05 November 2020

A virtual national youth climate summit involving pupils from Reading is taking place next week.

Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) is one of the organisations supporting the event which aims to bring children and young people together from across the UK to demonstrate their commitment to tackling climate change.

The summit, starting on Monday 9 November, will run over five days with each day focusing on a different theme.

Topics will include nature, oceans and water; travel, pollution and waste; food, farming and forests, and fashion and consumption.

Prof Dr Kate Reynolds, Director of Education at BFfC, said: “We are proud to be supporting the Youth Climate Summit which is a brilliant way of bringing children and young people together from across the country to discuss this important issue.

“Brighter Futures for Children is also committed to working with Headteachers to help them engage pupils in this vital topic in their schools.”

Cllr Ashley Pearce, Lead Councillor for Education, said:  “The climate and ecological emergency facing the world is something many children and young people in Reading feel passionately about. I hope this summit helps unify the voices of young people across the UK to ensure their message is heard loud and clear.

“This week the council approved the Reading Climate Emergency Strategy 2020-25 and we need the support of the whole Reading community to help meet the ambitious targets set for the town.”

The Youth Climate Summit is co-ordinated by environmental charity Global Action Plan and more information about the week of webinars and activities can be found at: https://www.transform-our-world.org/youth-climate-summit-2020.

The summit coincides with Reading Climate Festival which is hosting many free events, including some aimed at Reading’s education community. Find more details at: http://www.readingculturelive.co.uk/genre/reading-climate-festival-genre/.