University of Queensland law student Milan Gandhi is bound for Peru, where he will rub shoulders with world leaders tackling vital issues around climate change.
Mr Gandhi is one of only four young Australians selected by non-profit organisation Global Voices for its Australian youth delegation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 20th Conference of the Parties in Peru in December.
Global Voices, which aims to provide opportunities for young Australians to engage with international policy at home and abroad, is hosting Mr Gandhi’s Peru visit, while the UQ TC Beirne School of Law is providing financial support.
“I look forward to witnessing international negotiations between countries, and perhaps rubbing shoulders with world leaders,” Mr Gandhi said.
“It will give me fantastic insights into the UN and international law-making.
“And I will be attending the convention as a deeply concerned person who hopes to see world leaders come closer to a global solution to climate change.
“I am passionate about the need for the world to develop plans to cope with climate change.
“This is a gravely important topic for residents of small island states who are at risk of losing their homes and land to rising sea levels.”
Global Voices – established in 2011 – holds regular events and research and development opportunities in Australia and coordinates youth delegations to important diplomatic forums abroad.
This month Mr Gandhi visited Canberra for a pre-departure briefing which included meetings with Governor-General Peter Cosgrove, Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Environment Minister Greg Hunt, Opposition Environment, Climate Change and Water spokesman Mark Butler, Greens leader Senator Christine Milne, Australia’s Ambassador for Climate Change Justin Lee, and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Deputy Secretary Gillian Bird.
Media: Milan Gandhi, 0433 342 597, milan.gandhi@uqconnect.edu.au, or Nadine Davidson-Wall, +61 7 3346 9263, n.davidson-wall@law.uq.edu.au.
