International Conference and POP Festival for Youth-Led Climate Action, 2021

POP FESTIVAL 2021

The International Conference and POP Festival for Youth-Led Climate Action is the POP Movement’s annual flagship event and platform for the youth who strive to build conviction on the dire need to mobilize action and build a social movement for combating the issue of climate change and environmental degradation. This platform seeks to be a diversity-friendly space where stakeholders from across spectrum assemble to share their innovations, solutions, and actions to combat the threatening issues of the environment.

Visit the POP Festival webpage to learn more about the annual, flagship event of the POP Movement.

The International Conference and POP Festival for Youth-Led Climate Action, 2021 will take place during JUNE 5-10, 2021. In addition to the global festival event, this year, specific days of the festival will be dedicated to “Celebrating Youth and Amplifying Regional Voices” from the United States; Mexico and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC); and Africa and the Middle East through sub-festival events.

The goals of the respective sub-festival events are as follows:

Goals of the POP Festival - USA 2021

  1.  Step-up youth-led efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote renewable energy, and an adaptive capacity to climate change impacts by amplifying diverse voices and action.
  2. Showcase sub-national efforts to integrate climate change measures into policies, strategies and planning and engage youth and the most vulnerable communities in the process.
  3. Demonstrate institutional capacity and action to improve climate education and strengthen resilience in school and university settings, while promoting meaningful youth participation.

Goals of the POP Festival - Mexico and Latin America and Caribbean 2021

  1. Showcase youth- and community-led action to Protect Our Planet and demonstrate and amplify successful models within the region.
  2. Promote the exchange of local knowledge and develop capacities, while encouraging sustainable living across Mexico and the LAC region.
  3. Encourage cross-sectoral and cross-generational learning and collaboration for finding solutions to address climate change.

Goals of the POP Festival - Africa and Middle East 2021

  1. Identify community actions and solutions being implemented in the Africa and Middle East region.
  2. Support networking and cross-learning of climate actions, solutions, and challenges faced in the region and how to overcome them.
  3. Amplify the voices of young people and communities from across the region and inspire them to take action and promote local leadership for peace and sustainability.

Overall Goals of the International Conference and POP Festival for Youth-Led Climate Action, 2021

  1. Advocate for youth-led climate action in the US, Mexico and LAC, Africa and the Middle East and globally.
  2. Amplify the voices of youth, communities, and stakeholders and promote cross-sectoral, cross-country, cross-regional, and intergenerational exchange, learning, and collaboration.
  3. Celebrate the showcasing of climate action and coming together as a global community to lead change for a safe and sustainable future.

Expected Outcomes

  1. Bring together countries from around the world in a global effort to address climate change.
  2. Engage all leading sectors, players, and multiple generations in collective action to tackle climate change and mitigate its impacts.
  3. Highlight and showcase solutions to unique environmental challenges across geographies and communities and support cross-sharing and collectivization through the amplification of voices.
  4. Reach over 2 million youth and communities, including minorities, indigenous, tribal communities, and stakeholders via social networks, sessions, events, and activities embraced by the festival.
  5. Build capacities of youth and partners through multiple sessions and workshops throughout the week long event.

The Festival will cover a range of issues, including, but not limited to:

  1. Ocean conservation
  2. Marine pollution
  3. Blue and green economy
  4. Environmental justice
  5. Food security
  6. Human health and sustainability
  7. Clean energies and energy efficiency
  8. Sustainable transport
  9. Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
  10. Sustainable consumption, lifestyles, and habits
  11. Water management
  12. Waste management
  13. Sustainable food production
  14. Ecosystems and biodiversity
  15. Science, technology, and innovation
  16. Climate change
  17. Environmental education
  18. Plastic and other forms of pollution
  19. Role of and issues faced by indigenous communities
  20. Importance of the circular economy

The festival will engage all sectors of society, including:

  1. Young people and youth networks
  2. Marginalized and vulnerable communities
  3. Governments at national and sub-national levels
  4. Indigenous communities
  5. Universities and educational institutions
  6. Parents and families of youth
  7. Artists, media, and filmmakers
  8. Civil Society
  9. Private sector and businesses
  10. Researchers, scientists, and academica

Who can participate?

The International Conference and POP Festival for Youth-Led Climate Action, 2021 will be conducted in collaboration with partners (FXB-USA, names to be inserted).

If you consider yourself a young innovator and/or a changemaker, SUBMIT your project/initiative to present at the Festival!

The event, while youth-focused, is open to ALL, including scientists, academics, business people, and government leaders.

How can you be engaged?

  • As a presenter: if you have a running project or have one in mind waiting to be implemented, submit your project, workshop, and/or idea through the APPLICATION PORTAL before 23:59 EST on March 30, 2021 (http://timezoneconverter.com)
  • As an attendee: book your slot as an attendee through the pre-registration and engage in a festival of innovation, knowledge sharing and collaboration for climate action.
  • As a volunteer: support the planning and execution process of POP Festival 2021 by contributing your time and effort and learning in the process. APPLICATION PORTAL before 23:59 EST on March 30, 2021 (http://timezoneconverter.com)
  • Donate financially to support the cause of POP Festival 2021
  • Become a partner! If you wish to partner with us or explore other forms of engagement and collaboration, write to us at: popfestival2021@thepopmovement.org

Award and Recognition Categories - POP Stars 2021

During the closing ceremony, the POP Movement will award and recognize participants and projects that excel in different areas. All the awardees will be offered 6 months of mentorship by the POP Movement. All awards will be based on detailed evaluation by an international evaluation committee with extensive experience on a range of climate-related subjects.

The award categories are as follows:

Outstanding Project Award (applicable to USA; Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean; Africa and the Middle East; and Global) for,

  • Community engagement
  • Education
  • Inclusivity
  • Nature-based solution
  • Best solution aligned to the 2030 Agenda
  • Academic merit
  • Scientific diplomacy
  • Most impactful solution
  • Best implementation
  • Best overall project

Special Recognition and Certificate of Appreciation (applicable to USA; Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean; Africa and the Middle East; and Global)

-  Water conservation

-  Land conservation

- Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean:

    • Indigenous project/project focused on indigenous communities
    • Regional development
    • Most innovative project

- USA:

    •   Activism and lobbying
    •  Inclusion of Indigenous Americans
    • Technological development solution
    • Youth inspiring by knowledge sharing

- Africa and the Middle East:

    •  Regional collaboration
    •  Grassroots leadership
    •  Advocacy
    •  Environmental leadership

- Global:

    • International Collaboration
    • Global Challenges
    • Technological development solution

Champion Participant Award - will be awarded to attendees who join the most sessions and participate meaningfully and actively during the Festival event.