A group of young leaders from Kiribati, Tuvalu and Sydney’s Pacific Island community will meet with Australian politicians about the urgent need to take action on climate change, as part of the Kiribati-Australia-Tuvalu Exchange Program (KATEP) which commenced on Saturday 4 June 2016.
The program was launched in 2014 to develop the climate change advocacy skills of emerging young leaders in Kiribati and Tuvalu.
As part of the program, participants will be given the opportunity to meet Australian politicians to encourage them to support strong, effective and urgent action to address climate change.
Kiribati and Tuvalu face serious threats from climate change: rising sea levels, drought, coastal erosion, contamination of underground water and an increase in water borne diseases such as dengue fever and diarrhea.
Australia’s political leaders must act to save our neighbours in the Pacific, such as Kiribati and Tuvalu, from the devastating impacts of climate change.
The participants will meet with NSW Senator Jenny McAllister and election candidates in the Federal electorates of Kingsford Smith and Reid, including Matt Thistlethwaite MP and Craig Laundy MP.
They will also visit Newcastle to see first-hand various aspects of the coal industry, including a coal mine and coal port, and meet with climate activists from the region.
KATEP is designed to develop the confidence of young Pacific leaders by improving knowledge and skills through formal training and practical advocacy opportunities.
This year's participants are Adi Mariana Waqa, Bailey Kulapi, Kotei Temakei, Kuata Taumaheke, Maningare Bwamatang and Melaia Turagaiviu.
KATEP is coordinated by the Pacific Calling Partnership, the Edmund Rice Centre, the Kiribati Climate Action Network (KiriCAN), the Tuvalu Climate Action Network (TuCAN) and Uniting World.
KATEP meetings with Australian politicians:
Meeting with Senator Jenny McAllister
Date: Friday 10 June 2016
Time: 10am-11am
Venue: Level 21, 1 Bligh Street, Sydney
Delegation visit to Newcastle
Date: Sunday 12 June – Monday 13 June 2016
Note: Further details will be confirmed once finalised.
Meet the Candidates Forum – Reid electorate (organised with Caritas Australia, Micah and Uniting World)
Date: Wednesday 15 June 2016
Time: 2:30pm-4pm
Venue: Edmund Rice Centre, 15 Henley Road, Homebush West
Guests invited include Liberal candidate Craig Laundy MP and Labor candidate Angelo Tsirekas
Meet the Candidates Forum – Kingsford Smith electorate (organised with Caritas Australia, Micah and Uniting World)
Date: Friday 17 June 2016
Time: 2:30pm-4pm
Venue: St Brigid’s Parish Hall, cnr Brook St and Waltham St, Coogee
Guests invited include Labor candidate Matt Thistlethwaite MP and Liberal candidate Michael Feneley
For further information about the KATEP program contact:
Phil Glendenning 0419 013 758
Jill Finnane (02) 8762 4200