Two Dordt University students to participate in United Nations conference in Azerbaijan

Two Dordt University students have been chosen to participate in an upcoming United Nations conference in Azerbaijan. Beatrice Shackleford and Kaeley Meyer were selected out of many applicants to the Christian Climate Observers Program (CCOP) 2024.

“What makes this remarkable is not only the chance for these students to attend the event in Azerbaijan, but in real time to take a step back with other Christians and think critically about the ideas that are being proposed and discussed,” says Dr. Leah Zuidema, vice president for academic affairs.

Annually, the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Action (UNFCCC) sponsors a Convention of the Parties (COP). In November, Meyer and Shackleford will attend COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. There, they will participate in meetings, briefings, workshops, and exhibits alongside experts in the field from 195 different nationalities.

As observers, they will have opportunities to engage in:

• Developing position papers and making formal submissions
• Holding bilaterals with government delegates
• Showcasing and advocating through press conferences and side events and exhibits
• Preparing for dialogues and briefings

“At COP, major organizations are represented, including faith groups,” explains Shackleford. “For a long time, Christians have been absent from COP. As Christians, we seek to love our neighbors as ourselves. So, we will be there to observe, hear stories, discern, and share what we learned when we come back.”

Very few students in the world get the honor to attend such a notable international meeting, notes Dr. Jonathan Gingrich, professor of engineering at Dordt. Dordt students can and do compete on an international scale.

“The fact that we get to send two of our own students to experience this event is incredible. Kaeley and Beatrice will get to see how policies are discussed on an international level and how our communities can work to understand and address [these issues] from a policy perspective.”

As part of CCOP, Meyer and Shackleford have participated in a series of classes preparing them for the five main activities of a Christian climate observer, including learning, networking, and prayer. Once they return from COP29, they will report back to churches, denominations, schools, and other constituencies about what they learned.

While preparing the students for this opportunity, Dordt faculty have had intentional conversations and equipped them with discerning hearts and minds, says Dr. Jeff Ploegstra, dean for foundational and health sciences.

"We are grateful that our students will bring a Christ-centered worldview to the table, engaging thoughtfully and faithfully with these important issues.”

About Dordt University

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.