COP26 - Content Curation: Climate Youth Leadership in action
The UK hosted the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland from 31 October to 12 November 2021. The global youth organisation, YMCA, having had a presence at previous COP events, gave Bromfield Events the brief of producing a documentary short and a series of side events that would elevate its brand dominance in the climate arena leveraging the voices of YMCA young leaders from around the world.
Having secured the Glasgow Science Centre IMAX Cinema, YMCA wanted to produce a documentary short film that it could premiere, highlighting some of its network of climate action projects around the world.
Due to time, budget and travel restrictions, Bromfield Events led the production management entirely remotely, recruiting a talented young director to work on the project. Meticulous research was required to identify the most suitable initiatives to select to bring the clients story to COP26.
Production crews were sourced in Zambia, the Philippines, Hawai'i, Michigan, Kosovo, Peru and Palestine with a comprehensive brief delivered to ensure consistency in the style and tone of each documentary segment.
Alongside this, a group of young climate leaders were prepared to travel to Glasgow, and press, policy and panel opportunities were found. In total, 18 youth leaders from 15 countries were supported, trained and briefed on opportunities available
Bromfield Events supported YMCA to secure influential activists to speak alongside and meet with its young leaders, including former Amnesty International and Greenpeace Secretary-General Kumi Naidoo; UN Climate Envoy John Kerry; former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown; UK singer-songwriter Rhys Lewis; and Scotland's Minister for Children and Young People Clare Haughey MSP.
Supporting the development of partnerships led to YMCA working with global sports brand Extreme International; social impact focussed music agency UMA Entertainment; and opportunities with the New York Times, EnviroFest International, One Young World, Channel 5 News (UK), Bloomberg, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, RTE News (Ireland) and the Scottish Youth Film Foundation.
Client: YMCA Scotland/World YMCA
Venue: The Ferry, Glasgow Science Centre, St Luke's Chuch,
Documentary Producer/Director: Nick Davis
Premiere production: Glasgows
With your help, we gave young people a voice at COP26. We could not have done it without you as a key partner. Our 56 sessions over the two weeks had more than 550,000 views, with 5 million impressions and over 200 pieces of press coverage.
Alistair Gosling
Founder & CEO, Extreme International
"I really enjoyed meeting you and others involved in the project, seeing the film and meeting with YMCA Ambassadors from across the world. I was very impressed by the film. It was both moving and inspiring to hear from young people who are already experiencing the effects of climate change. It has made a lasting impression on me."
Clare Haughey
Minister for Children and Young People, Scottish Government
"You put your heart and soul into COP26 and I wanted to send a huge wave of appreciation for all the time you gave to us, not just with the events and opportunities, but also for always being there for support, advice and questions. It really made COP26 a brilliant, life-changing experience. "
Mair Kelly
YMCA Ambassador, Ireland