Represent the Future Leaders Network at the 26th UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP26)

Glasgow, Scotland,

1 - 12 November 2021

Applications are now closed.

 
 

Please read the following Role Description and Essential Criteria which you will be assessed against in your application.

role description

Role:

Representative for the Future Leaders Network (Delegate) at COP26

Term

October 2021 - December 2021

Time commitment

At least 5 hours a week in the build up to COP26, plus attendance at the Conference. Successful candidates must be able to commit to:

  • Attendance at COP26 either Week 1 (31 October - 6th November 2021) or Week 2 (7th - 12th November 2021)

  • Regular meetings with other delegates in October 2021 and November 2021

Remuneration

Voluntary. Delegates must be able to cover all costs associated with the Conference (including travel, accommodation and food) themselves, as FLN is not able to offer any financial contributions towards these costs.

Background

What is the Future Leaders Network, and what do we stand for?

The Future Leaders Network is a not-for-profit organisation aimed at discovering and developing the next generation of social, economic and political leaders in the United Kingdom. 

We know that leadership (especially good leadership) matters - at an individual, societal and a global level. 

But current leadership development typically targets senior executives or mid-career professionals - too little, too late, at a huge cost for teams, communities and our planet. 

We are aiming to create a new cohort of effective, ethical leaders. We’re doing this by starting at the beginning, and working directly with young people to build their leadership experience, skills and network so they can deliver positive change in the world. 

We believe that building a better future begins with young people. 

To change leadership tomorrow, you need to work with young people today. 

We do this by:

  • Equipping young people with the skills and knowledge they need to lead effectively 

  • Offering young people unique opportunities to build their leadership experience 

  • Creating a community of young leaders who will go on to deliver change in the U.K. 

In doing so, we believe we can build a brighter, better future - starting with young people today. 

Values

  • Diversity - we actively seek out and value a wide range of voices to ensure that our concept of leadership and the leaders we are supporting are reflective of the society they serve;

  • Discipline agnostic - the problems of tomorrow span multiple sectors and disciplines, so we actively curate leaders who are comfortable working across institutional or organisational boundaries, from science, business and politics to hospitality and retail;

  • Dialogue - we promote tolerance, debate and dialogue, because you only lead when you listen first;

  • Demand for action - because to make the world a better place, once you’ve listened you’ve got to use your knowledge, skills and experience to actively change something for the better;

  • Development - we believe that every opportunity is a leadership opportunity so we take every chance we can to reflect and learn; and

  • Disruption - we are willing to speak out when we see something is wrong or could be done better. We always value honesty and integrity over the status quo.

What is COP26?

For nearly three decades the UN has been bringing together almost every country on earth for global climate summits – called COPs – which stands for ‘Conference of the Parties’. In that time climate change has gone from being a fringe issue to a global priority.

This year will be the 26th annual summit – giving it the name COP26. With the UK as President, COP26 takes place in Glasgow from 1 - 12 November 2021.

World leaders will arrive in Scotland, alongside tens of thousands of negotiators, government representatives, businesses and citizens for twelve days of talks.

Not only is it a huge task but it is also not just yet another international summit. Most experts believe COP26 has a unique urgency. 

To find out more, go to the U.K. Presidency website here.

FLN has been granted NGO (non-governmental organisation) observer status to the UNFCCC. This means we are able to nominate representatives to attend the Blue Zone of negotiations for the duration of COP26.

Main responsibilities

Are you passionate about engaging with climate action alongside youth activists and policymakers? Are you keen to learn more about how international negotiations work? Are you determined to ensure that young people are included in the process of climate policy- and decision-making? 

The Future Leaders Network is seeking passionate young people to represent us as part of our first ever delegation to the UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP26). 

You will have the opportunity to attend one of the most important and exciting COPs to date, which is taking place in Glasgow from November 1st - November 12th 2021. Please note you will not be expected to be in Glasgow for that entire period. 

As an FLN delegate, you will be responsible for:

  • Leading a research and scoping exercise that will result in a report on the state of youth engagement at COP26. You will collaborate with other delegates to co-produce this report with the support and guidance of the Co-Chairs of the delegation. 

  • Advocating for the climate change recommendations developed by both the Y7 and Y20 2021. 

  • Maintaining active communications using FLN’s social media channels to inform the public, particularly young people, of the activities that are taking place at COP26. 

Eligibility Criteria for all delegates:

You must be:

  • Aged 18 - 30 (as of 10 October 2021);

  • Ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom (E.g. you must live in the U.K.). Please note that if you require a visa to stay in the United Kingdom, you are wholly responsible for ensuring your visa is valid for the full duration of your stay at COP26; and

  • Available to travel to Glasgow for a period during the first two weeks of November, and able to cover the costs of your travel, accommodation and subsistence for the duration of your stay.

Essential Criteria for all delegates:

We are looking for delegates who are:

  • Passionate about youth leadership and youth participation in democratic processes, which highlights strong alignment with the Future Leaders Network’s vision, mission and values;

  • Interested in the progress of climate-related issues and corresponding climate action, particularly through the lens of youth engagement;

  • Able to demonstrate a high degree of self-awareness, reflecting on your personal goals, strengths and areas for development;

  • Able to take initiative and deliver real-world change, whether at a local, community, national or international level;

  • In possession of strong interpersonal skills, including being able to listen effectively, work with people from a wide range of backgrounds, and build trust and rapport effectively;

  • Able to demonstrate excellent communication skills, including the ability to adapt your language and style to different audiences and deliver impactful written and verbal messages as well as utilising social media channels to communicate messages effectively;

  • An excellent team worker, able to work effectively with diverse team members and achieve collective goals; 

  • Self-starting and be willing to progress ideas and opportunities, where they may arise;

  • Able to demonstrate excellent analytical skills, such as being capable of understanding, analysing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative evidence; and

  • In possession of outstanding problem solving skills, such as being able to balance competing perspectives and propose innovative, realistic solutions to real-world problems.

Please note that the U.K. Government strongly recommends delegates are Covid-19 vaccinated prior to attending COP26. In addition, all delegates will be required to abide by the U.K. Government’s guidance and Covid-19 requirements. Please read here for more information.

Application process: 

Applications closed at 23:59 on Sunday 10 October 2021.

Candidates who meet the essential criteria will be invited to interview in w/c 11 October. All candidates will be informed of their outcome in w/c 18 October 2021.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact hello@futureleaders.network.