Fundraiser to Support Youth involvement in High level negotiations

Last night, I coordinated the event logistics for a 

Fundraiser to Support Global South Youth for Climate Change. The

goal of the event is to help empower youth from the global south in international climate negotiations by helping youth delegates attend and prepare for the UNFCCC COP16 conference in Cancun, Mexico from November 28 - December 10, 2010. I personally would love to attend the Climate Change negotiations in Cancun but the reality is that (like for most youth) it is probably going to be a distant dream. However, I can do my best to facilitate other youth who are being directly impacted by Climate change to make a difference and to advocate for change. Now. Not tomorrow.

Chris, Jamie and Claire

This event was hosted by Chris Bashinelli, Actor, Executive Director of Bridge the Gap TV. I grew up in Tanzania, therefore, I found his innocent videos particularly amusing but the cause is a worthy one and Chris appears to be a genuinely sweet and wonderful person. He is also one of the rare Wazungu that have actually bothered to try and learn Kiswahili. He impressed me greatly.

I was recently introduced to Ambassador Oscar de Rojas, Director of the Financing for Development Office UNDESA and

 Mr. Kola Badejo, Special Advisor of Africa of UN Global Compact

 through my work with South South News. They both attended the event as honored guests. This event was also attended by 

Ms. Afaf Konja, United Nations Correspondent for Press TC, 

Ms. Claire Buffie, Ms. New York 2010, 

Mr. Frank Ucciardo, CBS News Correspondent and 

Ms. Kaity Tsui, I love NY Greenest New Yorker. 

Despite a horrific thunderstorm, the event still raised over $1000. I hope Esperanza had an amazing birthday (same night).