Background

Climate security is one of the main challenges of the 21^st century. The subject has been rapidly moving up the political and economic agendas over recent years. The Stern Report on the Economics of Climate Change 2006 stated that 6⁰ C is a plausible estimate of how much world temperature could rise by the end of the century if greenhouse gas emissions go unchecked. This will, indeed, not only affect people’s lifestyles, but will also impact on their health and prosperity. As predicted by the report, over 200 million people worldwide are at risk of being driven from their homes by flood or drought by 2050.

Responding to the challenge, we establish Low Carbon Futures, the British Council’s global programme on Climate Change. The programme includes Climate Cool Asia, a climate initiative in the East Asia region which aims to build sustainable network of young people committed to taking personal action to limit the contribution they and society make to greenhouse emissions. The objective of this project is to encourage personal action to mitigate and adapt to the problems caused by climate change and global warming, and to project an image that to do so is “cool” and trendy and a crucial component in the lifestyles of young global citizens in East Asia.

As a first Climate Cool programme, in December 2007 we held Asian Young Leaders Climate Forum (AYLCF) which engaged 35 young leaders from 16 countries of Asia, Australasia and the UK. Conducted in Bogor, Indonesia, the programme facilitated the group to draw up a regional strategy to tackle climate change in East Asia. The resulting strategy and action plan was presented at COP 13, Bali. The feedback and support was unanimous in recognising the value of the AYLCF initiative. The unique value of AYLCF was firstly the focus on developing personal and community actions, secondly, the cross-sector approach covering media, government, education, community and corporate, thirdly, the importance given to capacity-building, and finally, the focus on mentorship through the establishment of links between young leaders and companies/organisations leading the way in tackling climate change. Lord Stern of Brentford (author of The Stern Review: The Economics of Climate Change) is both champion and mentor for Asian Young Leaders Climate Forum.

Building on the success of AYLCF and various initiatives involving the young leaders since then, we want to engage more young leaders in developing climate solutions. We need to identify good candidates with both leadership potential and commitment to climate change activities, to undergo appropriate capacity building, and be given access to information, resources and guidance. We also need wider corporate and other engagement in this process.

Project Management and Leadership Training

Project Management and Leadership Training is a part of British Council’s Climate Cool programme which aims to expand and strengthen the network of young leaders making a direct impact on their communities across the East Asia.

Project Management and Leadership Training is a capacity building programme consists of the leadership and project management skills training which will be delivered through presentations, workshops and cultural activities. The programme will be held in 24 to 29 August 2008 in Indonesia and gathering young leaders from Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.

Participants will come with project concepts as written in the online application form and the training will help them develop their concepts into workable projects. There is an expectation that projects will be implemented in their home countries on their return.

The objectives of the programme are:

• To share experience and views of the climate issues facing the region
• To undergo capacity building in project management
• To develop individual project proposals which are then submitted to the scrutiny of experts
• To learn how to develop successful bids.

Who can apply?

We are looking for young eco-visionary young leaders to participate in the CPMT. We do not just want enthusiastic young people or environmentalists. We want young leaders who will implement their plans, motivate others to join them and really make a difference.

Young leaders from across Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand representing the corporate, community development, education, government, media sectors are expected to take part. Below are some qualifications that we seek to find:

• Young people with the following nationalities: Indonesia, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan and Korea
• Age range 20-35
• Young influential people drawn predominantly from urban centres in the region and well educated.
• Articulate and connected (both in the IT sense and locked into particular communities).
• Well informed on Climate Security issues, international relations, and committed to aspects of the climate change debate, i.e. mitigation, adaptation and communicating behaviour change.
• Can be active in the climate change area, but preferably not environment specialists (who have their own specialist fora and channels).
• Preference given to the following categories; young politicians; young business leaders; journalists, young officials linked to climate change policy implementation; young lawyers, teachers, those engaged with community groups, other professionals and finally student leaders. All would have a track record in leadership and climate related activities
• Ideally able to communicate effectively and convincingly in English.

Please note that previous participants in AYLCF 2007 may not apply

Online application

The deadline of application is Sunday, 20 July 2008.

Please click here to fill the online application form

This program is presented by The British Council, in partnerships with CIFOR, WWF Indonesia, METRO TV, and The Jakarta Post