Makala Forster, Orcas high-school freshman, is once again leading a sizable (for Orcas) student delegation to the center of world governnment, the United Nations.
“The Orcas Island Youth Delegation is a group of high school students eager to learn about the process of decision-making at the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development,” said Forster. Among the youngest delegates, they will represent our small rural community where many are striving to create sustainability in its food system.
The six Orcas Island High School students, all freshmen, are Leah Cardinell, Makala Forster, Iris Parker Pavitt, Serena Sanders, Annalies Schuh and Jacqlynn Zier. They will travel to the United Nations in New York from May 8 to 17 as the Orcas Island Youth Delegation to the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD).
The Commission on Sustainable Development began in May of 1992 when the United Nations and numerous non-governmental organizations met in Rio de Janerio, Brazil to discuss the environment. Govenment and non-government groups signed treaties and pacts setting goals for improving and sustaining the health of the planet for future generations. Since then, every year different groups have met at the UN in New York City to discuss their findings and progress.
The 16th session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, being held May 5-16, will focus on: agriculture, rural development, land, drought, desertification and Africa. The Orcas Delegation will join the Youth Caucus to help represent the youth voice about sustainable farming and to promote awareness that youth are interested in global events as members of the next generation.
The student delegation hopes to present a model on the Orcas-based Farm Education and Sustainability Training (FEAST) to the other youth delegates. “We want to learn how decisions are made on the national and global level, how to lobby and network with other participants,” said Forster. “By participating in the conference, we hope to take on new leadership roles and learn different views on the issues.”
The students have been fundraising for their air-fare and travel costs for the 10-day trip through bake sales at Island Market, a car-wash and a dinner at Doe Bay Resort. “Our fund-raising efforts have not been adequate,” said Forster. “We’ll probably need to do some fund raising after we get back.”
The OIYD plans to give a public presentation about their experiences after their return late this month or early in June.
