your community’s safety and security; 3) Your vision of a climate-secure Pacific. This should include a description of this positive future world as well as at least one action step required to achieve this future.
What are the benefits?
Selected videos will be featured on the IMCCS and Council on Strategic Risks websites and social media channels and shared with senior policymakers at the U.S. Mission to New Zealand. The top 6-8 entries will be eligible for an honorarium of $500 for their work and will be invited on a three-day fully-funded educational trip to Wellington, New Zealand where they will have the chance to meet with policymakers, organizations, and community groups working on these issues and present their visions of a positive future. Applicants will have the opportunity to continue to engage in a climate security network as part of a young professional network of the International Military Council on Climate and Security (IMCCS).
Who is eligible?
Anyone between the ages of 18 and 30 who is from or living in Aotearoa New Zealand, Niue, the Cook Islands, or the United States. What is the timeline? Video submissions are due by March 1st, 2024. Contest winners will be selected and notified in mid-April 2024. Winners will travel for a convening in Wellington, New Zealand for three days in July 2024.
How to submit
Video submissions will be collected using this Google Form. To submit your video, you will need to first upload it to Google Drive. Instructions for uploading and sharing a video on Google Drive can be found here. Please ensure that the video can be accessed by anyone with the video link, or we may not be able to review your submission.