Speakers
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Lucy PlummerSoka Gakkai International,
National Youth Leader (UK) and Youth Consultant at SGI UN Office
Bio: Lucy has worked professionally with and for youth in various roles at the national and
international level for more than a decade. Lucy has a bachelors in Youth Studies and a
masters in Sustainable Development, with her area of expertise being young people’s
participation in climate and environmental policy processes. Lucy has co-ordinated
numerous youth engagement groups and projects on behalf of institutions and NGOs,
including faith-based organisations and UN offices. She is currently serving as a Youth
Consultant for the Soka Gakkai International Office for UN Affairs. Lucy is an advocate for
youth inclusion at the UN and plays an active role in advancing young people’s inclusion in
climate processes as a member of the UNFCCC children and youth constituency group,
YOUNGO. -
Miriam Silverman IsraelUNEP Faith for Earth, Intern, Law Division
Miriam is a third-year dual degree student at the Fletcher School, Tufts University and
the Harvard Divinity School where she studies international environmental policy, human
security and the role of religious communities in responding to climate change. She focuses
on climate adaptation and local resilience, as well as strategies for coping with climate grief
for climate professionals. At UNEP, Miriam supports outreach to faith actors and
coordination of the Faith Pavilion at COP28. Previously, she worked on international
democracy and inclusive governance issues in Washington, DC. -
Precious Donna Gift JaynoFIMCAP, COP28 Delegate
Precious Donna Gift Jayno is a 23-year-old civil engineer in Cebu City, Philippines. Her
long membership in Chiro Pilipinas, a church-based youth organization, has molded her into
a leader in the organization and in her barangay or village. Her exposure to the realities of
her community led her to become the Head of the National Social Action Committee, which
focuses on environmental protection and solidarity, for which she advocates. She believes
that to love God and his creations means protecting the earth and its people. She is part of
the COP28 delegation of FIMCAP, a network of catholic youth organizations. -
Silvana Mabel Peralta BogarinThe National Directorate of Climate Change of the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development of Paraguay, Technical Specialist for the Adaptation Department
Silvana has rich experience in analyzing and developing policies focused on climate
change adaptation. She has helped update the National Adaptation Plan and led the
construction of a roadmap for adaptation towards 2030 for her home country (Paraguay).
Furthermore, Silvana has experience in capacity-building where she has developed trainingprograms for indigenous and other vulnerable communities on ecosystem-based
adaptation.” -
Taahir BulbuliaGovernment of Barbados, Barbados Youth Ambassador to the UN
Taahir Bulbulia is a youth leader from the beautiful island of Barbados. He
possesses a Bachelor’s in Sports Science with a specialization in Sport
Management from the University of West Indies Cave Hill Campus. Taahir has
a passion for youth, sports and national development. Taahir has served on the
Cave Hill Guild of Students as the first ever Faculty of Sport Representative.
In his tenure he founded the historic Sports Science Society, a student-based
organization that seeks to promote the holistic benefits of sports to a nation and
provide opportunities to learn, grow and develop in the field of sport. Taahir has
also served as the Vice President of the Guild.
Moving Faith Forward: Youth Leadership and Faith-Based Climate Advocacy – Soka Gakkai International
This session will provide a space for Youth leaders from faith and spiritual backgrounds who
are engaged in high-level climate policy, including as national delegates and representatives
of FBOs, to reflect on the role of faith in their work and to share key learnings, insights and
practical tips.
The session will explore the following key questions: how might faith be guiding youth
negotiators in their roles?, how does faith impact negotiation strategies?, and what makes
an effective faith-based climate advocacy strategy? The session will also explore some key
themes, including youth leadership, intergenerational justice and solidarity, and climate
justice.
This session aims to empower faith leaders, faith communities and FBOs to take more
ambitious action for the climate through highlighting successful initiatives and personal
experiences of young people of faith who are leading such engagement in high-level
positions.
This session will introduce some effective climate advocacy strategies being led by young
people of faith within high-level climate spaces as well as their faith-based motivations for
engaging in climate processes.