On 9 November 2021, members of our Youth Council, 17 year-old Alex Kennedy and 14 year-old Muhammed Amin were selected to take part in a panel event in the Green Zone at COP26 in Glasgow. The event, ‘The North West Presents: Talking About My Generation’ was put together by the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership and took place at the Glasgow Science Centre with a live audience, and was streamed globally.

Alex, along with fellow Youth Council member Emma Greenwood (selected to take part through her role as Bury Youth MP) represented youth voice in a panel discussion with the Metro Mayor of Liverpool, Steve Rotherham, and Metro Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham. The panel was hosted by the BBC News anchor Paul Masson.

Alex and Emma (both just 17 years-old,  Youth MPs, active politics college students and avid nature and climate campaigners) held their own on the global stage. Emma Greenwood challenged the two Mayors to create a youth commission across the North West of England to consult young people on the future of carbon reduction and nature’s recovery, and to hold leaders accountable. We are extremely proud of both young women for standing up and speaking up to those in positions of power to create a greener, wilder and fairer future. Not two days after this challenge it was announced that both Mayors have agreed to plan for a youth commission for the inclusion of youth voice in governance.

The host asked Alex why she studies politics rather than campaiging or joining Extinction Rebellion, and why she engages with official politics. In Alex’s own words:

“Activism and politics are essentially the same thing - activism is a branch of politics - you can’t have one without the other. Politics is a great way to influence policy makers. I do both, and as part of my work with Lancashire Wildlife Trust I take part in the conservation of wildlife and campaiging as it’s great for spreading awareness”.

Taking bold new steps

Muhammed was selected to read an original poem named 'Bygones' in between the two panels during the event. In his own words, “This poem is about our experiences in nature. It is a celebration of everything we love that brings us joy and happiness. But there is also sadness in these lines. For example, the image of dewdrops to me represents the world weeping for the loss of forests.”

Muhammed travelled with Lancashire Wildlife Trust staff and fellow Youth Council member Alex up to Glasgow, and told us this was the furthest he had travelled without family. Muhammed’s said:

“It was an honour to represent the LWT Youth Council at COP26. Participating in this landmark event for me was a spectacular highlight of the year. The educational technology and the sheer brilliance of the innovation on display was both dazzling and inspirational.

"This event was a reminder of the importance of the work we do to preserve and protect the environment, and the understanding that the real struggle to win hearts and minds has only just begun.”

We as Lancashire Wildlife Trust thank these brilliant young people for overcoming their nerves, travelling to new places and speaking so confidently, eloquently and most of all passionately about their work to help nature and the climate recovery plans.

Eleanor Lampard, our Youth Advocacy Officer, said:

“Seeing members of our Youth Council representing our organisation and advocating for other young people in our region on a globally important platform was incredible. Muhammed, Emma and Alex collectively and eloquently communicated the need for action and urgency in our fight towards natures recovery.”

Thank you to Our Bright Future, an innovative programme led by The Wildlife Trusts and funded by National Lottery Community Fund, engaging young people to make a difference to the environment and communities across the UK. Without their support opportunities like this would not be possible.

Meet the Youth Council