The COP15 conference is over, the results of the the COP15 are out... Maybe better outcomes and promices will come out next time.
As for me, I am currently in Sweden (just 50 minutes away from Copenhagen). Now when I am looking at the photos of the whole COP experience, I realise how much we have done and accomplished. It seems like we were there for a year working. We have made so many friends in guiding and scouting that have become very close. We've also had a tour in Copenhagen, the generous beautiful city that welcomed us all. (We saw the Citadell Castle, Downtown area, Tower in Ströget street, and ofcourse 'the Little Mermaid' who is still waiting by the sea...)
I want to thank Bernadette, Linden, Kathie, Rebecca for all their hard work and patience! Would also send a warm greeting to all the WAGGGS delegates who were just so awsome all the time!
Also, greetings to the guides, scouts and everyone who has been following me on this blog page. The mission for Climate Rescue is not over... so keep yourself updated on this site. More is yet to come =)
Finally,
Merry Christmas to all - hope you all have a wonderful holiday.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
The Democratic Kingdom of LaBanana
Today was our last day of the COP15 WAGGGS delegation.
Yesterday all day we stayed at Holmen reviewing the 2 weeks, writing reports, collecting data and business cards and informations. We also had the COP15 speeches projected on the wall infront of us, and the WAGGGS delegates were taking turn in listening and writing notes of what each President says. Unfortunately what seems to be the outcome of the COP15 is not a Legal Binding Agreement but just a promise and a date that the leaders will gather back in the coming months.
We as WAGGGS delegations did very good in lobbying and following reporters and politicians in order to get 'youth, and girls and young women' in particular into the texts and outcome.
Yesterday evening, Rebecca took the plane back to England.
I had also a skype conference with 'selection commitee' meeting with 2 hardworking guys. We chose who were the lucky few to enter the Bella Center today and yesterday.
This is an airplane view ofthe area here. We are shown in almost the middle of the picture, right after the horizontalish river. Christania is the neighbor indipendent state.
Later, we went to CHRISTANIAAAA and had a LOVELY dinner! I had steak, potato, asparagus, bacon aaand GUACAMOLE all in one DELICIOUS plate! I also tasted a bit of Luiza's plate. She had ordered Duck with wild berries! First time I ever try to eat duck =S, but it was good!
In the evening, I heard some lovely party music from the room beside ours. It was the party music that the Scouts for Climate summit had put. They had organized a 'good bye' party. I joined them, was aloot of fun!
There I was also introduced to the Democratic Kingdom of LaBanana.
The story started as such: a scout from Togo asked me where I came from and I said 'Lebanon!'. I think I must have pronounced it a big strangely or I had a delicious licorice candy in my mouth but something went wrong and the scout heard 'La Banana'. And after that, it is all hilarious stories and jokes about that republic. (It even has it's own anthem: Bananas of the world uuuunite! Go banana...) It was great to meet Awadi and all the Scout for Climate people =).
Today was also a long day!
I woke up super early and started to work on my report papers. We also had an evaluation session with Bernadette. Katie and some of the other WAGGGS delegates went to the 'nonformal education meetings' with the scouts of Denmark. They prepared for the scouts activities and fun games! Cool.
Bernadette left at noon time after we had all hugged her good bye in a big 'cinnamon roll hug!' (A new method of hugging someone goodbye- note to self.. teach it to my brownies =))
When everything was over, we had a little walk back to Christania to see how it is like in day light. I loved the place and all it's graffiti!
Tonight, some of the girls are going to the TIVOLI amusment park. I am greatly looking forward to it!
Yesterday all day we stayed at Holmen reviewing the 2 weeks, writing reports, collecting data and business cards and informations. We also had the COP15 speeches projected on the wall infront of us, and the WAGGGS delegates were taking turn in listening and writing notes of what each President says. Unfortunately what seems to be the outcome of the COP15 is not a Legal Binding Agreement but just a promise and a date that the leaders will gather back in the coming months.
We as WAGGGS delegations did very good in lobbying and following reporters and politicians in order to get 'youth, and girls and young women' in particular into the texts and outcome.
Yesterday evening, Rebecca took the plane back to England.
I had also a skype conference with 'selection commitee' meeting with 2 hardworking guys. We chose who were the lucky few to enter the Bella Center today and yesterday.
This is an airplane view ofthe area here. We are shown in almost the middle of the picture, right after the horizontalish river. Christania is the neighbor indipendent state.
Later, we went to CHRISTANIAAAA and had a LOVELY dinner! I had steak, potato, asparagus, bacon aaand GUACAMOLE all in one DELICIOUS plate! I also tasted a bit of Luiza's plate. She had ordered Duck with wild berries! First time I ever try to eat duck =S, but it was good!
In the evening, I heard some lovely party music from the room beside ours. It was the party music that the Scouts for Climate summit had put. They had organized a 'good bye' party. I joined them, was aloot of fun!
There I was also introduced to the Democratic Kingdom of LaBanana.
The story started as such: a scout from Togo asked me where I came from and I said 'Lebanon!'. I think I must have pronounced it a big strangely or I had a delicious licorice candy in my mouth but something went wrong and the scout heard 'La Banana'. And after that, it is all hilarious stories and jokes about that republic. (It even has it's own anthem: Bananas of the world uuuunite! Go banana...) It was great to meet Awadi and all the Scout for Climate people =).
Today was also a long day!
I woke up super early and started to work on my report papers. We also had an evaluation session with Bernadette. Katie and some of the other WAGGGS delegates went to the 'nonformal education meetings' with the scouts of Denmark. They prepared for the scouts activities and fun games! Cool.
Bernadette left at noon time after we had all hugged her good bye in a big 'cinnamon roll hug!' (A new method of hugging someone goodbye- note to self.. teach it to my brownies =))
When everything was over, we had a little walk back to Christania to see how it is like in day light. I loved the place and all it's graffiti!
Tonight, some of the girls are going to the TIVOLI amusment park. I am greatly looking forward to it!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
WHITE!!
Ahhh, today.. such a long day!
We woke up at 6 o'clock in order to arrive early to BC. We were there at 7:45 and still had to stand for half an hour in a long que to enter. After passing through all security, it was just to find a perfect computer spot and start to fix the papers for our Action. I printed the words 'One Voice' in the languages we WAGGGS delegates speak. After that I attended the YOUNGO gender group. We were only 11 WAGGGS delegates at the BC today. All NGOs got only a certain number of extra white cards that they could only use to enter. The percentage given to NGOs in white cards was less than 45 %. Today the BC was relatively empty with respect to the other days. Youth truely make the space more active and lively. There were various actions today in the center, but the groups were few in number.
After the YOUNGO gender meeting, the WAGGGS delegates waited for a certain Mr. Michael and sang to him a 'thank you/good bye' song upon request. He was very grateful and happy for our singing.
After that, we ran quickly to the 'Climate Rescue Station' (it is a huge outside globe in which one can have activities and speeches). We had important guests and sponsors as well as supporters to WAGGGS such as UPS and FAO. Also, Luiza and Gabriella spoke about the projects that they did at home to empower girls and young women with information about climate change and with the ability to cause a change to reverse the effect. After that, we did some charades of some of our activities that we did at home and made the audience guess what we did. That was fun.
After this, we had our Action. The ladies (Luiza, Speedy, Kaya, Myriam, Gaby) and I sang the song 'We are one voice and we are singing...' in a hallway in the BC. We had people stopping by, listening and smiling to our message. We also shouted out the words 'one voice' in each of our languages. Very nice. In fact it was so nice we repeated it twice!
After this action, we attended the WOSM's side event and introduction of their activities. We watched a movie of what the Scout Climate Summit are doing here in Copenhagen. I received a phone call during that meeting from a Lebanese media person working in a local TV station. It was a very interesting chat and it felt good to speak Lebanese again =). During the day, I also met Lebanese reporters and spoke to them about WAGGGS's key messages and beliefs and I also got an interview with NEUN news paper. Great!
(note to self: check out next month's NEUN edition!)
I came home late in the evening and was happy to meet Brian, Speedy and Kaya at the bus station. As we were walking that small bit of road to the Holmen scout center, it started to snow on us and the ground turned more and more into white. IT WAS JUST LOVELY!
After supper, the guys from the Scout Climate Summit, Katie and I went out and had a MAJOR SNOW FIGHT! wohoo! I can look now from the window and notice that the snow is still on the floor (about 5 cm thick!).It's so white and lovely! I made a snow angel =).
Tomorrow Farouk (from Algeria) and Brian (from Kenya) are going back home... eventually we all are. But we will always have those guiding/scouting memories with us with friends from all around the world =).
We woke up at 6 o'clock in order to arrive early to BC. We were there at 7:45 and still had to stand for half an hour in a long que to enter. After passing through all security, it was just to find a perfect computer spot and start to fix the papers for our Action. I printed the words 'One Voice' in the languages we WAGGGS delegates speak. After that I attended the YOUNGO gender group. We were only 11 WAGGGS delegates at the BC today. All NGOs got only a certain number of extra white cards that they could only use to enter. The percentage given to NGOs in white cards was less than 45 %. Today the BC was relatively empty with respect to the other days. Youth truely make the space more active and lively. There were various actions today in the center, but the groups were few in number.
After the YOUNGO gender meeting, the WAGGGS delegates waited for a certain Mr. Michael and sang to him a 'thank you/good bye' song upon request. He was very grateful and happy for our singing.
After that, we ran quickly to the 'Climate Rescue Station' (it is a huge outside globe in which one can have activities and speeches). We had important guests and sponsors as well as supporters to WAGGGS such as UPS and FAO. Also, Luiza and Gabriella spoke about the projects that they did at home to empower girls and young women with information about climate change and with the ability to cause a change to reverse the effect. After that, we did some charades of some of our activities that we did at home and made the audience guess what we did. That was fun.
After this, we had our Action. The ladies (Luiza, Speedy, Kaya, Myriam, Gaby) and I sang the song 'We are one voice and we are singing...' in a hallway in the BC. We had people stopping by, listening and smiling to our message. We also shouted out the words 'one voice' in each of our languages. Very nice. In fact it was so nice we repeated it twice!
After this action, we attended the WOSM's side event and introduction of their activities. We watched a movie of what the Scout Climate Summit are doing here in Copenhagen. I received a phone call during that meeting from a Lebanese media person working in a local TV station. It was a very interesting chat and it felt good to speak Lebanese again =). During the day, I also met Lebanese reporters and spoke to them about WAGGGS's key messages and beliefs and I also got an interview with NEUN news paper. Great!
(note to self: check out next month's NEUN edition!)
I came home late in the evening and was happy to meet Brian, Speedy and Kaya at the bus station. As we were walking that small bit of road to the Holmen scout center, it started to snow on us and the ground turned more and more into white. IT WAS JUST LOVELY!
After supper, the guys from the Scout Climate Summit, Katie and I went out and had a MAJOR SNOW FIGHT! wohoo! I can look now from the window and notice that the snow is still on the floor (about 5 cm thick!).It's so white and lovely! I made a snow angel =).
Tomorrow Farouk (from Algeria) and Brian (from Kenya) are going back home... eventually we all are. But we will always have those guiding/scouting memories with us with friends from all around the world =).
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Al Gore and More!
live updates:
i am writing now while standing in line going into th BC. there are ALOOOOT of people. the metro had to stop one stationn in advance (at Sunby) and we walked to th BC. I AM NOW STANDING IN THIS HUGE LINE, HOLDING BTHE unicef 15 inch laptop trying to type (with one finger). aall the NGOs got a limited re4striction of access cards to enter the center. so not all WAGGGS delegates will be able to enter today!
i am now inside, getting ready for security check......
ok, now i am in the BC and i just got the opportunity to watch Arnold Schatzinegger and Al Gore, but I did not take them since I have a non formal education this after noon with the Danish Scouts...
ok, updates again!! i am watching both of them speak today! got the tickets! wohoo..gogo
later during the day:
it is now 5 pm, Prisca Myriam and I had an interview with an RFI radio reporter. That was a good experience. I also had the chance to meet environment ministry members of Pakistan as well as Emirates.
As for now, I just exited from a speech by Al Gore. He was introduced to stage by the kind words of Yvo de Bore.
(Other than the fact that I was super tired/sleepy and fell asleep twice during the speech), he was a very good public speaker! He started his speech by relating to a personal event that had happened to him earlier this week. He then told a story that an old lady had told him some 20 years ago. And finally concluded the introduction with a joke that made the crowd laugh. As he continued his 1 hour speech, he gave several facts and figures from scientific calculations of what climate change is, how it is affecting the citizens of the Earth and what we should do to solve it.
In the end in his conclusion, Al Gore gave some inspirational words of hope and raised the tone of his voice in enthusiasm for a FAB (Fair Ambitions Binding) agreement soon (if not in COP15, then next year in Mexico!) Cheers and clapps and all of a sudden Al Gore disappeared from the closest door.
Other WAGGGS delegates had also the opportunity to attend Arnold Schwatzinegger (?spelling?) 's speech! I had tickets for that session too, but arrived 10 minutes late for the conference and was not allowed to enter becaue the room was full of people!
I also have a meeting in around an hour with the 'Selection Commitee'.
i am writing now while standing in line going into th BC. there are ALOOOOT of people. the metro had to stop one stationn in advance (at Sunby) and we walked to th BC. I AM NOW STANDING IN THIS HUGE LINE, HOLDING BTHE unicef 15 inch laptop trying to type (with one finger). aall the NGOs got a limited re4striction of access cards to enter the center. so not all WAGGGS delegates will be able to enter today!
i am now inside, getting ready for security check......
ok, now i am in the BC and i just got the opportunity to watch Arnold Schatzinegger and Al Gore, but I did not take them since I have a non formal education this after noon with the Danish Scouts...
ok, updates again!! i am watching both of them speak today! got the tickets! wohoo..gogo
later during the day:
it is now 5 pm, Prisca Myriam and I had an interview with an RFI radio reporter. That was a good experience. I also had the chance to meet environment ministry members of Pakistan as well as Emirates.
As for now, I just exited from a speech by Al Gore. He was introduced to stage by the kind words of Yvo de Bore.
(Other than the fact that I was super tired/sleepy and fell asleep twice during the speech), he was a very good public speaker! He started his speech by relating to a personal event that had happened to him earlier this week. He then told a story that an old lady had told him some 20 years ago. And finally concluded the introduction with a joke that made the crowd laugh. As he continued his 1 hour speech, he gave several facts and figures from scientific calculations of what climate change is, how it is affecting the citizens of the Earth and what we should do to solve it.In the end in his conclusion, Al Gore gave some inspirational words of hope and raised the tone of his voice in enthusiasm for a FAB (Fair Ambitions Binding) agreement soon (if not in COP15, then next year in Mexico!) Cheers and clapps and all of a sudden Al Gore disappeared from the closest door.
Other WAGGGS delegates had also the opportunity to attend Arnold Schwatzinegger (?spelling?) 's speech! I had tickets for that session too, but arrived 10 minutes late for the conference and was not allowed to enter becaue the room was full of people!I also have a meeting in around an hour with the 'Selection Commitee'.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Princesse Benedikte of Denmark!
Today was a very relaxing day. We woke up late after having gone to bed late. Yesterday was the Youth Party! It was alot of fun! The place called 'Vega' was crowded with people. All the rooms on both building floors as well as the dance stage and arena were packed with youth that had been participating in the COP15 through out the week. It was a good way to take off all the stress from last week and refresh oneself for a new start for the coming week! We, WAGGGS team are all relaxed now, slept well and feel very excited about the coming week! GO GO
Today had 2 peak points. One was meeting Princesse Benedikte of Denmark.
She is a very elegant young lady (almost 60 of age) who is the official supporter of the scouts/guides in denmark. She and the Olave Baden Powel Society is also the reason why I and several other of the WAGGGS delegation are able to attend these important events in Copenhagen. A BIG THANKS TO THEM! We had the opportunity to have a little chat with her Royal Highness and I got to know from her that she enjoys Campfire songs alot (she is one of us =D).
The second event today was meeting the Scout for Climate people who came today to Holmen (the scouting place we are staying at) and who will be participating with us in the coming week in the COP15 and other activities. Very interesting, funny, intelligent people. This is what I have seen so far. Can't wait to get to know them more. Kaya, Luiza and I (the Action group) also prepared for the new commers a couple of welcome games. In the end, we celebrated together SANTA LUCIA day! (the 13th of December is the memory of St. Lucia. It is a very popular feast in the nordic countires. And since we have Sara Linea, Emily and I who speak Swedish as well as other guide/scout members, we sang two Lucia songs to the whole group of 60 along with some candle lights. - really nice =) )
As for now, it is time to go to bed. Tomorrow is a start for a new exciting week.
Will post photos and videos when I get the opportunity (soon!)
Today had 2 peak points. One was meeting Princesse Benedikte of Denmark.
She is a very elegant young lady (almost 60 of age) who is the official supporter of the scouts/guides in denmark. She and the Olave Baden Powel Society is also the reason why I and several other of the WAGGGS delegation are able to attend these important events in Copenhagen. A BIG THANKS TO THEM! We had the opportunity to have a little chat with her Royal Highness and I got to know from her that she enjoys Campfire songs alot (she is one of us =D).
The second event today was meeting the Scout for Climate people who came today to Holmen (the scouting place we are staying at) and who will be participating with us in the coming week in the COP15 and other activities. Very interesting, funny, intelligent people. This is what I have seen so far. Can't wait to get to know them more. Kaya, Luiza and I (the Action group) also prepared for the new commers a couple of welcome games. In the end, we celebrated together SANTA LUCIA day! (the 13th of December is the memory of St. Lucia. It is a very popular feast in the nordic countires. And since we have Sara Linea, Emily and I who speak Swedish as well as other guide/scout members, we sang two Lucia songs to the whole group of 60 along with some candle lights. - really nice =) )
As for now, it is time to go to bed. Tomorrow is a start for a new exciting week.
Will post photos and videos when I get the opportunity (soon!)
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Flash Dance!!
check this out!! =)
This is an event planned by the YOUNGO- that all of the youth groups participated in (including WAGGGS). It was alot of fun!
This is called the 'Flash Dance' performed in the Bella Centre
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eozcU2f6jow&feature=autofb
We also repeated it several times today during the march!
This is an event planned by the YOUNGO- that all of the youth groups participated in (including WAGGGS). It was alot of fun!
This is called the 'Flash Dance' performed in the Bella Centre
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eozcU2f6jow&feature=autofb
We also repeated it several times today during the march!
Protest for Climate Change
Check us out singing on stage the song, 'i am one voice and i am singing.. ':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iTr1dy4ge8
Bernadette speaking from Bella Centre about " Youth Voice 17 on Climate Change - for COP15"
:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npfxES2sn3o
Today was the big march and protest for the outcome of the climate summit. Some sources said that there were around 100,000 people. Helicopters were flying above us, and the Bella Center had the event televised.
From what we saw from the middle of the protest, everything was very cheerful and friendly. In the news however one will see differently. I, and the WAGGGS delegation are all safe. We did participate loudly and sang across the way. We also walked beside the 350.org and enjoyed their pinguin costumes and fun ideas of protest. You can youtube about the event ande check out about the different people/organizations taking part in the event.
We felt really glad to walk the whole road from Christiansborg Slotsplads (Parliament Square) all the way to Bella Center! (That is almost 5 metro stops).
Tomorrow we have a very interesting event! WE ARE GOING TO MEET HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, BENEDIKTE, PRINCESS OF DENMARK. cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iTr1dy4ge8
Bernadette speaking from Bella Centre about " Youth Voice 17 on Climate Change - for COP15"
:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npfxES2sn3o
Today was the big march and protest for the outcome of the climate summit. Some sources said that there were around 100,000 people. Helicopters were flying above us, and the Bella Center had the event televised.
From what we saw from the middle of the protest, everything was very cheerful and friendly. In the news however one will see differently. I, and the WAGGGS delegation are all safe. We did participate loudly and sang across the way. We also walked beside the 350.org and enjoyed their pinguin costumes and fun ideas of protest. You can youtube about the event ande check out about the different people/organizations taking part in the event.
We felt really glad to walk the whole road from Christiansborg Slotsplads (Parliament Square) all the way to Bella Center! (That is almost 5 metro stops).
Tomorrow we have a very interesting event! WE ARE GOING TO MEET HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, BENEDIKTE, PRINCESS OF DENMARK. cool.
Finally Friday
Today was the last day of the first week at BC. So crowded, and so many people!
It was also a perfect day to do all 'actions'. Youth organizations gathered around and invited other youth groups to join them in a short group gathering protest. This could be done by either shouting out slogans, singing songs, listening to songs. But today there was a special one that most of the youth organizations (if not all) participated in. The Action event was under the title of 'don't freeze the deal' and what happened was the following. Youth were "randomly" walking down the corridor when suddenly some balloons pop and all these young people FREEZE in their grounds! They don't move a muscle for 350 seconds. Now is that a weird seane,or what? The number 350 signifies the need to lower the Carbon parts/million in the atmosphere to 350 (it is now 390 ppm. I participated too in the event, but I can say that my arm hurt me just a bit after going back to normal [I froze as opening my mouth weirdly and pointing at Margaretha in disbelief].
Another action took place concerning the melting of the ice glaciers. Also, throughout the day, many interviews/conferences/side events take place. I attended a little press release about how the small islands near New Zealand are suffering the consequences of climate change. The speaker also share with us a typical dance from her region! Very nice, I must say!
As I was passing randomly in the corridor I bumped into a guy, and instead of just turning around, I decided to smile to him. Well, he turned out to be a know journalist from Norway and decided that he wanted to make an interview with me. Well, yes certainly! I told him all about guiding and WAGGGS and how we are fighting climate change.
Also, I met the head of transportation minister (if I am not mistaken) of Irak. It was quite enjoyable to open a conversation with him and he was eager to learn more about guiding and scouting! Unexpectedly cool!
We also saw some neatly done ice sculptures representing how some nations will disappear if the climate change continues and sea level rises to eliminate the existance of some people.
hmmm, what else did we do today?
Well, it was our patrol's turn to cook dinner to everyone. So, Mirna and I did something very smart. We went to Netto (supermarket) and bought frozen pizzas. Came home, heated the oven and made 2 sallads and VOILA, dinner is served! We also had a cake for desert because it is Petinas Birthday Today! =)
After the evening's debreif, we went out and walked in the lovely streets of Copenhagen. We took the /bus boad/ from the Opera house to the Queen's house and then made a walk in centrum. There was an exhibition on the street of photographs of places from all around the world of "What are the 100 places you MUST VISIT before 2050 incase nothing is done about climate change". Among those 100 photos was a photo of the 'Cedars of God in Lebanon' (wohoo!)
Now, we are back home and it is almost 3 am. Tomorrow we were promiced pankakes for breakfast! yeey!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Some shots of today!
ahh.. sorry for the order of the pictures.. please notice the pictures of this blog date of today from down to up to be put in chronological order of appearance.
This photo was taken on our way back. Danish metro accuracy in timing. Gotto love the Danish technology!! ps: metro trains do not have drivers on either side of the train. everying is computerised.
Posing as a pop star with Mirna. haha! loads of similar photos taken with the other members of the pop team sensation group! =P
Food during the event, among which was a vegitarian sandwich: proudly made out of HUMMUS.. hihi
WAGGGS members then sang as an opening act in the evening youth party at the Radisson hotel. We sang the song 'I am one voice and I am singing... but I am not alone.' And then more and more people joined in, untill we finally sang 'We are 10 million and we are singing.. but we are not alone' It turned out to be great!
Our shared WAGGGS and WOSM stand. The Orange tshirts we worn today by all youth because it was the \youth day\ today! Very exciting activities and actions took palce during this day.
The media taking shots of an action prepared by youth members.(This kind of reminds me of a certain session closure at the Cabana =) )
One of the huge computer rooms:
This photo was taken on our way back. Danish metro accuracy in timing. Gotto love the Danish technology!! ps: metro trains do not have drivers on either side of the train. everying is computerised.
Posing as a pop star with Mirna. haha! loads of similar photos taken with the other members of the pop team sensation group! =P
Food during the event, among which was a vegitarian sandwich: proudly made out of HUMMUS.. hihi
WAGGGS members then sang as an opening act in the evening youth party at the Radisson hotel. We sang the song 'I am one voice and I am singing... but I am not alone.' And then more and more people joined in, untill we finally sang 'We are 10 million and we are singing.. but we are not alone' It turned out to be great!
Our shared WAGGGS and WOSM stand. The Orange tshirts we worn today by all youth because it was the \youth day\ today! Very exciting activities and actions took palce during this day.
The media taking shots of an action prepared by youth members.(This kind of reminds me of a certain session closure at the Cabana =) )
One of the huge computer rooms:
Thursday, December 10, 2009
what a day
this photo was actually taken yesterday, but i thought that i would share it anyway bcause we look soo good wearing our YUNGA t-shirts =)
Today in the morning we had our Side Event, it was quite similar to previous one, and we did just as well as before =). It was sad though that the opening event (ribbon cutting) was postponed to the afternoon, else we would have had more people attending our event because it would have been directly after the ribbon cutting (which includes the attendance of many people and press).
As for me, the day was a very calm one. My patrol had the duty of attending the stand, so I sat there most of my time taking care of the visitors and explaining to them what we do. I had some interesting people passing by, one was a party member from Brazil, and one was an elder lady that told me that she was a guide member when she was young. Yesterday, I met this Indian girl who told me that she would like to joing guiding. So, I asked her where in India do you live? And she said: in Pune! AHA!! I directly sent her a mail to the website of Sangam and started to describe to her where Sangam is on Alandi raod! =)
Today in the morning we had our Side Event, it was quite similar to previous one, and we did just as well as before =). It was sad though that the opening event (ribbon cutting) was postponed to the afternoon, else we would have had more people attending our event because it would have been directly after the ribbon cutting (which includes the attendance of many people and press).
As for me, the day was a very calm one. My patrol had the duty of attending the stand, so I sat there most of my time taking care of the visitors and explaining to them what we do. I had some interesting people passing by, one was a party member from Brazil, and one was an elder lady that told me that she was a guide member when she was young. Yesterday, I met this Indian girl who told me that she would like to joing guiding. So, I asked her where in India do you live? And she said: in Pune! AHA!! I directly sent her a mail to the website of Sangam and started to describe to her where Sangam is on Alandi raod! =)
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Lebanese in Blood!
Yesterday at the Bella Centre, I spoke to a guy from an Arabic country and he shared with me a story that I would like to share with you all.
He told me that he loved Lebanon VERY much, and I was glad but just a little surprise for his great passion. So, I asked him why and this is what he told me:
When he was born, his body needed frequent input of blood amount of a special type/blood group. This blood was very important for his survival when he was still a baby and without it he would definitely die. The only person that was there to donate his blood on a daily basis was a Lebanese person.
So his father told him when he grew up that: Although you are Omani (origin from Oman) but your blood is Lebanese! =)
He told me that he loved Lebanon VERY much, and I was glad but just a little surprise for his great passion. So, I asked him why and this is what he told me:
When he was born, his body needed frequent input of blood amount of a special type/blood group. This blood was very important for his survival when he was still a baby and without it he would definitely die. The only person that was there to donate his blood on a daily basis was a Lebanese person.
So his father told him when he grew up that: Although you are Omani (origin from Oman) but your blood is Lebanese! =)
African Delegation Protest
Something that I find interesting that happened yesterday.
Check out: African Delegation Protest at COP15
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajTozq7xQWk
Check out: African Delegation Protest at COP15
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajTozq7xQWk
Side Event- great job WAGGGS!!
Hello, yesterday our patrol (the Olave Room) had the mission to write the BLOG report for the WAGGGS website.. and this is what we wrote.. so it is kind of review of what we all did yesterday =)
Second day at COP 15: The 8th of December
Our side event
Today our delegation carried out a side-event. Side events are a possibility for the different NGO's present at COP 15 to introduce them selves and tell people what they want to achieve in Copenhagen.
We started with a song in Spanish to attract attention and get people gathering around us. Then we played the game “Gordian Knot” which we used to symbolize climate changes being a very complicated issue. We tried to untangle the knot, which is difficult and involves everyone, just as the climate changes.
In the end of the game all participants where standing in a circle, holding hands, which symbolized unity of the world.
We also did a quiz with the audience. One volunteered to participate in the quiz “Who wants to be a climate change expert?” and won a nice badge from Brazil.
Afterwards we shared stories of what girl guides in Egypt, Bolivia and Madagascar are doing to fight the climate change. And finally we wrote the words “one voice” on our foreheads to show, that we are ten million girl guides in the world, speaking in one voice. We marked some of the audience in this way as well.
Today’s actions
During the day a lot of crazy actions from a variety of NGO’s took place. One of them where the YOUNGO Constituency being on the spot again. This time they made a “bed-in” action to show that we are all in the same bed, and it’s time for politicians to wake up. We experienced today that dressing up is the best way to attract media attention, so maybe that’s something to consider.
In the European Youth Climate Movement we decided today to run a euro-wide action. We want all young Europeans to call their head of state tomorrow at a certain time, to claim that Europe should cut off at least 40% of their emissions (compared to 1990-levels). Right after this we made a video to be put on Youtube. It shows young people saying “cut of at least 40%” in different European languages. Go look for it at Youtube and look for the WAGGGS-scarfs!
Second day at COP 15: The 8th of December
Our side event
Today our delegation carried out a side-event. Side events are a possibility for the different NGO's present at COP 15 to introduce them selves and tell people what they want to achieve in Copenhagen.
We started with a song in Spanish to attract attention and get people gathering around us. Then we played the game “Gordian Knot” which we used to symbolize climate changes being a very complicated issue. We tried to untangle the knot, which is difficult and involves everyone, just as the climate changes.
In the end of the game all participants where standing in a circle, holding hands, which symbolized unity of the world.
We also did a quiz with the audience. One volunteered to participate in the quiz “Who wants to be a climate change expert?” and won a nice badge from Brazil.
Afterwards we shared stories of what girl guides in Egypt, Bolivia and Madagascar are doing to fight the climate change. And finally we wrote the words “one voice” on our foreheads to show, that we are ten million girl guides in the world, speaking in one voice. We marked some of the audience in this way as well.
Today’s actions
During the day a lot of crazy actions from a variety of NGO’s took place. One of them where the YOUNGO Constituency being on the spot again. This time they made a “bed-in” action to show that we are all in the same bed, and it’s time for politicians to wake up. We experienced today that dressing up is the best way to attract media attention, so maybe that’s something to consider.
In the European Youth Climate Movement we decided today to run a euro-wide action. We want all young Europeans to call their head of state tomorrow at a certain time, to claim that Europe should cut off at least 40% of their emissions (compared to 1990-levels). Right after this we made a video to be put on Youtube. It shows young people saying “cut of at least 40%” in different European languages. Go look for it at Youtube and look for the WAGGGS-scarfs!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
just a couple of pics to share
Euronews taking pictures of me being taken pictures of! Why? I don't know.
What is written on my forehead is 'NO MORE DELAY' =)
A great big gathering (going to take place daily) to find out who is going to receive the top 3 positions in 'the most fossil maker'. This is a mock award given to countries who have contributed the least to facilitating the COP15 conference agreements. The winner at first place today were the ANNEX 1 countries (ie US and all other mostly developed=top polluter countries)
Finding the Lebanese post slot among all the other drawers! (how do i tilt the picture?)
A WAGGGS group photo with Director-General of FAO, Jacques Diouf and Indonesian/Asian Singer, Anggun!
...just an idea of what one of the biggest conference rooms looked like! HUGE!
Check out this link to listen to Angelique's song called 'Agola' - awsome! (By the way, she's a very friendly person, we attended a UN conference with her as a host. The topic of the conference was: the effect of Music on all people.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vP3ic1Jwog
What is written on my forehead is 'NO MORE DELAY' =)
A great big gathering (going to take place daily) to find out who is going to receive the top 3 positions in 'the most fossil maker'. This is a mock award given to countries who have contributed the least to facilitating the COP15 conference agreements. The winner at first place today were the ANNEX 1 countries (ie US and all other mostly developed=top polluter countries)
Finding the Lebanese post slot among all the other drawers! (how do i tilt the picture?)
A WAGGGS group photo with Director-General of FAO, Jacques Diouf and Indonesian/Asian Singer, Anggun!
...just an idea of what one of the biggest conference rooms looked like! HUGE!
Check out this link to listen to Angelique's song called 'Agola' - awsome! (By the way, she's a very friendly person, we attended a UN conference with her as a host. The topic of the conference was: the effect of Music on all people.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vP3ic1Jwog
Monday, December 7, 2009
Live from BC
I writing to you live now from the Bella Centre, where the COP15 conferences are taking place! I just also participated in the IYCM (International Youth Climate Movement) Flash Dance in one of the huge hall ways.. Also, we WAGGGS delegates have been attending several press conferences that concern us. For example a conference related to Gender and Climate Change as well as a UNFCCC press conference that had Children Ambassadors speak with Anguun and Angelique (two famous Asian singers) about the impact music has on people. They all agreed that music is a good way to spread the message of Climate Change to the world since music is an international language spoken by all.
The Bella Centre is a HUGE place and still there are so many people. I have not visited all of the stands nor rooms yet, so I think I will write more info later on the blogg- I don't want to miss any of the action here! =)
for more info on what is going on here .. minute by minute.. check out this site:
www.unfccc.com
The Bella Centre is a HUGE place and still there are so many people. I have not visited all of the stands nor rooms yet, so I think I will write more info later on the blogg- I don't want to miss any of the action here! =)
for more info on what is going on here .. minute by minute.. check out this site:
www.unfccc.com
Sunday, December 6, 2009
End of COY
Hello hello!
Today was the second and last day of the COY and tomorrow the COP15 conference will officially start! WOHOO..there is a lot of excitement in the atmosphere in all of Copenhagen. One could easily notice that when one is taking the metro from the down town area towards the Bella Center! CROWDED! We also had to stand in line for around 2 hours to get our registration card; that one important card that enables us to enter the center during the conference. The security was intense, but it is highly understandable. I mean, all of the world leaders will be there in just a couple of days!
During the day, we had a similar schedule as the previous day and each of us WAGGGS delegates, as well as other youths, joined different workshops to learn more about certain issues that concerns them. I rejoined the 'Act and Action' group which yesterday performed an awesome street spectacle. Today we also did a song outside the gathering hall on the street, and although it was extremely cold outside, people still left their sandwiches and cozy chairs and went outside to watch us perform. We also 'taught them how to fly' which was a great success because most of the audience joined in with the activity and had smiles from ear to ear as our performance was over.
The most exciting part for Me during the day was the workshop that Bernadette and I ran! It talked about 'Speaking to the Media'. We had a group of around 18 of youths gathered around us listening to advice and information shared among the group. We also had some practice exercises of what to do when really encountering an anxious reporter! (This also gave me a chance to practice and re-vive my French language skills since there were two youth members from French speaking African countries who had some difficulty in catching up with all the English. They were very lovely people, by the way). We got a lot of positive feedback from the youth who attended our workshop saying that they benefited from it greatly! - woho, score!
I also need to mention that WAGGGS got the chance to chose one of our group to give a summary of the previous day to all new youth members in front of everybody in the great assembly hall. Sara (Sweden) from our group volunteered to give a speech and did an excellent work in promoting WAGGGS as well as giving the vital points of that day. Great Work!! Hands from all over the room were clapping for us.
There was also a meeting for the Regional Groups, so I teamed up with the guys from the Middle East. Happy to meet and collaborate with the Lebanese people, as well as the Egyptians, and the people from the gulf countries.
The rest of the afternoon was spent at the Bella Center, getting our cards and discovering it's many rooms and stands (huuge place!). We saw where WAGGGS and WOSM will share an exhibit area inside the center.
Well, that's all for today but I am really excited about tomorrow as it will be the beginning of something GREAT! More updates on that tomorrow evening... good night for now.
FIRST DAY OF COY... crazy town- WOHOO!
So, today was a very busy Saturday! I woke up super early and went after breakfast to the COY (Conference of Youth) meeting place in Copenhagen with the WAGGGS team. We walked, took the bus, metro and then walked some more in the dark!
Okey, so at the COY we met a lot of people, around 500 all in the same hall room.(I am not really sure of the exact number, but I do know that there were youth representatives from almost 150 countries!) All of them gathered there for the same purpose: ' to fight climate change'. WAGGGS was there to speak on behalf of the 10 million girls and young women in the organization and all other women who are the most vulnerable to get their voice be heard. It felt really great to do so!
The COY started with introductions, welcoming games, and then youth participants joined the group that they found themselves most likely contented with. Well for example, I chose to join a group that talked about 'talking to the media' and heard some advice on how to behave in front of a journalist who is asking a lot of questions deviating from the main issue intended. The second workshop that I joined was a more physically active type. The workshop talked about arts and how to use it wisely to express ones' demands. There was a really cool guy in the group from Kenya who shared with us his simple song and dance. (The lyrics to the song are: Globe is warming! Climate is changing! - and that's it, but it was GREAT!) I could feel the positive energy all over the place!! wohoo. Another guy rapped for us about climate change-not bad at all.
After lunch it was back to the big hall room and we sat with total strangers in groups of approximately 10 youth members and just discussed about their expectations from the COP15 conference. I was with a group with youth participants from India, the US, New Zealand, Norway, France, Denmark. It is was immediately agreed upon us that Global Warming should be solved because we would all of us be affected of it sooner or later since we are all citizens of the Earth! (Some participants shared stories of how they have already started to feel the impacts of climate change; where as others shared stories of how they are working with their association on the issue of decreasing the CO2 emissions - I gave several examples of what we at WAGGGS are doing.
ps: if you are curious and would like to get more information, why not enter www.wagggs.org and check them out! =) )
By the end of the meeting day, each person chose a 'working group' to join and work with during all of the COP15 conference. I chose to be a 'bridge person' between the Communication Working Group and the Action Group! This should be a lot of fun and a big challenge too! This means I have to keep up with the work of both groups and keep a track of both of their decisions.
After that looong day, we had an even longer walk in the lovely Christmas decorated streets of Copenhagen. There was saw the WWF exhibition of an ice sculptured polar bear left in the open air! Such a cool idea by WWF to show that polar bears will soon become extinct if the globe's temperature keeps on increasing!
After our delicous fried rise with vegetable dinner, we had a meeting for us delegates. This gave each WAGGGS member the opportunity to share her experience throughout the day with her guiding friends. (Yes, even though we have only known each other for 3 days, we have all become real good friends. Well, that's normal in guiding, isn't it? =) )
Aaaaand, late in the evening we had our INTERNATIONAL EVENT!! You can imagine the colorful and tasty table that we had in front of us. Food from 20 different countries! DELICIOUS! I brought with me HALAWA to represent Lebanon and the majority liked it a lot =). I liked too a lot of what I tasted...hmmm, let's see. I can remember the good Australian chocolate-coconut biscuits, the Bolivian vitamin drink (that tastes a lot like hot Swedish Gløgg, but is instead of wine, it was made up of ALL SORTS OF grounded vegetables and beans and spices! Extremely mouth satisfying and healthy). I tasted everything on the international table and was very happy when Ostara said that she was glad to have a walk with me after dinner around the neighborhood- just for the sake of digesting all the food! But seriously, cultural gatherings are just the best! I am meeting a lot of new faces everyday from all over the globe and was even more glad when I saw some Lebanese delegates also in the COY conference today! Good to know that in Lebanon, other people are also concerned with Climatic Change.
Aha, that was a long blog text today...I promise I will try to keep it more short next time!
See you tomorrow!
Friday, December 4, 2009
I'm in Copenhagen!
Hej!
I have never really written an online blogg before. So it is feeling a bit new for me at the moment, but I will just convince myself that it is just like writing my diary... only this time for the world =). So, here we go!
Okey, so now I am finally here in Copenhagen. Yesterday was the arrival day of all the WAGGGS delegation members. We are a fantastic team of 19 girl guides and girl scouts from practically all around the world... let's see from Brazil, USA, Australia, Bolivia, Sweden, Denmark, Egypt, Madagascar, Kenya, France, Hungary, aaaand Lebanon! We also have with us 3 WAGGGS leaders that are training us from Austria, England and Australia. As you can see, it's a culturally varied group gathered by guiding and scouting!! Two thumbs up!
So, today was the official training day. The day started early and bright, after breakfast we had some discussions of why WAGGGS is here at the COP15 (Conference of Parties- 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference) conference and what is our aim and expectations from it. We also played some games to get introduced to all the others in the delegation team. The day continued also with further topics and discussions of such as dfining clearly the WAGGGS Key Messages for the COP15 conference.
For those who are new to guiding/scouting, WAGGGS is the World Association for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. What is that? It's a world wide movement providing non formal education where girls and young women develop leadership and life skills through self-development challenge and adventure. Girl Guides and Girl Scouts learn by doing. The WAGGGS mission is to enable girls and young women to develop their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world.
Okey, now is the time when I should turn off the computer and go to sleep. Tomorrow is going to be the first day of the COY conference (Conference of Youth - well, basically all large global Non Governmental Organizations of the youth gather tomorrow!) Wake up early-but we are so ready!
Monday, November 30, 2009
About me!
Marhaba!
Hey, I'm Rima,23 years old, from Lebanon and I am a girl guide member at the G.N.O (Guides Nationales Orthodox) which in itself is an active member of FLEG (Lebanese Federation for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) and WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts)! I have been in guiding/scouting ever since I was 7 years old. I am still a student in life and in guiding am currently a Brownie leader.
I created this blog so that I can share with You my experience at the COP15 conference in Denmark this December. This is an important conference about Climate Change. Leaders from all over the world will come together to speak about the need to take action to save the Earth. Lebanon will also send their leaders and members of the Ministry of Environment to attend this important conference. WAGGGS has chosen delegates from all around the world to speak in the name of the youth, and I was chosen as one of them to represent Us all here in Lebanon! Exciting!!
[ The reason why I am writing my blogg in English and not in Arabic is because I do not think it will be very easy to find an arabic keyboard in Denmark! Also, friends from all over the world have the opportunity to read and share aswell. But I do promice that translations will soon be available. ]
Hey, I'm Rima,23 years old, from Lebanon and I am a girl guide member at the G.N.O (Guides Nationales Orthodox) which in itself is an active member of FLEG (Lebanese Federation for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) and WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts)! I have been in guiding/scouting ever since I was 7 years old. I am still a student in life and in guiding am currently a Brownie leader.
I created this blog so that I can share with You my experience at the COP15 conference in Denmark this December. This is an important conference about Climate Change. Leaders from all over the world will come together to speak about the need to take action to save the Earth. Lebanon will also send their leaders and members of the Ministry of Environment to attend this important conference. WAGGGS has chosen delegates from all around the world to speak in the name of the youth, and I was chosen as one of them to represent Us all here in Lebanon! Exciting!!
[ The reason why I am writing my blogg in English and not in Arabic is because I do not think it will be very easy to find an arabic keyboard in Denmark! Also, friends from all over the world have the opportunity to read and share aswell. But I do promice that translations will soon be available. ]
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