Press Release
Glasgow, 4 November 2021
Join YMCA for an evening of youth-led climate discovery as part of an exclusive YMCA film screening and COP26 special performance from Rhys Lewis
YMCA is delighted to announce a special in-person only event taking place on Tuesday November 9 in the heart of Glasgow, offering a unique chance to preview their ground-breaking film Creating Youth-Led Solutions.
Specially commissioned for COP26, the documentary-style film will premiere as a sold-out event and live stream as part of the official Green Zone programme on November 12, hosted by YMCA Scotland. However, a select audience will be able to attend Tuesday’s advanced screening, followed by a very special youth-led discussion and performance with singer-songwriter Rhys Lewis.
Creating Youth-Led Solutions tells the story of how young leaders on each continent are innovating local solutions to the climate crisis, and highlights the importance and inspiration of youth voices in the battle to save our planet.
So, join YMCA for a journey across the world as we hear from young people installing vermicomposting and tackling electronic waste in Hawaii; see their work in Peru where addressing poor sanitation and inorganic waste has led to addressing income inequity; witness a cross-cultural collaboration between young people in Albay, Philippines and Michigan (USA) to train a new generation of eco-leaders; learn about community-led reforestation in the Western Balkan forests of Kosovo; watch as young people create micro-green spaces across Ramallah, Palestine; and discover how curriculum-based climate art projects are utilising up-cycled waste in schools in Zambia.
After the screening, Rhys Lewis will be joined in conversation alongside YMCA Ambassadors from across the world featured in the documentary, before a unique COP26 special live performance.
Rhys said: ”I’ve long been passionate about climate action and believe the music industry can do more to engage people in the crisis we are facing. Artists and labels also need to look at how we can reduce our carbon footprint as an industry.”
“The pandemic has shown us just how adaptive and creative we can be in adversity; we should see this emergency as a similar opportunity to inspire positive change for the sake of our planet. The last track on my debut album, a song called ‘What Wild Things Were’, was inspired by David Wallace-Wells’ book ‘The Uninhabitable Earth’. It’s scary to imagine the world we’ll be living in if we don’t act now, so it’s vital that we turn our good intentions into meaningful action. COP26 is the moment to change our future.”
“Through its engagement with young people around the world, YMCA is making a huge and positive impact on the climate crisis. I’m proud to help amplify the inspiring work they do as a community every day.”
In addition to YMCA’s film premier and advanced screening, more than 20 young delegates from Germany, Ghana, Ireland, Kosovo, Palestine, Peru, Romania, Norway, Scotland, USA, Canada, Zambia and England & Wales will be taking part in debates inside the COP26 Blue Zone. Key figures from YMCA’s global leadership will also be joining a programme of COP26 side-events, including a special collaboration with One Young World and Extreme International.
To register for the advanced screening and performance from Rhys Lewis on November 9 (7pm, GMT) at Extreme International’s The Extreme Hangout at Glasgow’s iconic Ferry venue, head to its website.
Alternatively, to be reminded of the global premier’s livestream on November 12 (3:30pm, GMT), sign up here.
For more information on YMCA’s involvement at COP26, including access to events and daily blogs from delegates, please visit: https://www.ymca.int/cop26/ or follow @WorldYMCA / #YMCACOP26.
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For more information and a list of spokespeople, or to make interview requests, please contact Aimee Reilly on aimee.reilly@ymca.org.uk / +447863 620084.