Yi Ying Teh was one of our inspiring youth moderators of the Youth in Southeast Asia special session at the Forests Asia Summit, held in Jakarta in May this year. During the youth session, Yi Ying led a series of roundtable discussions on forest governance issues in Southeast Asia, and took centre stage as Master of Ceremonies for the plenary sessions on day 2.
Ahead of the youth activities at December’s Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) in Peru, which will focus on building youth skills and knowledge to become leaders and effectively contribute to discussions, we catch up with Yi Ying to find out what she learnt from her leadership role at Forests Asia, and her advice for upcoming youth leaders and participants in the 2014 GLF. Register to attend the youth session here.
- Where were you with your career (this can include study, plus any additional work or research you were doing) before the Forests Asia youth session? What’s changed the most for you in the last 12 months? What projects (again, can be study, professional, or extra-curricula based) are you currently working on?
I was studying Environmental Sciences and Policy at Duke University (and continue to do so) before I attended the Forests Asia youth session. Throughout my time in the US, I have been finding ways to connect my courses with the Southeast Asia region. In my climate change adaptation class, I was able to work with a Masters’ student to examine the impact of climate change in Singapore and critically analyze current strategies. Forests Asia Summit provided me another platform to think about critical environmental issues in Southeast Asia. As I wrote my application and prepared briefs as well as blogposts when I was eventually selected, I deepened my understanding of land tenure and governance issues in the region.
Since the Forests Asia Summit, I have been more connected to happenings in Southeast Asia and in forestry. I followed the Indonesian elections closely, recognizing the far-reaching consequences of its outcome on the peatlands in Indonesia and beyond.
I am currently participating in a Study Abroad climate change programme with the School for International Training. I will be exploring the religious response to climate change in places like San Francisco and Vietnam. Many religions or traditions have a strong environmental ethics, which is powerful when evoked to galvanize action concerning climate change.
- What was the most concrete benefit or opportunity you gained by participating in the Forests Asia youth session?
Meeting inspiring youth and thought leaders, who I still keep in touch with through various forms of social media. I also managed to re-connect with a few friends from past climate change negotiations. These acquaintances keep me up to date on the multiple environmental issues they work with and also inspire me to continue working in this sphere, knowing that there are passionate people working alongside me.
- Do you have any advice for the youth leaders and participants in the upcoming youth session in Peru? (this could be related to their participation, career advice that you have received etc).
My advice for the youth leaders in the upcoming youth session in Peru is to not forget their roots. Marina Cherbonnier from YPARD, one of my mentors for the Forests Asia Summit, mentioned to me that some youth go on to greater opportunities but ironically fail to include the voice of youth when they are in positions of power. It reminded me that to whom much is given, much is expected.
For the here and now, I would advise youth to be active in promoting environmental change in whatever capacity they have. I used to be intimidated by the phD holders and powerful people. I thought that I only had something to offer if I had a university degree or a certain area of technical expertise. But the more knowledge I accumulated, the more I realized that solutions already exist, they are simply not being implemented. For social change to happen, youth need to speak up and speak out. If you are an artist, make art. If you are a writer, ignite change with the power of the pen. If you are a leader, organize!
This belongs to a blog series profiling youth leadership in landscapes. Tell us your youth story – submit blogs to landscapes.youth@gmail.com
