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News

Changemakers in action: oikees at COP29

This month we’ve seen the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) take place in Baku. It’s an important gathering of world leaders that sits them down around the question of Climate Change and its consequences. Putting the focus on Climate Change is crucial as it highlights the need to urgently take action. Despite the difficulties in agreeing on concrete actions and often debatable results, it puts the issue at the heart of global political discussions.

One of the most important contributions oikos can give its members is leadership development. Whether as part of our flagship LEAP Leadership Programs, joining the oikos International Board or simply engaging on projects at the local or international levels. We’re always excited to get a glimpse into their journeys as changemakers and feel proud that oikos had been part of it.

It’s to no surprise that this year we had the chance to see some of these young leaders be a part of COP29. Five recent oikos Alumni were on site in Baku, each in a different capacity, but united by a common vision of a sustainable tomorrow and the connecting thread of our Community.

Abdulbaki Ahmad, an Alumnus from oikos Kano and the 2023 oikos International Board Member was among oikees at the conference. He had a prominent role in joining panels with high-level speakers, representing the voice of youth and calling for its active inclusion and support from different actors in combating Climate change. Abdulbaki reflects:

“In my intervention, I emphasized the critical nexus of peace, climate change and the youth. I shared examples of the work we are doing back home to illustrate this connection and emphasized that youth cannot achieve these goals alone. I reiterated a point from my intervention at the Global Centre for Climate Mobility: that youth integration must be meaningful and not tokenistic.”

Abdulbaki Ahmad speaking at a panel at COP29

Elena Müller, an oikos St. Gallen Alumna, the 2022 oikos International Board member and a LEAP graduate attended COP29 as part of the delegation of Generation Climate Europe – a network with the mission of strengthening youth voices within the European Union. Elena was part of the team that hosted a conversation on the impacts of EU policies on the case of Mozambique.

Zvezdana Božović who is an oikos Belgrade Alumna and a LEAP graduate joined COP29 as a member of the Youth Delegation of Serbia. In this capacity, she not only represented her country but also got the opportunity to connect with fellow young leaders from other countries. Similarly, Anna Kurth, an oikos St. Gallen Alumna, oikos International 2022 Board Member and a LEAP graduate also represented her home country of Switzerland as a member of its Climate Youth Delegation. Both of them being a part of the same LEAP cohort makes it even more special! Alongside all those actively involved in the core of the conference, many inspired young leaders attended it on their own. Turana Alieva, an oikos Baku alumna, was also in attendance as the conference visited her home city, and took the opportunity to actively engage with important topics from an audience perspective.

As a student-led organization, we have a vision of a future where our Alumni and LEAP graduates embrace their leadership roles and represent the voices of students, youth, and everyone else, standing side by side in the all-important fight for a sustainable world. These are only some of the many oikees who walk the talk and take an active role in driving change every day!