 원본 글내용
|
|
□ Program Overview
1. Overview of the Event
• Event Name: The 25th TEMM Youth Forum
(TEMM: Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting among Korea, China and Japan)
• Date and Location: September 27-30, 2024, Jeju Island, Korea
• Theme: "Transition to a Sustainable Circular Economy: Transformative Actions by Youth"
• Participants: Government officials and youth delegates from Korea, Japan, and China
• Main Schedule:
• Day 1: Orientation and International Exchange
• Day 2: Main Forum and Official TEMM Welcome Dinner
• Day 3: Attendance at Ministerial Meeting (Session 3) and Excursion 1,2,3
• Day 4: Departure
□ Event Outcomes
-> Day 1: Orientation and International Exchange
• Location: Bloom Hotel, Jeju
• Contents:
• Introduction of the TEMM25 YF program
• Ice-breaking and welcome dinner
• Self-introduction and cooperation games to build friendship
-> Day 2: TEMM25 Youth Forum and Official TEMM Welcome Dinner
• Location: Bloom Hotel, Jeju and Shilla Hotel (TEMM)
• Contents:
• Opening speeches by the Ministry of Environment (Ms. Han Myeongsil)
• Keynote speeches on circular economy (Mr. Hong Suyeol)
• Youth speeches on A young man’s steps : way to wave(Ms. Song Daseul, TEMM23 youth delegate)
• Presentations from each country (China-Korea-Japan)
• 3 Group discussions with Quesitons for the Forum Report
• Writing the Forum Report with youth delegations
• Official TEMM Welcome Dinner at Shilla Hotel
-> Day 3: Excursions and Ministerial Meeting
• Location: Jeju Island (Hwasun Gotjawal, Sagyebeach in Jeju, Jungmun)
• Contents:
• Excursion (1) Hwasun Gotjawal (Nature Exploration)
• Participation in the Ministerial Meeting and Forum reporting results to ministers (China)
• Excursion (2) Sagyebeach Visit (Meeting with Environmental Activists)
• Excursion (3) Jungmun (Waste Plastic Upcycling Activity)
-> Day 4: Farewell and Departure
• Location: Bloom Hotel
• Contents:
• Everyone gathered together to say goodbyes and, looking forward to the next time. They reminisced about the joyful memories from the past three days, sharing stories and experiences.
[ TEMM25 YF Forum Report ]
We, youth delegates from China, Japan, and Korea, gathered for the Youth Forum of TEMM25 in Jeju Island.
The theme of Youth Forum this year is “Accelerating Transition to a Circular Economy in Plastics: Youth Transformative Action.” During the forum, we exchanged our experiences and ideas on how youths can contribute to the transition to a circular economy in plastics. On behalf of the youth delegates, WANG Mingyu and LYU Qinnuan from China would like to report on the outcomes of the Youth Forum.
First, we received a keynote speech titled “Circular Economy Implication and Challenges” from Dr. Hong, the director of the Resource Circulation Society & Economy Institute.
A youth alumna from Korea also delivered a speech, reflecting on her experiences in the environmental field and waste issues, related to the circular economy in plastics in each country.
After that, as youth delegates of China, Japan, and Korea, we introduced activities.
The Chinese youth delegates shared their theme-related actions from 3 different perspectives. Firstly, at the individual level, they proposed creative solutions to the problem of over-packaging in the courier industry and effective actions in a low-carbon conference.
Then they took Hainan province as an example on how to foster community awareness towards the plastic ban.
Finally, the case of empowering women and children to participate in plastic waste recycling advocacy and community governance in rural areas was introduced to highlight the role of youth-led organizations.
The youth representatives from Japan focus on a consumer segment that has shown little interest in environmental issues, aiming to develop practical solutions tailored to their needs. The delegates had two proposals:
1. Environmental Education School Trip initiative which provides firsthand experiences and encourages them to take action;
2. Greener’s point which is a system that incentives plastic waste reduction. After achieving domestic success, it is important to expand these initiatives into East Asia, encouraging international interaction and creating an integrated system.
The youth delegates from Korea examined Korea's initiatives to advance a circular economy through comprehensive policies addressing the full life cycle of plastics. While significant progress has been made, challenges persist, including overproduction and low material recycling rates.
The delegation's proposals emphasize the need to strengthen regulations regarding eco-design and infrastructure, provide greater support for businesses, and expand education on plastic literacy. Additionally, the delegates underscore the critical role of youth in policy-making and advocate for enhanced international cooperation, particularly among Korea, Japan, and China, to establish a sustainable circular economy model.
Through group discussions, we identified several challenges in transitioning to a circular economy in plastics. Getting attractive incentives for consumers and industry to be involved are deficient; Regulations to reduce plastic waste aren’t implemented well; Opportunities to improve public awareness of plastic issues through all generations and subjects are inadequate; Technology and information for recycling and developing alternative materials are insufficient; The categories classified as recyclable are overly broad; The LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) data lacks its reliability.
We propose the following transformative actions for establishing a sustainable circular economy in plastics: establish clear legal standards to tighten recycling categories (excluding thermal recycling from the recycling rate); increase investment to R&D for alternative types of recycling; provide technical support, subsidies to companies; engage youth and youth-led organizations into the policy-making process to ensure future-oriented decisions; and build networks among enterprises, and conduct capacity-building workshops for high-level leaders.
Finally, we want to present the following suggestions and requests to our peers and stakeholders, as well as the three Environment Ministers:
First, together, our actions can create a circular future free from plastic waste.
Second, less plastic use means more benefits for the environment and our human beings, while more actions and policies ensure less plastic dilemmas.
Third, we can shape a 'new normal' that embraces resilience and sustainability at its core to take bold action and foster innovative thinking.
First, strengthen cooperation among three countries for ocean plastic governance.
Second, allocate a dedicated quota for youth in high-level discussions, policy-making, and planning stages of plastic-related issues.
Third, enhance R&D investment to drive innovation and ensure long-term sustainability.
We fully agree that the experiences and cases we shared are extremely valuable not only to young people but also to all stakeholders in the three countries. We reach a consensus that youth have the responsibility, capability, and passion to play a crucial role in pursuing a sustainable circular economy by actively participating in initiatives, advocating for policy changes, and collaborating with various stakeholders to drive impactful solutions.
All youth delegates would like to express our sincere gratitude to TEMM25 for providing this great opportunity to share our stories and learn from each other.
Moving forward, the youth of our three countries will continue to lead in-person activities to combat plastic pollution, promote a circular economy, and take meaningful action toward building a sustainable future together.
|
|
