Written by Tara Clark, participating in Qatar in Brussels
What brings a group of young people together? A story? A passion? Inspiration? You wouldn’t be mistaken for choosing all three. Being at Qatar-in-Brussels has given me as a young activist a sense of pride for my generation: we have the power to make real change.
Qatar-in-Brussels has defined how important it is to work as a network. Attending workshops with Young Friends of the Earth members all over Europe made it possible to share ideas, experiences and most importantly, skills to take action against powerful lobbying organisations. These organisations are jeopardising the progress of the negotiations happening at the climate talks in Qatar.
Taking the lobby tour with the Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) was defining moments to kick start the week in Brussels. CEO walked us through the city of Brussels pointing out buildings where large organisations such as BP and Shell held their offices. They told us about how much money the oil industry is pumping into protecting their brand and stopping any regulations that could potentially damage their business. The entire oil industry will continue to use its vast wealth, to escape regulation, restriction, oversight and enforcement.
Being part of People & Planet has giving me the opportunity to share the skills I have received while supporting university groups all over the UK. Qatar-in-Brussels has allowed me to share these skills with people from around the worlds, and more importantly has helped me learn from their experiences too.
Speaks for a generation, their future, enthusiasm, energy, anger.