YPSEA 2010:

Southeast Asia
Regional Conference

Understanding the Science of Climate Change, its Impacts on

Southeast Asia,
And Identifying the Roles of Young Progressives

17-21 September 2010

Calamba City, Laguna, Philippines

Organized by the Young Progressives Southeast Asia (YPSEA)

In Partnership with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES)

Background

The climate crisis

Climate change has become one of the most urgent – and also among the most
intensely debated – global challenges of the century. Despite vigorous counter-claims,
scientific climate studies have linked the changing climate and global warming to the
recurring and intensifying extreme weather events that have adversely altered the
environments from the Arctic regions to sub-Saharan Africa, from the world’s small
islands to Asia's river deltas, among others. Reports have further shown that climate
change and the rising global temperature will continue to pose great risks to lives and
livelihood across the continents, which are seen to impact heavily on migration
patterns, labor, food and water security, spread of diseases, housing resources,
biodiversity, agriculture and forest issues – all of which can be reduced, quite plainly, to
the core issues of vulnerability and survival of people and their natural environments.
The potency and breadth of its impacts indeed qualify climate change as an issue of
crisis proportions.

The latest Assessment Report (AR4) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) is significant as it explicitly links critical ‘anthropogenic’ (man-made) factors to
what the Panel refers to as the “unequivocal… warming of the climate system.” In
2010, a newer report released by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) – showing data not available to the IPCC in 2007 – reaffirms, in
stronger terms and evidence, an era of consistent warming.

A “red” Southeast Asia

Mapmakers of the Singapore-based group Economy and Environment Program for
Southeast Asia (EEPSEA), using an IPCC assessment framework, produced a snapshot
of a “red” Southeast Asia (link: http://www.idrc.ca/uploads/user-
S/12586674031Climate_Change_map_final.pdf [released in 2009]), where “red” sections of
the map means risk and vulnerability to climate change effects for each and every

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corner of the region. This image, perhaps more than any written word on the issue,
helped emphasize the status of Southeast Asia as a ‘climate hotspot.’

While the red image is neither unexpected nor particularly surprising – given the
topography of coastal countries and island regions and their susceptibility to shifting
coastlines and rising sea levels – the EEPSEA study is noteworthy for underscoring the
relevance of adaptive capacity (defined as the “measure of local human resilience, and
is a function of socio-economic factors such as income, literacy, life expectancy,
poverty, and inequality, as well as of technology and infrastructure”) of countries and
communities that affect vulnerability scores in relation to climate hazards.

A high adaptive capacity, the study states, can moderate the vulnerability score of
regions that are susceptible to climate hazards. For countries with low adaptive
capacities, this spells the potential amplification of socio-economic burdens already
borne by poor families and sectors and additional pressure on the capacity of
governments to finance safety-net budgets – such as those for healthcare, water
infrastructures, retraining services for employment, disaster management, etc. – that
will be needed as more families succumb to climate-induced developmental challenges.
For Southeast Asia, an ADB study on the ‘economics of climate change’ (2009) notes :
“(the region) is one of the world’s most vulnerable regions to climate change, due to its
long coastlines, high concentration of population and economic activity in coastal
areas, and heavy reliance on agriculture, fisheries, forestry and other natural
resources.”

The need for urgent action

Given the global and regional climate context, two critical questions have been framed
thus: what will we do about it, and how soon must our interventions be done to be
effective? These questions are addressed to state parties and governments as much as
to ordinary citizens or citizens’ networks who can and should influence policies and
directions affecting them.

Globally, the shared goal of addressing "dangerous" human interference with the
climate system is expressed via the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC), which was opened for signature in 1992 and adhered to by 192
countries by 2009. This non-mandatory treaty however needed further “updates” or
“protocols” towards fleshing out what could be ‘more binding’ agreements.

The process of coming up with more binding international instruments is not an easy
one, as reports of recent talks have shown. The latest of the UNFCCC talks – held in
Copenhagen in 2009, also known as the 15th Session of the Conference of the Parties or
COP15 – was adjudged as chaotic, deadlocked and resulted in a controversial Accord
which was severely criticized by many mainly for the “low level of ambition” of
developed, industrialized countries, for technically “weakening” the Kyoto Protocol
(considered the principal UNFCCC protocol) by reverting to a voluntary pledge-based
regime, for redefining support of developed to developing countries in conditional
terms, among others. The talks were also hit for being undemocratic and inadequate.

Clearly, while the climate agenda is recognized as urgent and important, serious
‘binding’ action is not easy to fit together given the interests of individual countries and
interest groups. Climate activists take the debate even further and are pushing to
mainstream discussions on the ‘ethical dimensions’ of climate change – through the
concept of ‘climate justice’ – anchored on the conviction that those most responsible
for climate change are not the same as those most vulnerable to its effects.

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ASEAN responses so far
Among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – the 10-
member ‘club of governments’ in the region – broad and often considered sketchy
statements may be surmised from their ‘joint statements’ so far on climate change.
ASEAN cooperation on climate change is primarily guided by the ASEAN Socio-Cultural
Community (ASCC) Blueprint (Section D10 on Responding to Climate Change and
Addressing Its Impacts), which calls for promoting “strategies to ensure that climate
change initiatives lead to economically vibrant and environment friendly ASEAN
Community taking into account win-win synergy between climate change and the
economic development.” The actions called for in the Blueprint are being fleshed out
through several other statements and agreements. Under the purview of ASEAN Senior
Officials on Environment (ASOEN), an ASEAN Climate Change Initiative (ACCI) is being
developed to provide a regional framework on cooperation and coordination of climate
change issues in ASEAN, and an ASEAN Working Group on Climate Change (AWGCC) to
be established as a mechanism to implement the ACCI.

The group’s “Statement on Joint Response to Climate Change” (April 2010) affirms the
UNFCC and vowed to "work together to secure a legally binding agreement” to limit the
increase in global temperature, but this has been criticized as being suggestive of a
compromise to integrate the non-binding Copenhagen Accord into the UNFCCC process.
The statement at the close of the 28th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) is
another move considered most alarming by critics as it reaffirms the ASEAN
commitment towards strengthening efforts “to address climate change and enhancing
ASEAN energy cooperation towards low-carbon and green economy,” but also talks of
“efforts to strengthen gradually, on a voluntary and non-binding basis, regional
capacity building in civilian nuclear energy power generation for regulators, operators
and relevant educational institutions.”

Further, climate advocates critical of the ASEAN’s usual diplomatic language went as
far as saying that stronger action is needed as ASEAN could be also be considered a
significant emitter if deforestation is included, and that important regional issues – like
adaptation strategies, energy efficiency and technology cooperation and REDD
(Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) – should be raised
with the ASEAN no less than with ‘bigger Asia’ like China or India.

Among Southeast Asian peoples’ networks, a general concern with the ASEAN and its
responses to climate change is that a small, select number of regional powers would try
to direct others in a top-down manner, rather than by norms of deliberation and
cooperation, which would include far-reaching consultations with citizens’ groups.
ASEAN leaders’ call for richer nations to provide them with "scaled-up" financial help to
combat climate change effects has also been suspected of being a case where
governments are ‘cashing in’ on the climate crisis instead of sorting out concrete and
effective interventions for the safety and welfare of their citizens. After all, the
Copenhagen deal commits rich countries to paying out around 30 billion dollars in total
over the next three years and sets a potential figure of 100 billion dollars annually by
2020 for climate change action.

Many questions
There are indeed many and complex questions. Policy choices – sifted through multiple
layers of dialogues and negotiations – have ranged from mitigation to adaptation
options. Mitigation options target the ‘slowing down’ of the man-made climate change
processes (lowering GHG levels) to avoid or at least delay many of its impacts. There
are those who agree on the call for more energy efficiency and ‘decarbonized’
industries but are wary of pursuing the ‘losing battle of targeted CO2 emission cuts’

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and bat instead for more spending on adaptation. Adaptation options are premised on
the need to reduce the impacts of climate change and increase resilience. This can
include shifts in farming practices and preferences, urban relocation and zoning, and
ultimately, making people and communities ‘armed and ready’ to face the extreme
changes of the climate.

Engaging young people

As among the most vulnerable populations facing the real and potential effects of the
climate crisis, young people ought to play a crucial role in efforts to address it. Across
the world, it is generally accepted that any national or regional strategy addressing
climate change must include engaging young people as a critical element.

At a 2007 conference organized by the UN Department of Public Information (DPI) in

collaboration with the NGO/DPI, on "Climate Change: How It Impacts Us All," young
people were recognized as “the next generation which inhabits the Earth and inherits
the responsibility to protect the planet, in fighting the complex scientific problems and
social quandaries presented by climate change.” Thus, education represents one of the
most effective tools for young people to combat the destructive potential of the climate
crisis and to cultivate an international understanding among them. This was echoed by
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, in his message at the 2008 International Youth
Day, said that young people who are adept at spreading new habits and technologies
are well placed to contribute to the fight against climate change, and that young
people “should therefore be given a chance to take an active part in the decision-
making of local, national and global levels. They can actively support initiatives that will
lead to the passage of far-reaching legislation."

Since COP15, young people have joined their voices and actions in demanding climate
justice globally, and in demanding that their regions are not left behind. There have
been many youth-driven, youth-run initiatives that aim to contribute to “galvanize a
movement” addressing climate change. For Southeast Asia, given the incredible pace
of the climate policy debate as well as the profound implications of domestic and
regional discussions, the same need for information workshops and venues to discuss
climate change among young people must urgently be met.

Workshop Objectives
Building on the YPSEA national forums on climate change (5 countries), the regional
conference workshop will focus on the theme: “Understanding the Science of Climate
Change, its Impacts on Southeast Asia and Identifying the Role of Young Progressives.”

Specifically, this conference aims to:

• Level-off the participants on the understanding of the science and impacts of

climate change on their respective countries and in the region as a whole
• Share the highlights and learnings from the YPSEA national forums on climate
change (5 countries);
• Clarify the main features of emerging policy agenda in the regional (ASEAN level)
and the implications of these on national policy directions;
• Level-off on the role of progressive young people and progressive movements in
building a people-defined framework on climate change action;
• Continue and deepen the dialogue among young progressives and other
stakeholders – both at the regional and country levels – on climate change
issues

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 • Identify potential climate change agenda with local governments
• Draft an YPSEA statement to register the voice of young progressives on the
issue
• Propose youth agenda for the ASEAN processes (e.g., the ASEAN Climate Change
Commission)

Target Groups
The workshop will bring together 10-15 representatives of the member-organizations of
YPSEA as well as local (Philippine) young people’s organizations and climate change
activists. The first and the last days will be mainly organizational meetings that will be
limited only to YPSEA members.

Date
17-21 September 2010
Venue
TBC, Philippines (outside Manila?)

Language
Discussions will be in English.

Expected results
- Elements of YPSEA Climate Change Agenda and Campaign Plan
- Policy recommendations to the ASEAN official and CSO processes
- YPSEA statement on climate change
- YPSEA Network Plans 2010-2013

Expenses
FES will cover travel costs (economy airfare) of YPSEA members and invited guests and
resource persons, meals and accommodations for the duration of the conference, as
well as costs for visa (if needed). Participants should notify the organizers by e-mail
regarding specific dietary restrictions. Other personal expenses such as hotel telephone
bills, mini-bar, laundry services, are not covered. Please note that the hotel may ask for
a credit card or cash deposit as a security for these costs.

Logistics and Organization:

Gus Cerdeña: gus@fes.org.ph

Programme Coordinator
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Philippine Office
Unit 2601 Discovery Suites, Ortigas Center,
Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel: +63 2 634 6919 Fax: +63 2 632 0697
Mobile: +63 918 9405505

Cherry-Anne Matriz: cheanne.matriz@gmail.com

Coordinator – YPSEA Pilipinas
Movement for the Advancement of Student Power (MASP)
Tel: +63 2 433-1734
Mobile: +63 9184128622

Organizers

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YPSEA (Young Progressives Southeast Asia) is a network of young people’s
organizations – from social movement organizations, students’/ school-based groups,
youth-run/ youth-servicing NGOs, civil society organizations, youth wings of democratic
socialist/ social democratic parties and community-based youth groups – dedicated to
promoting progressive politics and engaging in activism in Southeast Asia, and
committed to the goal of improving, strengthening and sustaining the political
participation of young people in their respective countries and at the regional level.
This work is being done with consideration to the larger framework of the varying levels
and shifting quality of democratization in the region. In its founding assembly in 2006,
the network agreed to be bound by the following broad principles:

a. …that meaningful participation of young people is important in deepening

democracy in the Southeast Asian region;

b. … that respect for, recognition and promotion of human rights, fundamental

freedoms, people empowerment, cultural diversity, transparency and
accountability in governance, and gender equality are essential to genuine
democracy;

c. … that equality, social justice, just and equal redistribution of wealth, and
sustainability should be the foundation of development;

d. …that solidarity strengthens peoples’ struggles, fosters regional

understanding, and promotes international cooperation and peace; and,
e. … that participatory processes and critical thinking in advancing democracy,
equality and progressive politics.

To date, there are 15 member-organizations from Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia,

Thailand, Timor Leste and Philippines. The YPSEA since its inception has been a
cooperation partner of the FES, as it was in an FES-organized conference of young
people in 2004 that the idea of a Southeast Asian network on promoting genuine
political participation of young people came into fruition.

The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) is a German non-profit, private, political and
educational foundation committed to the concepts and basic values of social
democracy. The FES promotes democracy and social justice within the context of
national societies as well as international cooperation. Its projects give special focus on:

• Promoting socio-political dialogue between various groups, in the understanding

that peace and democracy can only prevail on the basis of sharing and
compromising;
• Empowering marginalized social sectors and groups to represent their interests
in areas of socio-economic and socio-political decision-making;
• Exchange programs and international cooperation to build awareness of global
interdependence of states and societies and the need for multilateralism with fair
participation.

The FES conducts and supports activities in more than 100 countries. While its
headquarters is located in Bonn and Berlin, it maintains a network of branch offices in
some 80 countries.

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 (Draft) CONFERENCE PROGRAM
As of 08 September 2010

TIME TOPIC / SESSION SESSION SPEAKER / FACILITATOR

OBJECTIVES
DAY 01 (17 September)
AM - Arrival of international participants and / local participants
- Travel to conference venue

12.00 – LUNCH BREAK

13.30
13.30 – Welcome and Opening Remarks Cherry-Anne Matriz,
13.45 YPSEA-Philippines
Gus Cerdeña, FES
Philippines

13.45 – Activity: “YPSEA Facebook: What’s your status?”

14.30 Introduction of participants and organizations, Conference Overview,
Objective Setting, Leveling-off, Expectations Checking
*Participants will be asked write their current status and their expectation/s on
the mock-up “YPSEA face book profile page.” If someone’s expectation is the
same as another, one just has to ‘like’ the posted status & expectation.
*When everybody is done sharing their posts, the facilitator will show the profile
information page of YPSEA showing the objectives of the 5-day regional
conference and the 5-day final conference program and will explain the overview
and rationale of the activity and the conference theme.

14.30 – Coffee Break

15.00
15.00 – Keynote Address Akbayan Rep. Arlene
15.30 "Challenges of Climate Change and What (Kaka) Bag-ao, 15th
Should be the Agenda of the Young Congress of the
Progressives in the Region” Philippines

15.30 – Coffee Break

16.00
16.00 – Country Caucuses
18.00 Regional Caucus

18.00 – Dinner
19.00
19.00 – Special Cases showing the Impacts of Climate Change to your country
20.00 (Report on the result of climate change national forum)
*Speaker for the Session 1.1 will be invited to listen to the sharing / reporting.

20.00 – Welcome Campfire

22.00 (Country Report: Updates on the National Situation)

DAY 02 (18 September)

08.00 – Energizer & Recap
08.30

08.30 – Session 1.1: To provide Atty. Tony La Viña,

09.30 Understanding Climate participants an Chairman of the REDD

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TIME TOPIC / SESSION SESSION SPEAKER / FACILITATOR
OBJECTIVES
Change Issue – Its introduction on the negotiations at UNFCCC
meaning, the IPCC meaning and science COP, Dean of Ateneo
Report, Effects and (main points of the School of Governance &
Impact to the Region IPCC report) of Philippine Delegate at
climate change. The UNFCCC COP
session also intends Conference
to focus on the
effects and actual
impacts of climate
change to the region
to divulge what is at
stake on the issue of
climate change.

9.30 – 10.30 Session 1.2: To provide an Atty. Tony La Viña

Understanding Climate overview on the
Change Issue – Global global discussions,
Debates about the points of debates
Climate Change about climate change
situation (i.e. global warming
vs. cooling;
anthropogenic vs.
“normal” climate
changes) to broaden
participants’ analysis
on the issue of
climate change.

10.30 – Fishbowl discussion with the speaker on (Session 1.1 and 1.2)
11.30 Understanding Climate change issue

11.30 – Lunch Break

13.30
13.30 – 17.00 Teambuilding-workshop: IPCC (Island of Prisoners, Crisis and Catastrophe)
Challenge! 
*Mechanics of the game / workshop will be discussed beforehand.
17.00 – Coffee Break
17.30
17.30 – Sharing-reflection
18.30
18.30 – Dinner
20.00
DAY 03 (19 September)
08.30 – Energizer, Recap
09.00
09.00 – World Café
10.30 *Group topics should be in line with the theme
of the conference. Guide questions will be
provided beforehand.
10.30 – Input discussion on This session on the Lidy Nacpil, International
11.30 Session 2.2 – Politics of ‘Politics of Climate Coordinator of Jubilee
Climate Change – Change - Meaning South, Vice-President of

8
TIME TOPIC / SESSION SESSION SPEAKER / FACILITATOR
OBJECTIVES
Meaning and Issues and Issues about Freedom from Debt
about Climate Justice Climate Justice’ Coalition
aims to disclose
and discourse the
meaning and
principles of
climate justice to
the participants
and surface some
of its main issues
such as carbon
trading, climate
and trade, climate
financing, climate
debt, and its
impacts as well, as
it intend to
challenge the
young progressives
to act on the key
issues of climate
change.
11.30 – Fishbowl discussion with the speaker on Session 2.2 – Politics of Climate
12.30 Change – Meaning and Issues about Climate Justice
12.30 – Lunch
13.30
13.30 – Panel Forum on Session This session about ASEAN Climate Change
15.30 2.1: Politics of Climate the ‘Politics of Officer
Change – Discussions at Climate Change’
the Global Level and seeks to tackle
Regional Level main points and
key issues on the
discussions at the
global and regional
(Southeast Asia)
level about climate
change by
presenting the
highlights and
outcomes of the
climate change
conference in
Copenhagen,
ASEAN level
meetings and
declarations about
climate change and
the current state of
negotiations and
make the
participants be able
to understand its

9
TIME TOPIC / SESSION SESSION SPEAKER / FACILITATOR
OBJECTIVES
meaning and
impact to the
region and to the
future generation.
15.30 – Coffee Break
16.00
16.30 – Youth Initiatives on Climate Change and Adrian Yeo Eng Kang -
17.30 COP15 Malaysian Youth Climate Justice
Network

17.30 – 1st part of YPSEA Network meeting To be chaired by Regional

19.00 Coordinator Top Nattawat
19.00 Dinner

DAY 04 (20 September)

09.00 – Energizer, Recap
09.30
09.30 – Session 2.3: (Fish Bowl)
12.00 Politics of Climate
Change - Laws and
Policy-proposals related
to Climate Change and
its Implications
*The speakers will be
asked to prepare a 30-
minute presentation of
their topic-discussion.
12.00 – Lunch Break
13.00
13.00 – Session 3.1:
14.30 Looking Forward - Good
Practices on Climate
Change Advocacy:
An Introduction to the
basic facets of fair and
effective climate finance
in the Philippines and in
Southeast Asia
To familiarize the
participants on Representative
some of the laws (Commissioner) from
and policy- Philippine Climate
proposals related to Change Commission
climate change, its
loopholes and Isagani Serrano,
weaknesses, President of Philippine
effectiveness and / Rural Reconstruction
or ineffectiveness Movement (PRRM)
and its implications
to the environment
and to the
vulnerable groups
and sectors of the
society.
To share some Red Constantino,
ideas, concepts and Executive Director,
practices on Institute for Climate and
addressing climate Sustainable Cities (ICSC)
change; to show
concrete actions as
a response to the
climate crisis.

14.30 – Global Emissions Berthold Leimbach, FES-

15.30 Trading: Is this a solution Philippines Resident
to the climate challenge? Representative

15.30 – Coffee Break

16.00

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TIME TOPIC / SESSION SESSION SPEAKER / FACILITATOR
OBJECTIVES
16.00 – Session 3.2: Looking Climate global Esperanza Garcia,
16.30 Forward - Challenges of youth leader will Director of Global
Climate Crisis to young share and present Warming & Climate
progressives via video the Change Initiatives for
challenges of the International Youth
climate crisis to Council, Filipino Youth
young progressives Delegate to the UNFCCC
as she shows COP Conference,
efforts and actions Founder of Philippine
being undertaken Youth Climate
by the youth Movement
leaders at the other
side of the world to
stress the
importance and
relevance of
seriously engaging
such advocacy and
responding on it
collectively at the
national, regional
and global level.
16.30 – Workshop: YPSEA Conference statement on Climate Change
18.00 Caravan on “What issues and concerns related to climate change do we
share in common as young progressives?”
How do these positions manifest in our principles and values?
• Democracy
• Equality and Social Justice
• International Solidarity & Regional Cooperation
• Progressive Politics

18.00 – Meeting of the Drafting Committee to finalize and furnish the YPSEA
19.00 Statement on Climate Change

19.00 Solidarity Night

DAY 05 (21 September): Organizational Meeting (YPSEA Members only)
08.30 – Energizer and Recap
09.00
09.00 – Input Discussion on This session about Atty. Zelda Soriano,
11.00 Session 2.1: Politics of the ‘Politics of ASEAN Political Adviser
Climate Change – Climate Change’ of Greenpeace
Discussions at the Global seeks to tackle Southeast Asia
Level and Regional Level main points and
key issues on the
discussions at the
global and regional
(Southeast Asia)
level about climate
change by
presenting the
highlights and
outcomes of the

11
TIME TOPIC / SESSION SESSION SPEAKER / FACILITATOR
OBJECTIVES
climate change
conference in
Copenhagen,
ASEAN level
meetings and
declarations about
climate change and
the current state of
negotiations and
make the
participants be able
to understand its
meaning and
impact to the
region and to the
future generation.
11.00 – Fishbowl Discussion
12.00
12.00 – Lunch Break
13.30
13.30 – Election of Executive Committee and Regional Machris Cabreros / Gus
14.30 Coordinator Cerdeña

14.30 – (2nd part) YPSEA Network Meeting To be chaired by the

17.00 *Agenda and program to be finalized by the YPSEA new Regional
regional ExeComm Coordinator and the
Regional Executive
Committee Members

17.00 Closing Remarks New YPSEA Regional

Coordinator

Departure of Local Participants

September 22, 2010

AM - Departure of International Participants

Facilitators: Ninian Sumadia (MASP), Alvin Quintans (SCAP), Adonis Elumbre (Akbayan
Youth)
Documenters: Jan Dacumos and Helen Paulino

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