- guardian.co.uk, Tuesday November 8 2005 10.12 GMT
We, the young people of the G8 nations, have come together in Edinburgh in July 2005 for the purpose of learning, discussion and negotiation. We have discussed the G8 agenda issues of climate change and Africa. We recognise the progress that is beginning to happen in these areas. But we think that more needs to happen more quickly. Now we are telling you what we want our leaders to do to ensure that we have a future to believe in, a society to be proud of, and a global community that respects and recognises the values of us all.
1. We want ICE - an Integrated Climate Economy. Governments need to act urgently and in a uniform way. We believe that there should be ring-fenced aviation taxes and income taxes on industrial carbon dioxide producers, together with licensing and regulation arrangements. The G8 nations should show real responsibility towards the issue. Finance raised would be used to enable environmentally minded schemes, such as subsidised public transport and energy research. Climate change will be challenged but individual lifestyles preserved.
2. We believe that globally responsible governments must promote a greater understanding of how personal actions affect the whole environment. All governments have the responsibility to assist and encourage individuals to make adjustments to their own behaviour by increasing awareness and encouraging positive choices, by introducing a system of incentives for those prepared to make a difference, and penalties for those G8 governments which fail to meet the challenge.
3. We demand that there must be an internationally registered symbol that denotes products which are energy efficient and environmentally friendly. The symbol can be used to advertise these products to consumers. Those displaying the mark will be monitored, and standards will be continuously adjusted to promote ongoing targets for energy use reduction, to reduce pollution, and to encourage clean energy development, taking geographical factors into consideration.
4. We want commitment from the G8 leaders to legislate that renewable energy microgeneration technology is integrated into every new building. Small-scale wind turbines and solar water heaters provided to create clean green buildings of the future. As the G8 leaders take a lead they must create a partnership programme to share knowledge and technologies with the developing world.
5. We demand that the G8 leaders focus on the basics first - the Millennium development goals must take a higher priority, and be delivered on. Comprehensive funding must be provided for primary education, maternal mortality and HIV/Aids, and the targets must be met. We want an increase in access to free education, assistance to train more mid-wives and to ensure the availability of services and equipment to meet mothers' needs. Education about HIV/Aids must be delivered honestly and openly, to everyone from the very young to the very old.
6. We believe that the G8 nations must work in partnership with the peoples of Africa by training the trainers. These partnerships funded by the G8 nations should develop training programmes for education and health sectors, to train teachers, doctors and administrators to enable them to pass their knowledge and skills on to others. The G8 must establish a fund to finance these key workers, to enable them to pursue careers in their own countries.
7. We believe that the G8 must support Africans to help Africans. We must strengthen the relationship between the G8 and the Africa Union with a focus on support on the African peer review mechanism. This will be accomplished by encouraging other African countries to sign up and share expertise. The result will be good governance, reducing corruption and creating a sustainable future for Africa.
8. We want effective microfinance programmes that deliver capital for African businesses. The G8 nations should establish a fund to substantially increase the financing of local businesses. This must be in partnership with Africans to support self-sufficient, sustainable economies.
