News
British Council report highlights urgent need to include young people in climate change policy
*75 percent of young people around the world report having skills to deal with climate change in their communities – but 69 percent have never participated in climate action.
*Concern that voices of women and minority groups overlooked in current climate change policy.
*67 percent of young people feel leaders cannot address climate change alone. Consistent call for young people to be included in policy decisions
Young people around the world unanimously consider climate change to be the biggest threat facing the planet but many struggle to engage in meaningful action and have their voices heard, a British Council report published recently (on 9th September) has revealed.
The Global Youth Letter Report used a mixed methodology approach including crowdsourcing to garner the views, experiences and aspirations of 8,000 young people aged 18-35 across 23 countries – including Brazil, India, Kenya, Sri Lanka and the UK – about their perspectives on climate change. It found a strong, unanimous voice of young people on climate change across all 23 countries.
This research is part of the British Council’s Climate Connection programme, which aims to bring people around the world together to address the challenges of climate change. Research for the report was carried out between January and March 2021.
The findings from the report have been used to write a Global Youth Letter, a plan of action setting out young people’s aspirations and recommendations around climate change. The letter directly addresses the policymakers and world leaders who will attend the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in November.
25 percent of the young people surveyed globally, came from rural areas, which can be harder to reach, and 75 percent from urban areas. 55 percent of respondents were female. The report also heard from traditionally overlooked groups such as young people with disabilities, and those belonging to minority groups and indigenous communities.
67 percent of young people felt that their country leaders could not address climate change on their own. They raised concerns that the voices of women and minority groups were not reflected in current climate change policy.
The report found a consistent call for young people to be included in policy decisions. Young people felt that their involvement would ensure more innovative ideas for tackling climate change and would have a wider, more effective reach. The findings emphasised a clear need for policymakers to channel the passion and enthusiasm of young people in more practical and structured ways.
The report found that whilst young people are willing and keen to make meaningful contributions, many lack the opportunities to do so. 75 percent of young people reported that they had the skills to deal with climate issues in their communities and 63 percent said that they knew about the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). However, 69 percent said they had never participated in climate change action.
Some of the barriers to youth participation in climate action include limited digital access, hierarchical social cultures that exclude young people, and a lack of access to training and skills development.
The report also highlighted the role and potential of digital channels as a tool for young people to tackle climate change, although acknowledged that the ‘digital divide’ that sees some people excluded from accessing the internet must be taken into consideration.
Young people unanimously viewed social media as an important platform to share messages about climate change with their peers, countering disinformation and influencing those around them. For young people in remote areas without internet access, television and radio can provide them with information about climate change instead.
Young people are encouraged to sign the letter and pledge to tackle climate change, adding their own recommendations to be considered. The letter can be signed here: www.britishcouncil.org/climate-connection/get-involved/global-youth-letter
The Global Youth Letter was launched at a virtual event recently (on 9th September). Insights from the Global Youth Letter will inform ongoing discussions with policymakers in the run up to and during COP26.
The Global Youth Letter includes youth voices from Sri Lanka extracted from the ‘Perceptions of Young People on Climate Change and Action’ research study that was conducted with over 1000 respondents. In relation to youth perceptions, youth in Sri Lanka are generally aware of climate change but the majority does not have a technical understanding and detailed knowledge of it.
There is a significant interest among youth to learn more about climate change, and the majority believes to some degree that their opinions and actions on climate change will matter in the future. When it comes to making this change and engaging in climate action, emphasis was placed on education and showcasing successful practices as a tangible way to inspire and facilitate action. Sri Lanka’s youth believe in collective action for climate change and see it as a public responsibility, not an individual issue, highlighting the need for systemic changes and large-scale actions.
In both urban and rural contexts lack of access to knowledge resources, lack of tutoring and low engagement with government action were highlighted as barriers for youth engagement.
The UK will host COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, from 1 to 12 November. The British Council is supporting the UK government’s ambition for COP26 to be the most inclusive ever by using its global networks to inspire millions of people around the world to take action against climate change.
SLNS Samudura on 27 Apr 25 set sail from the Port of Colombo to Changi, Singapore to join the International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX) Asia 2025, Asia Pacific’s leading naval and maritime defence event.
The vessel was ceremoniously sent off from Colombo, following traditional naval customs.
IMDEX Asia 2025 is set to take place from 05 to 08 May 25 featuring cutting-edge advancements in naval technology and the event will conclude with a special warship display.
The 9th International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC) will take place alongside the exhibition, featuring high-level discussions on evolving maritime security challenges in an era of geopolitical uncertainties.
Naval forces and maritime representatives from multiple nations are set to take part in the upcoming IMDEX Asia 2025 and IMSC. Taking part in this nature of naval and maritime defence events would open new avenues to the Sri Lanka Navy to build inter-operability with regional and extra-regional partners, exchange best practices and procedures in maritime operations and identify new challenges in maritime domain.
News
The NPP government has removed the political protection given for corruption and crime in the past – PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the current government has removed the political protection that existed for corruption and crime for the past seventy-five years.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing public gatherings held on Sunday (27) in Suriyawewa, Hungama, and Tangalle in the Hambantota District.
Addressing the gatherings, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:
“We have ended the political protection that existed for seventy-five years providing shelter for corruption and crime. There no longer exists any protection for those public-hostile acts of corruption and crime. When we first started this, there were groups within the public service and even within the security forces who were scared and unsettled. All of this was carried out with political protection. Such political protection does not exist now and what you see is the effort to uncover and clean up the remnants.
One of the most notable incidents in this regard is the arrest of former Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon and the actions taken against him thereafter. Have you ever heard of an Inspector General of Police being arrested before? A parliamentary tripartite committee has also been appointed regarding this. Even those who were previously protected by the system are now feeling fear.
Former Cabinet Minister and ruling party member Pillayan has also been taken into custody. There, too, I witnessed rather absurd situations. According to members of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), it was Pillayan who won the war. However, he was arrested in connection with the disappearance of a university vice-chancellor.
It has been reported that the Suriyawewa Pradeshiya Sabha is charging a market tax. If taxes or fees are collected, it must transfer into a service or facility for the people. The current method violates tax policy. A contract has been given to collect these taxes, meaning the money is being collected by a third party. If the taxes collected were genuinely used for the maintenance of the market complex, it should be in excellent condition.
The income of the Suriyawewa Pradeshiya Sabha amounts to 110 million rupees. If that money had been properly used for the Pradeshiya Sabha, today it would be in the best condition. The fact that it indicates that the money has ended up in someone else’s hands.
Despite instructions not to collect money in schools, we continue to receive complaints that it is still happening. We are taking necessary actions to address this matter. However, there are currently insufficient investigative officers to conduct thorough investigations. We are working to strengthen the investigative units within the ministries.
Through the approved budget, we have allocated a large amount of funds for rural development including rural infrastructure, rural economy, and especially to create self-employment opportunities for women and youth, as well as to build clean villages.
The government has now stabilized the economy. The next goal is to increase income and push the economy toward a growth trajectory.”
Prime Minister further noted that the government has been in power for only six months so far and that it will continue working to correct all these issues in the future.
The event was attended by the members of Parliament Saliya Sandaruwan and Athula Weladagoda, along with a large number of candidates and local residents.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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Heat index, is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 27 April 2025, valid for 28 April 2025
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
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