Joining voices with Youth for Climate Diplomacy in Southeastern Europe
Posted on: October 20, 2025 ,
Category: Past Events
The 2nd Regional Conference of the Youth Climate Diplomacy Forum (YCDF), held under the auspices of the UNESCO Chair in Climate Diplomacy at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, took place on October 17–18, 2025, bringing together over 100 participants from across Southeastern Europe—including Greece, Albania, Serbia, Romania, Slovenia, and Kosovo. The diverse group of students, young professionals, emerging leaders, and civil society organizations gathered in Athens to exchange ideas and strengthen regional cooperation on climate diplomacy.
The conference opened on Friday, October 17, with inspiring keynote addresses by Lefteris Arapakis, Co-founder of Enaleia and UN Young Champion of the Earth (Europe); Professor Emmanuela Dousi, holder of the UNESCO Chair in Climate Diplomacy; Marian Wendt, Director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation for Greece and Cyprus; and Dimitris Kollias, Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy and European Climate Pact Ambassador.
During her coordination of the session, Rania Papadopoulou, Chair of YCDF, highlighted the unifying spirit of the forum:
“YCDF transcends borders, creating a stronger and more resilient region in Southeast Europe. We, the new generation, are not waiting for change — we are the change.”
On Saturday, October 18, participants engaged in panels and interactive workshops focusing on climate governance, the green and just transition, energy diplomacy, regional cooperation, and youth-driven climate action. The discussions underscored the growing role of young people in addressing the climate crisis and shaping a sustainable, collaborative future for the region.
A highlight of the day was the participation of Eleni Maistrou, Scientific Coordinator of the Athens Heritage Hub and President of the Council of Architectural Heritage at ELLINIKI ETAIRIA – Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage. Speaking on the panel “Civil Society’s Role in Climate Governance,” Maistrou emphasized the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration in Southeastern Europe, noting that effective climate action requires the engagement of all stakeholders—from policymakers and civil society to academic and youth networks.
Representing the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Athens, Eleni Maistrou also stressed the value of regional networking and cross-border cooperation, especially among young people, drawing connections to youth initiatives developed within the European Heritage Hub project. Her intervention highlighted how heritage, environment, and climate action are deeply interconnected, and how the Athens Heritage Hub actively fosters collaboration at this intersection.
The YCDF Conference ultimately served as a powerful platform for dialogue, cooperation, and youth empowerment, reaffirming that a united Southeastern Europe can lead the way toward a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.
Information on Youth Climate Diplomacy Forum: here
