The Future of the Amazon: Science Panel for the Amazon Launches Youth Advisory Committee

[New York, USA, September 10, 2024] — The Science Panel for the Amazon (SPA), convened under the auspices of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), is proud to announce the launch of its inaugural Youth Advisory Committee (YAC). The YAC will be officially introduced during a special event titled “The Future of the Amazon: Launch of the SPA Youth Advisory Committee” on September 20, 2024, on occasion of the UN Summit of the Future in New York City.

This landmark event marks a new chapter in SPA’s goal to integrate youth leadership and perspectives into their work on Amazon's conservation and sustainability agenda. With 13 dynamic young scientists and leaders from countries across the Amazon Basin, the YAC will contribute to amplify the voices of youth in the region, bringing their energy, expertise, and innovative ideas to the work of the Panel. The YAC will work closely with the SPA to elevate youth perspectives and leverage their unique insights, contributing to the SPA’s initiatives to promote science-driven solutions and policies for the Amazon’s future.

Why It Matters: Youth at the Forefront of Conservation

As the first high-level regional science initiative dedicated to the Amazon, the SPA is committed to promoting sustainable development in the region through the synthesis of scientific knowledge and Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK). The establishment of the Youth Advisory Committee is a pivotal step in ensuring that the perspectives of young scientists and leaders, particularly those from Amazonian countries inform these efforts.

Engaging youth in science is essential for fostering innovation, creativity, and new approaches to conservation challenges. Young people are uniquely positioned to drive scientific advancements, especially when their work is informed by both scientific research and deep cultural ties to the Amazon. Empowering youth to lead in the scientific community not only ensures that the next generation of scientists is equipped to face environmental crises, but also brings fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that are necessary for tackling the complex issues affecting the Amazon today.

Young people are not just the future, but the present in the fight for conservation and sustainability. Their leadership is critical in safeguarding the Amazon's biodiversity and addressing the climate crisis. Youth bring fresh perspectives, innovative solutions, and a deep commitment to creating a sustainable and just world. Local youth, especially those with lived experience in Amazonian territories, play an essential role in shaping effective conservation strategies that respect both nature and the rights of Indigenous and local communities.

About the Youth Advisory Committee

The SPA’s inaugural Youth Advisory Committee is composed of 13 young people from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds, including representatives from Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Suriname, and French Guiana. This dynamic group includes 8 women, 5 men, and 3 Indigenous members, ranging in age from 20 to 30.

Event Highlights

The event will feature remarks from high-level speakers, including Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, President of SDSN, María Fernanda Espinosa, Former President of the UN General Assembly, Mr. Roberto Waack, Founding Member of Brazilian Coalition of Climate, Forest and Agriculture and Uma Concertação para a Amazônia, Dr. Marielos Peña-Claros, Co-Chair of the SPA, Emma Torres, SDSN Vice-president for the Americas and SPA Strategic Coordinator, and Beka Mundurku, Young Indigenous Leader and Member of both the SPA Strategic Committee and the newly constituted Youth Advisory Committee (YAC). Attendees will also hear from the inaugural YAC members, sharing their perspectives on the role of youth in conservation efforts.

Emma Torres, SPA’s Strategic Coordinator, reflected on the significance of this launch:"The establishment of the Youth Advisory Committee marks a pivotal moment for the Science Panel for the Amazon, as it strengthens our commitment to integrating the voices of young scientists and leaders from the Amazon region in the work of the Panel. Youth are not only the stewards of tomorrow, but active changemakers today. Their energy, knowledge, and connection to local realities bring invaluable insights that can inform strategies for conserving the Amazon and advancing sustainable development pathways."

After the formal session, a one-hour reception will follow, offering an opportunity to celebrate the launch of the Committee and for networking with the young scientists and leaders, as well as the speakers and audience members. The event will emphasize the critical role of youth in global conservation and sustainability efforts, for the Amazon, especially in the context of the UN Summit of the Future.

Join Us:

Be part of this momentous occasion as SPA celebrates the launch of its Youth Advisory Committee and supports the next generation of Amazon defenders. Register today to attend in person or virtually.

Date: September 20, 2024
Time: 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET, followed by a 1-hour reception
Location: Volvo Hall, Scandinavia House, New York City

In-person Attendance: Register Here
Virtual Attendance: Register Here

About the Science Panel for the Amazon
The Science Panel for the Amazon (SPA) is the first high-level science regional initiative dedicated to the Amazon. The Panel was established to make clear the scientific, economic, and moral case for conservation and address widespread deforestation, forest degradation, and wildfires that have intensified in recent years. Today, the Panel is composed of over 280 scientists who released the 2021 Amazon Assessment Report at COP26, which has been called an “encyclopedia” of the Amazon region. The SPA is convened under the auspices of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). Professor Jeffrey Sachs, the President of the SDSN, is the convener of the SPA, Ms. Emma Torres is the Strategic Coordinator, and Dr. Carlos Nobre and Dr. Marielos Peña-Claros serve as the Co-Chairs. Learn more: https://www.theamazonwewant.org/

Contact
Gabriela Arnal | gabriela.arnal@unsdsn.org
SPA Communications