One month ago, we concluded the seventh ReGeneration Week on the Åland Islands. A record amount of 130 youth participants gathered in the youth centre Uncan in Mariehamn.
Photo: Hülya Tokur Ehres/ReGeneration 2030
We don’t really know what it means to live in a better future. It is easier to talk about what needs to go - fossil fuels, overconsumption, and the aim of constant economic growth. But what do we do when we get there? After the 2023 ReGeneration Week, the volunteers in the RGW24 content working group concluded that we need to imagine a better future together. Not the unrealistic utopia, but an actual future after we won the fight. ReGeneration Weel 2024 focused on topics such as climate justice, democracy, doughnut economics, and many more, allowing participants to broaden their perspectives and unlearn biased concepts, putting the theme ‘Rethink, Reimagine, Reclaim’ to life.
Aurora Borealis an unexpected highlight
Meeting new friends, peers, fellow activists and having fun stood out in participants' reflections as one of the main highlights of the week. The climate fight is heavy on all of us, so these moments of collective joy strengthen us to continue our work. On this special occasion, the aurora borealis happened to be showing during one of the evenings, which was a first for many of the participants and made the overall ReGeneration Week experience even more special and joyful for everyone participating.
Photo: Alva Danielsson and Alexander Ahl/ReGeneration 2030
Demands to regional leaders for COP29
Systemic change within the planetary boundaries, with a safe and just space for all across the globe, is still possible. And we have all the knowledge and the tools to get there. ReGeneration Week 2024 was summed up with the adoption of an Open letter addressed to the political leaders of our region, where the youth summarises their demands to be put forward with COP29 approaching.
Photo: Alexander Ahl/ReGeneration 2030
Acknowledgments
Fighting for climate justice entails so much work without quick and visible results, yet is essential to the movement. The trend of climate change can be discouraging and depressing, which is why these bright and cheerful moments and spaces together are so crucial. We find courage and solitude in each other, we learn skills and strategies, and we go back home to do the work with renewed capacity and inspiration.
Thank you to all ReGeneration 2030 team members for the preparations and planning that made ReGeneration Week 2024 possible. Thank you to our funders and partners who provided us with the means to even do this in the first place. And the biggest thank you to each and every participant, session leader, and volunteer who came and made this year's week the inspiring event it was.
Till next year!
Photo: Ugnė Budriūnaitė/ReGeneration 2030
Author: Alva Danielsson
Editor: Ugnė Budriūnaitė
ReGeneration 2030 is a democratic and youth-led organisation, mobilising youth climate activists and movements from the Nordic and Baltic Sea region. Want to join us? Fill out a volunteer application form here.
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