Guimarães Reflects on Youth Participation in the Climate Transition
Guimarães will host the Azul Conference next Friday, 25 September, on the theme “Young People and the Ecological Transition of Cities”. The event, which marks National Sustainability Day and is part of the Guimarães 26 – European Green Capital programme, will take place at 2.30 pm at the Landscape Laboratory.
Participants will include municipal representatives, teachers and researchers, with keynote contributions from João Manuel Esteves, Secretary of State for the Environment; Ricardo Araújo, Mayor of Guimarães; and Carlos Ribeiro, President of the Landscape Laboratory.
Youth involvement in the climate transition is essential to building more sustainable, inclusive and innovative communities. With this in mind, the event aims to reflect on the role of younger generations in shaping cities that respond to the climate and environmental challenges of our time.
The conference will also seek to discuss and promote the active participation of young people in planning and decision-making processes, bringing new perspectives and solutions that reflect the needs and aspirations of future generations and contribute to cities that are more adaptable, resilient and fair.
The programme will open with a welcome session featuring Ricardo Araújo, Mayor of Guimarães; Sónia Sapage, Deputy Director of Público; and João Manuel Esteves, Secretary of State for the Environment. This will be followed by a keynote address from Isabel Menezes, Full Professor at the Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences of the University of Porto, who will explore youth participation and how young people’s voices are taken into account in shaping a more sustainable future.
The conference will continue with two panel discussions. The first, “New Generations, New Decisions”, will bring together Carla Malafaia, from ClimActiC and CIVITAS; Isabel Ferreira, Guimarães City Council’s Councillor for Youth; and Victoria Rampazzo, Senior ESG Consultant at KPMG Portugal and Project Manager at Youth Climate Leaders Portugal. The discussion will be moderated by Aline Flor.
The second panel, “Democracy and the Transition of Cities”, will feature Susana Falcão, Head of the Landscape Laboratory’s Department of Education for Sustainability; Miguel Macias Sequeira, European Climate Pact Ambassador and researcher; and Roberto Falanga, researcher at ICS-Lisboa. The session will be moderated by Andréia Azevedo Soares.
The programme will conclude with a contribution from Mariana Gomes, founder and CEO of Último Recurso and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree, followed by the closing session and an opportunity for coffee and networking. Throughout the event, participants will also be able to experience One City, One Planet, an immersive, interactive and educational experience lasting approximately 18 minutes.
The Azul Conference is organised by Guimarães City Council in partnership with Público. Participation is free, but advance registration is mandatory. Places are limited to the venue’s capacity.
Full programme
14:30 | Registration
15:00 | Welcome session
- Ricardo Araújo, Mayor of Guimarães
- Sónia Sapage, Deputy Director of PÚBLICO
- João Manuel Esteves, Secretary of State for the Environment
15:15 | Keynote speaker | Are We Listening to Young People Fighting for a More Sustainable World?
- Isabel Menezes, Full Professor at the Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences of the University of Porto, specialising in citizenship, participation and youth empowerment
15:45 | Panel 1: New Generations, New Decisions
- Carla Malafaia, ClimActiC, CIVITAS
- Isabel Ferreira, Councillor for Youth, Guimarães City Council
- Victoria Rampazzo, Senior ESG Consultant at KPMG Portugal and Project Manager at Youth Climate Leaders Portugal
- Moderator: Aline Flor (AZUL)
16:30 | Panel 2: Democracy and the Transition of Cities
- Susana Falcão, Head of the Department of Education for Sustainability, Landscape Laboratory
- Miguel Macias Sequeira, European Climate Pact Ambassador and researcher
- Roberto Falanga, Researcher at ICS-Lisboa
- Moderator: Andréia Azevedo Soares (AZUL)
17:15 | Closing address
- Mariana Gomes, Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree, Founder and CEO of Último Recurso
17:30 | Closing session
Coffee and networking
Immersive, interactive and educational experience: One City, One Planet
Approximate duration: 18 minutes; maximum of 20 participants at a time.
Further information is available here.