The Generation 2100: Student-Led Climate Advocacy Forum gathered students at Auckland University of Technology’s City Campus for a day of inspiration, cultural grounding, and practical learning under the theme “Awaken. Building Network. Spark Collaboration. Drive Meaningful Change!”. The forum created a platform for young people to connect, learn, and commit to climate action, underpinned by the values of kaitiakitanga (stewardship and guardianship), whanaungatanga (building relationships), manaakitanga (hospitality and care), and aroha (love and compassion).
The forum is described as “more than an event, it’s a movement,” calling on students to see themselves as leaders of today. Gratitude was also extended to Gitty Yee and the Tuvalu Climate Action Network for providing a powerful opening video that sparked awareness about the urgent realities faced by one of the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world.
The keynote session set a powerful tone.
Jessica Vandermeer acknowledged the emotional toll of climate advocacy but urged participants to continually reassess their “whys” to stay the course. She spotlighted Pacific Climate Warriors, a youth-led grassroots network operating across 18 Pacific Island nations and diaspora communities, whose rallying cry, “We are not drowning. We are fighting,” calls for authentic representation of Pacific cultures and histories on the climate frontlines.
Yasmin Kidd made a passionate plea for climate justice as the foundation of resilience, stressing that equitable and inclusive solutions must center on the needs and knowledge of the most vulnerable.
Esther O’Donnell reminded participants that leadership takes many forms and that even small, local acts such as establishing a community library can create ripple effects that reinforce sustainability principles like sharing and waste reduction. She concluded by outlining practical first steps, inspiring participants to engage in local elections and embrace volunteerism as catalysts for change.
A particularly memorable moment came when nine-year-old Helena spoke about her mission to protect turtles and the ocean, inspiring the audience with stories of picking up rubbish to prevent it from reaching waterways. Her message reinforced the forum’s core belief that small acts can grow into transformative change.
This theme continued as AUT’s Green Impact staff and student teams shared practical examples of fostering behavioural change, with Louanna Johnny from Saint Lucia representing Manaaki Sustainability and highlighting how even modest steps can create meaningful environmental impact. To conclude the morning session, another Manaaki scholar from Ecuador, Nohely Loayza, who recently returned from the Global Peace Chain Summit in Sydney 2025, introduced participants to the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Framework as a guide for responsible, systemic climate action.
In the afternoon of 1 August 2025, workshops offered hands-on learning opportunities. Climate Fresk by Climate Club Aotearoa engaged students in a collaborative, science-based exploration of climate change causes and solutions, while Take the Jump – Kia Māia Te Peke, a grassroots movement encouraging seven lifestyle shifts and five guiding foundations, inspired participants to adopt practical, joyful changes that reduce environmental footprints.
The #NoNaturalDisaster workshop by AUT ReNDES, led by Damithri Chathumani, prompted participants to rethink the root causes of disasters, highlighting that hazards like cyclones and earthquakes are not disasters in themselves, but become so through the complex vulnerabilities and circumstances within society.
Reflecting on the day, Lucy McKenzie, Head of AUT Sustainability, said,
“Generation 2100 shows the leadership and collaboration we need to face the climate crisis head-on. Empowering students now ensures a healthier, more resilient planet tomorrow.”
Participants left the forum with new perspectives, strengthened networks, and a shared commitment to take purposeful action, proving that when culture, knowledge, and community come together, young leaders can drive change that ripples far beyond the university walls.
About the Author
Chrisel Delmas
Chrisel Delmas is a Manaaki scholar and organiser of the Generation 2100: Student-Led Climate Advocacy Forum at Auckland University of Technology. She is studying for a Master of Disaster Risk Management and Development, focusing on integrating Indigenous perspectives into climate resilience and sustainability.
