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Camila Arglo Godinho
Age: 24
Country: Brazil
Your current project(s):
I am coordinating an International Observatory on Sustainable Development, where we monitor the Brazilian initiatives/projects/actions/policies towards sustainability and the GEO for Youth Brazil, a project developed by the UNEP Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean to give youth an opportunity to showcase what they think about their environment and what projects they are developing in this area.
How do you participate?
I am part of a youth NGO called Interagir (www.protagonismojuvenil.org.br). There we develop different projects related to youth participation and youth engagement on decision making processes. I am also part of the State Youth Council on the Environment, a group of youth that works with the Ministry of Environment and other organizations on how to engage youth in their projects/activities. I am also part of the UNEP TUNZA Youth Advisory Council (www.unep.org/tunza/youth) and the Latin American Youth Community (www.claj.org.mx). I am also hired by the Faculdades Jorge Amado, a college where I coordinate the research group called "International Observatory on Sustainable Development". Besides participating through all those groups, I am also part of many virtual groups such as the UNCSD Youth Caucus.
When did you start?
For about 10 years I studied in a school that has a lot of social programs. Since I was 9, I participated in activities to enhance the quality of life of children with HIV/AIDS and poor communities. When I entered university (I was 18 then), I realized that my participation would have a greater impact if I worked among the decision makers. I started to participate in national, regional and international meetings, and continued working with local communities.
Why is youth participation important?
Because we need to be able to express our ideas and thoughts and interfere positively in the sustainability of our society. We are also going be the leaders in the near future, and participating actively in the present we ensure that we are going to be more prepared when we need to make decisions that will have a greater impact on society. Participating I feel that I am contributing to generate some change. Sometimes I wonder what is the impact of my participation, but at the same time I think about the children that I want to have and the world I want them to live in. My participation is important not only for me but for everyone around me, and to all those that I can touch and "plant the seed of participation".
What can be done to promote more youth participation?
Our projects need to be recognized and funded! We need to be able to develop our work. There should be an international publication with all youth organizations and projects -- like an index. That way youth around the world will know how to find each other. Youth also need to know what they can do! We need the information to be spread out!
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