By Christina Leslie | Staff Writer

Students from Mater Dei Prep added their voices to those of others concerned with climate change at a conference held at the United Nations headquarters Nov. 12. A group of 35 members of the Middletown school’s International Leadership Committee traveled to New York City to present their views at the U.N. Department of Public Information Non-Government Organization Youth Representatives Conference.

“They wanted to be a part of the solution, to add their voices to the global voice,” explained Mater Dei Prep history teacher, George S. Anthony, about the students’ participation in the fourth “Youth at the Forefront: Bridging the Gap Between Climate Change and Climate Action.” The conference, held in conjunction with the U.N. World Conference on climate change, gave the high school students the opportunity to speak before a panel of experts on the impact of climate change on children and the poor, the environment and the worldwide drought, as well as Pope Francis’ encyclical on climate change, “Laudato Si’.”

Anthony, who in addition to his role as Mater Dei Prep is co-chair of the U.N. International Day of Peace Education Peace Team, said of the student presenters, “These global future leaders can play a role in shaping their future as well as the future of our planet.  Conferences like this one can only provide our students with the tools to continue forward and have their voices heard. Mater Dei Prep Global Leaders will continue to play that role in building sustainable communities where we all can benefit.”

Student participants expressed gratitude for the experience, and the opportunity to support “Laudato Si’.” Mater Dei senior Germaine Mendonca recalled the words of Pope Francis in the encyclical: we do not live side by side the environment, but rather in it. She continued, “As such, it is our duty to care for what God has given us. By attending the United Nations' briefing on Climate Change… it was a way to support Pope Francis in his appeal to us to make the change that is most needed.”

Student Robert Lynch recalled a sense of empowerment and purpose after the Middletown school’s testimony, which bridged the gap between science and religion.

“It was especially enlightening to be able assimilate the Church’s stance on global warming and climate change to those of others from the world stage,” Lynch said.

“Attending this conference as a youth made me feel as if the torch of saving our environment was passed on to me as well as my peers,” he continued. “Through the dialogue presented I walked away with a sense of not only being in attendance but invigorated with a new sense of purpose. I felt as if the future of the world was in the hands of young people everywhere and that it is now up to us to determine how the legacy of our generation will be remembered; the generation that invented the selfie-stick, or the generation that saved the environment.”

Allison Conover, a teacher chaperone for the trip, expressed her admiration of the Mater Dei Prep students. “I feel very fortunate to have been able to accompany [them] to the UN Conference on Climate Change. The students were enthusiastic to formulate questions about Pope Francis's Encyclical on Climate Change and the impact of climate change on the poor, children, and the environment. It was most rewarding to hear one of our students ask a question to the panel during the conference.

“I think this conference really sparked a fire in the students to begin to act towards change,” Conover continued. “This conference has inspired me to continue being an activist for the environment! I am proud that these Mater Dei students are our future and I know they will inspire more youth to join the movement and help make positive changes in the world.”

Katelyn Grano, the student who addressed the assembly, had challenged the panel to address children vulnerable to pollution by asking, “Due to the fact that the air is being polluted every day, there is an increasing number of children that are being greatly affected by this.  Included in this are waterborne illnesses as a result of increased temperatures, tainting food supplies and causing a lack of food.  What should be done to resolve or lessen these results?”  

“It is great to be invited to youth led conferences and really feel like we have a voice in the future, said Nicole Rogan. “Getting to sit in on important conferences about our world today shows me that I can make a difference.”

Amanda Potaris noted, “Mr. Anthony … blessed me with the opportunity to go to the conference at the United Nations. Not many others my age get to experience being a part of something like this. I am lucky to learn firsthand how to change the world.”

“Not only was going to see the meeting on climate change at the United Nations inspiring but it gave me hope,” Maria Wise maintained. “I didn’t think that people really cared about climate change or the affect it’s having, not on only nature, but on the animals that inhabit the planet. To know that people of all ages around the world care about climate change gives us a chance to make a difference.”