Berlin

I arrived at the European Youth's coordination meeting in Berlin on the early afternoon of Saturday. We began the real work reviewing the Chair Person's Draft Negotiating Document to highlight what we felt were the key points to protect, change, amend or add to. It is around this document, this year's Commission on Sustainable Development, CSD-19's policy advocacy, will revolve.

During negotiations over the coming weeks will countries be able to add, modify and delete items and contents of paragraphs in the text. Through discussions, it is then intended that a consensus be reached and a final policy is adopted. It was really interesting to meet with Youth from all over Europe--most official youth delegates to discuss Environmental policy.

It was really worthwhile for us to go through the entire document, section by section to see if we wanted to protect (ie lobbying for the point to be retained), delete , modify or add items. 

In practical terms, this involved creating a matrix to facilitate our tracking of what we consulted on. Ben and I discussed how this could potentially form the concrete basis for our policy tracking during CSD-19. It was great that I went to Berlin as it really clarified what I would be doing at the CSD for me.

p.s Just incase you are interested in seeing what our matrix looks like....look at the pretty picture.

It was also great to reflect with the team in person about what thematic areas they were interested in and to meet the new youth delegates. I really feel that I will miss Florian (german) and Yves & Aurore (Belgium). But Johanna (Sweden), Felix (German) and Alice (Belgium) seem really nice. 

It was Lena's birthday that night and we all went to the Cabaret and explored Berlin by moonlight. It was fun. The German Youth Council had funded the entire weekend and so the youth hostel and our food was covered by them. This was really generous of them and I really had fun.

On Sunday, we strategised about the CSD, discussed things practically and then it was over. We had a bittersweet lunch and then I went to report my camera as stolen. I also met my friend Luise who I had not seen since secondary school. She took me to an amazing flea market, we sat on the grass near an outdoor karaoki drinking cups of the "best coffee in Berlin" which we had gotten from this room that was dominated by a coffee roaster / grinder and a tiny counter and eating currywurst.It was totally random how much we had reversed roles. We both had our same core personalities. But I had always expected her to grow up to be the radical political person but she seems to have mellowed. But she still has her amazing mind, curiosity and friendly spirit. Berlin was a really worthwhile trip.