Children take a stand for their future in Cancun

A child from Belize speaks at the event.

Children from developing countries have called for more action from world leaders at the climate change negotiations in Cancun, Mexico.

On Tuesday, children from Haiti, Mexico, Indonesia, Bolivia and Belize were given the opportunity to interview world leaders and have their say on climate change – a gathering organised by Plan International, Save the Children, UNICEF and World Vision.

Yvo de Boer, Former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework on Climate Change, Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland and President of Realizing Rights: the Ethical Globalization Initiative and Helena Molin-Valdes, Deputy Director of the UNISDR secretariat, listened to the pressing concerns of children living in countries affected by our changing climate.

Walter, 12, from Belize said: “I am the present and the future – a victim of climate change.  I live in a region that is constantly being affected by disasters.  Hurricanes and floods are my reality. My life is real and so am I.”

Yvo de Boer said: “We need to keep reminding Ministers what they’re negotiating about – the lives of children and young people.  It’s for this reason that I invited a child to be part of my opening address in Copenhagen to remind people what this process is about.”

Mary Robinson said: “We have to give children the opportunity to get their voices heard and then we can understand that climate change is not just about environment and glaciers but also people. We need to hear from people, particularly those most affected by climate change, and that's children."

Plan International screened a five minute film that explored how young people in El Salvador are affected by Climate Change. Produced and filmed by Mery, 17, with the support of Plan, the documentary places children and young people at the centre of climate change discussion and solutions.

Children make up more than half the population in countries predicted to be most affected by climate change and are facing increasing impacts from disaster events.  More than $US14 billion has been spent on humanitarian funding in 2010, making it the biggest year for international emergency response on record. Save the Children estimates that by 2030, 175 million children a year will be affected by natural disasters.

Although the threats children face are considerable, they should not be seen as passive victims. Children must be given the opportunity to contribute to decisions affecting their lives.

With less than a week to go before the climate change negotiations in Cancun draw to a close, UNICEF, Plan International and Save the Children (working together as Children in a Changing Climate www.childreninachangingclimate.org ) are calling for governments to ensure children’s rights, needs and capacities are fully recognised and explicitly referenced in any agreement.

Wendolyn, 17, from Mexico said: “We’re willing to work with you. Are you willing to work with us?”

Ends

For interviews with young delegates and other press enquiries in Cancun please contact:

Louise Finan (Plan International) on +44 7708 098288

In Cancun:  Atiq.Ahmed@plan-international.org

For profiles of the children who spoke or information in Australia, contact:

David Cook (Media Officer)
Plan International in Australia
Mobile:  0448 816 900
Work: 03 9672 3652
Email: david.cook@plan.org.au