This was a statement written for “Recovering Better Together: Youth Choice” a #YouthChoiceWed virtual event coordinated by UN Youth Envoy’s office for World Environment Day that brought together young activists to debate with the UN for a green post-COVID19 recovery. The event was chaired by Ireland and the Marshall Islands. The statement delivered by the youth reps in the video below were written by our Jo-Jikum interns Jae Marie Mae Digno, Frank “Chase” Domnick, Jollia Peter, and Jobod Silk, along with Youth to Youth in Health and Brighten the Rainbow representative Anfernee Kaminaga. It was also written with support from RMI Climate Envoy and Jo-Jikum Director Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner, RMI Climate Envoy Tina Stege, Jo-Jikum Youth Board Representative Carlon “Jajok” Zackhras and youth representative Bertine Lakjohn. This was filmed by the College of the Marshall Islands Media Club and Communications Officer Yone Wase. Special thanks to Minister-in-Assistance Christopher Loeak for supporting this video, providing the introduction, and giving the floor to our youth to speak.
Full statement script:
Minister Loeak:
My name is Christopher Jorebon Loeak. I represent the Government of the Marshall Islands as Minister-in-Assistance to the President and Minister of Environment. On behalf of President Kabua, the government, and the people of the Marshall Islands, I would like to present a warm iokwe and greetings to the government leaders, civil society representatives, and youth that have joined this event. The Republic of the Marshall Islands recognizes the importance of youth involvement in the decision making process for issues such as climate change and covid. We demonstrated this through the Kwon Gesh pledge, calling for governments to sign on to incorporate youth meaningfully into government processes on climate change. Recognizing the importance of youth voices, I would now like to recognize some of our youth from the Marshall Islands, who will share some of their perspectives with you all today.
Jae Marie Mae Digno (Jo-Jikum): Youth representatives must be made part of the decision-making process in regard to covid responses because they must have a say in what will impact their future. If voices of future leaders of our nations go unsaid, unheard, and disregarded, how can they be reassured that they will be taken care of in dire times like this. Allow the youth audience to have a seat at the table so they may have the opportunity to voice out their concerns and share their ideas of strategies that they believe will ensure their future. Let’s listen to them.
Frank “Chase” Domnick (Jo-Jikum): Here in the RMI, our youth led in local efforts such as a Tiktok Challenge, a hand-washing video, and a quarantine video. These local efforts presented by the youths help spread the awareness of COVID-19.
Jollia Peter (Jo-Jikum): As youths, we see that students both here and abroad are being affected by COVID-19. These issues are not just issues experienced and specific to the RMI but worldwide issues. For example, students studying abroad are being stranded, some far from their homes. Students, including those abroad, are also facing times of increasing financial difficulties. Because of COVID-19, we see the severity of some challenges that our fellow youths face. We recognize these issues and request that students here in the RMI, as well as those studying abroad, and from all over the world be prioritized.
Jobod Silk (Jo-Jikum): Although covid is still a big problem around the world today, it is important that we don’t lose sight of our fight against climate change. The RMI is one of the nations suffering greatly impacted climate change, and should we fail to do something about it during this pandemic,by the time it dies down, we will still be affected. Because of quarantine, carbon emissions in bigger countries have decreased. This shows that when faced with a crisis, the world is capable of reducing carbon emissions. We need to make people realize that climate change is as big of an issue as covid.
Anfernee Nenol Kaminaga (Youth to Youth in Health and Brighten the Rainbow – both are Marshall Islands non-profit organizations): The Marshall Islands is still threatened by climate change no matter the status of COVID-19 and we have to remember we, the Marshallese people, who have thrived off of the land given to us by our ancestors just sits 2 meters above sea level. We must recognize that climate change has become the oppressor and that we will not compromise without a fighting chance. We, the Marshallese, stand in solidarity with black, brown and indigenous voices calling for change. With climate change already in effect our chances of survival are threatened to a greater extent and we ask to not be forgotten in your steps towards healing your community as well as ours.
