Just Peace Movie Night: A journey from the classroom to the world’s highest court
“Our survival is our right. We are gonna fight, fight, fight!”
This was the chant echoed by the youth on a sailboard in front of New York City, fighting for an advisory opinion on climate change from the International Court of Justice.
What started out as an idea, a dream conjured by a group of law students from the Pacific in 2019, has given way to what will surely become a momentous transformation in the legal and geopolitical status quo: the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion on climate justice whose proceedings are currently underway. Only through the relentless and collective efforts of this group of law students, together with their ever-growing movement and wide state support spearheaded by the government of Vanuatu, have we reached this point.
The journey that this dream took from that classroom to the UN General Assembly to vote in favor of requesting the advisory opinion has been long but has had an eager lens following it all the while. This effort bore fruit this past Thursday with the screening of the beautiful and inspiring documentary at the Hague Peace Palace made by Felix Golenko. This documentary chronicles the journey from the classroom to the world's highest court, providing an in-depth look at the efforts of various actors - including the World’s Youth for Climate Justice and the Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Justice - who have played a pivotal role in bringing climate change to the forefront of international legal discourse.
Before entering the screening, attendees were invited to make their way through an exhibition in the Visitor's Center of the Peace Palace, where they could put a face and a name to a crisis generally only spoken of in headlines: to see the people who bear the brunt of the problem. Said exhibition will continue to be open to the pubic in the Visitor's Centre until January 12, 2025: we invite everyone in The Hague to explore this important demonstration of climate justice.
The screening was preceded by a keynote address by the Attorney General of Vanuatu, Arnold Kiel Loughman, who emphasized the importance of the ICJ AO as an authoritative tool that will provide legal certainty regarding States’ obligations under international law in the climate change context; the AO, further, figuring as a critical step towards climate justice and combating climate change. He characterized the documentary as a testament to the resilience of the youth, who have played a key role in advancing the advisory opinion. In the end, he urged those watching the documentary to reflect on the journey that it took in order to bring us all to this moment, as well as on the future of our planet and its climate.
The filmmaker of the documentary, Felix Golenko, explained that he believed that “art is a feather more powerful than words” and that people should exchange ideas, not bullets. In his own words, “There is nothing more powerful than an idea when its time has come.” He also expressed his hope that people will get inspired by the deep sense of community showcased in the film and learn from the Pacific who have been at the forefront of this fight. Indeed, according to the media and production team behind the documentary, the role of storytelling is bringing social justice issues to the forefront - this documentary fulfilled this role and more.
As one watches this documentary, one cannot help but be impressed with the power and relentlessness demonstrated by this youth: these stubborn optimists who consistently had doors slammed in their faces and nevertheless kept on knocking. Often considered too inexperienced and too immature to partake in important decision-making processes, the voice of the youth is often ignored. Others may not even try, themselves being devoured by fears of incompetence. Yet, this documentary sends a powerful message:
You are never too young to fight for what you believe in. You are never too young to strive for change. You are never too young to make a difference.
The world may characterize us as “the worst generation,” but that moniker only holds true because we speak truth to power; we don't accept the world as is but seek to change it into what it could be.
Indeed, after the screening had finished, everyone in the room was taken by a wave of feelings of hope and inspiration. Hope for a better future and inspiration to follow the lead of the youth; to take action in order to bring about a brighter future. It was not only an inspiring story about the fight for climate justice but a testament to the agency of each and every one of us, irrespective of age; anyone, anywhere, anytime can make a difference. Indeed, this film will stand as a call to action for generations to come.
Do not stand by; do not think it is impossible; do not think you are too young to do anything about it!
The end of the screening was followed by a panel discussion by filmmakers, protagonists of the documentary, and climate justice experts, including WYCJ’s very own Aditi Shetye, who has been part of the efforts in pursuing the advisory opinion for a significant amount of time. As a key player in the film, Aditi described the experience of watching it as “deeply moving and touching”, reassuring her and everyone she has fought alongside that they have come a long way already; having embraced all the obstacles that were thrown at them and pursued nonetheless.
Indeed, since they started the journey in 2019, many obstacles have been thrown in the movement’s way, the global COVID-19 pandemic being one important example. Yet, in spite of it all, this group of students managed to get a unanimous vote by the UN General Assembly requesting an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on climate change. And while the road has been long and strenuous, the youth never faltered, never wavered, but kept going.
In closing, Aditi pointed out that while more work lies ahead, this was an immense success and watching this journey play out in the documentary allowed her to feel a sense of achievement, fulfillment, and purpose. She further explained how standing on the shoulders of their ancestors, this group of young people fought for justice and continues to do so to this day.
Again, however, the work is not done: in many ways, it's only just beginning.
The evening ended with a call to action to encourage everyone to participate in the oral hearings by making sure that States know that the world and history have their eyes on them. As of December 2nd, States and organizations from around the globe will make oral statements before the International Court of Justice on climate change. This is the next step in the process and will be vital in achieving an advisory opinion that protects the rights of past, present, and future generations in the most progressive way possible.
We invite you to follow the example set by the youth of the Pacific and take a stand. In the words of the filmmaker, “Now is the chance that the whole world joins to collectively shape the narrative of climate justice.”
Written By: Theresa Amor-Jürgenssen