Introducing the Art of Climate Diplomacy for Creative and Community Leadership

Since the successful launch of our pilot incubator program in 2021-2022, and building on supplementary programming offered in 2023-2024, we’ve recognized a growing demand for specialized training and skills that blend creative, cultural, and climate diplomacy. This realization has emerged from the dynamic engagements with youth, artists, diplomats and community leaders across regions including Manitoba, Nunavut, Northwestern Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Minnesota, Alaska, Norway, and Finland. 

These collaborative dialogues have highlighted a need for a structured, intentional approach to equipping youth and community leaders with the tools and knowledge to navigate the intersecting challenges of climate change, food security, the arts and community resilience. In response, we are planning to introduce the Art of Climate Diplomacy for Creative and Community Leadership program in 2025, a transformative initiative designed to provide youth with the skills and experiences necessary to become leaders in the intersection of environmental stewardship, community development, and creative leadership.

The initiative will address the pressing need for capacity building in areas such as climate change adaptation, community advocacy, and arts-based creative leadership, all while remaining deeply rooted in authentic community engagement. Through dialogues in 2023 and 2024, it became clear that young people, especially in northern regions most vulnerable to climate impacts, are not just concerned citizens; they are powerful agents of change who, when equipped with the right tools, can transform their communities and influence broader global conversations through climate diplomacy. This co-developed program will enable them to engage meaningfully with climate action strategies while weaving their own cultural practices, values, and artistic expressions into the discourse.

The core of this program will be based on successful participatory, arts-driven methods, designed to empower youth to be climate diplomats within their communities. Facilitating workshops and hands-on experiences, participants will engage in media arts and storytelling that directly addresses local and global climate issues. They will collaborate with local, regional, and international artists, scientists, and community leaders from Manitoba, Quebec and Minnesota, among others, to create climate solutions that are not only effective but culturally relevant and rooted in traditional knowledge. This arts-based diplomacy will allow young people to use their creativity and leadership skills as vehicles for dialogue, policy advocacy, and action on environmental sustainability.

In the spring and summer of 2025, the program will facilitate the design, piloting, and testing of climate diplomacy training led by youth and supported by their local collaborators. These initiatives will be framed around cross-border, cross-cultural collaborations and will focus on regional solutions to global climate challenges. These youth and artist-led activities will engage their communities, schools, and arts organizations in addressing climate change through art, storytelling, music, food production, visual arts, and digital media. The emphasis will be on creating lasting partnerships between local, regional, and international groups—particularly those who are historically underrepresented in mainstream climate conversations. This collaborative approach will cultivate a new generation of leaders who can navigate the complex challenges of climate diplomacy while fostering stronger, more resilient, sustainable and inclusive community programs.

Activities will lay the groundwork for establishing an emerging community of practice—a network of young leaders, artists, community members, and organizations working together towards common goals in climate diplomacy and cultural sustainability. This will provide ongoing mentorship, resources, and collaborative opportunities to ensure the longevity of the program and the sustainability of its impacts. By the end of 2025, the program aims to have established a well-connected, innovative, and culturally-informed collective of youth leaders who are not only trained in climate diplomacy but are also equipped to lead on the global stage, using the arts.

Impacts and Outcomes

Empowerment through Creative Leadership and Climate Diplomacy: The program will equip youth with the skills and knowledge needed to engage effectively in climate diplomacy, blending creative leadership with environmental advocacy. Participants will be empowered to use their artistic talents to address global climate issues, fostering a sense of pride and purpose in their roles as climate advocates. This creative empowerment will contribute to a new generation of leaders who understand the complexities of climate change and are capable of crafting innovative solutions through art and culture. The program will inspire youth to take active leadership roles in their communities, equipping them with the tools to drive local climate action while advocating for global change. Through these activities, the program will help address the post-pandemic challenges that have left many youth and community members feeling disconnected, giving them a sense of agency, purpose, and direction in the context of a rapidly changing world.

Strengthened Regional and International Collaboration: Through cross-border and cross-cultural partnerships, the program will facilitate deeper connections between Indigenous youth, artists, scientists, and community leaders from Manitoba, Minnesota, Nunavut, and beyond. These partnerships will contribute to a lasting network of climate leaders who share knowledge, collaborate on climate solutions, and work together to influence policy and public opinion on environmental issues. A collaborative framework also recognizes the unique challenges faced by non-profit and community organizations in the post-pandemic era, as many struggle with rebuilding and re-envisioning their operations. This network will not only benefit the participants but will also foster a stronger sense of solidarity among Indigenous communities globally, reinforcing shared commitments to sustainable development and cultural preservation. Working alongside international collaborators, artists will also gain a broader perspective on the global nature of climate challenges and solutions, strengthening their capacity to engage in international climate diplomacy.

Amplifying Indigenous Voices in Global Climate Diplomacy: A key impact of this program will be its role in amplifying Indigenous voices and narratives within the broader climate conversation. The inclusion of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and Indigenous cultural expressions in climate diplomacy will elevate the contributions of Indigenous peoples in international climate discussions. Empowering youth to advocate for environmental sustainability through their art and cultural practices, the program will ensure that Indigenous perspectives are not only heard but also respected in policy-making spaces. Activities contribute to the decolonization of climate diplomacy, creating pathways for Indigenous youth to become influential leaders in climate negotiations and environmental advocacy. A shift in narratives also plays an important role in addressing post-pandemic challenges by empowering marginalized communities, ensuring they are part of the conversation on climate action.