Fresking at COP28
At the end of last year, a small team of Freskers went to COP28 to try and raise awareness of the importance of climate action at the conference, build fruitful partnerships, and contribute to the local community of climate organisers.
Fresk, fresk, fresk...
Freskers stepped up to the challenge at COP28 with contagious enthusiasm and a glimmering desire to make a difference and build relationships.
In events of this kind, the most effective tool for capturing the attention of audiences is the first set of the workshop. Freskers approached hundreds of people with the seven cards to present Climate Fresk and demonstrate that they might not have a systemic understanding of climate issues. While it wasn’t always feasible to organise workshops immediately, international organisations were connected with country coordinators through this approach, promising fruitful collaborations in the coming months.
While running lots of workshops wasn’t their primary aim, the team organised some workshops and trainings in several different languages. 62 people took part in workshops in English, French, Spanish and Arabic. Six facilitator’s trainings later, and there were 36 new facilitators raring to carry the flame back to their respective countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Guinea, Papua New Guinea, Guatemala and Suriname.
A highlight was seeing a 15-year-old lead her first workshop right off the back of her training. She was inspiring and dynamic, which reminded us that youth isn’t just the future, it’s the present too! Of course, though, they are not the ones who wield the most political power today, so we still need to raise awareness of climate issues with current decision-makers and spur them into action.
Bring local communities together and establish connections internationally
Such an event in their territory provided a unifying objective for the local communities of Freskers. The presence of Freskers from other countries also significantly contributed to the enrichment of their knowledge, but above all, to the sense of belonging to the global community of Climate Fresk.
More good news came from the organised sessions, as four local facilitators managed to pass their green belt! Well done to Suzanne Van den Briel, Corona Fontana-Arnaldi, Mia Tahan, and Charlene Nawar! Amazing work!
Commitment transcends borders, especially when it comes to the fight against climate change. During the COP, Freskers’ T-shirts made them clearly identifiable as such, meaning that other Freskers from around the world would come and say hello! Notably, the YOUNGO delegates from Kyrgyzstan and a Brazilian YOUNGO delegate who was carrying his « O Mural Do Clima » cards with him!
Supporting the need for climate education for all
Climate Fresk took part in conferences organised in the France, Bulgaria, and Children & Youth pavilions. These events were key places to highlight the crucial importance of climate education at different levels of society. The team shared its expertise alongside other organisations, joining forces to strengthen awareness-raising initiatives.
A person from the Federated States of Micronesia, which comprise numerous islands highly vulnerable to disappearing due to rising sea levels, emphasised the seriousness of the lack of awareness and education on these issues.
The determined and diverse team set out to advocate for climate education as the basis for global climate action, to create links with international institutions, and to support the local community of Freskers. And they accomplished all this with great enthusiasm and joy. Success!