"This is our generation's number one challenge - do you expect us to sit and do nothing?" asks Kate Shayler, 23, a young woman working to build a powerful youth movement to fight climate change.  Young people from all over the UK are coming together next month (October 9-12), for a "Power Shift", an unprecedented event at the Institute of Education in London.  "We want young people to be able to discuss these important issues with their friends and neighbours," says Kate. "And we're introducing them to a new technique used with huge success by President Obama's grassroots campaign, to engage thousands of people in the States. This training, pioneered by US civil rights veteran Marshall Ganz, will be used to build the youth climate movement in the UK but will also be valuable for campaigns on other social issues."

During the weekend, Power Shift will present fresh perspectives and common sense ideas to tackle the single biggest issue facing our generation.  It will be jam-packed with top speakers from all walks of life, practical workshops, and cutting-edge live bands.  Long-term action will be kick-started with a "Take-off" on the Monday, which will give participants the chance to put their newly-learned skills into practice and make a real impact at the very heart of UK decision making.

Organised entirely by a team of more than 30 young people, all under the age of 25 and volunteering hours of their time, this is no ordinary "conference".  Its unusual programme will take participants on a journey, from the diverse places they start out, to a single end-point: a common task of going back to their local communities and organising on climate issues.

In order to overcome barriers to action, the "journey" passes through five different emotions, which Power Shift's Matt Williams, 22, explains: "Firstly, the feeling that you have the power to make a difference.  Secondly, a sense of solidarity: other people like you are doing the same and you are part of something big.  Then anger - at the injustice of climate change, where the world's poorest are being hit hardest, and where richer countries still appear unwilling to act strongly and decisively to take the necessary steps.  Fourthly, a sense of urgency forms around the fact that humanity has a small window of necessity in which to act.  This December sees a landmark United Nations conference take place in Copenhagen, which will define our generation's future.   The fifth emotion - the one that should stay with participants as Power Shift comes to an end - is hope."

Power Shift UK is the first event of its kind to happen in Europe.  It follows the major successes of Power Shift USA, which took place in Washington DC with 12,000 young people last February, and Power Shift Australia, in Sydney this August.

 "There are loads of young people in the UK who know climate change is a massive issue but aren't sure what to do about it.  This is a hugely exciting opportunity for us to get together and turn our shared values into action" says Alex Farrow, 20, another Power Shifter.  "Since getting involved with organising Power Shift myself, I've met some great young people who share my concerns about climate change and are taking action in many inspirational ways.  Power Shift should both stir young people into action and equip them with valuable skills for organising in their local communities."

The Power Shift team feel this is a crucial point in time for young people to raise their voices on climate change.  Kate Shayler explains: "We're hoping Power Shift will spark off youth-organised actions up and down the country, waking people up to the fact that in December, the most important international negotiations of our time will be taking place in Copenhagen - aimed at building a new global deal on climate change."

Power Shift aims to bring together young people from diverse backgrounds from all over the UK, and in order to encourage this, National Express have agreed to give all young people travelling to Power Shift a 30% discount. "Hopefully this will help people to come from far and wide" says Alex.  "We're going beyond the usual suspects, because climate change is going to define our entire generation".

Find out more at http://powershift09.co.uk/