Africa

A big hello to the whole world from children and youth in Southern Africa! We are proud to be part of the tdh International Youth Network! Feel the buzz?! That’s because we are already vibing from the recognition of the children’s fundamental right to a safe and healthy environment by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child on the 18^th of September 2023!

We are actively playing a role in combating climate change as young people. This is super huge, and we are feeling a little bit extra! You know why? We made it happen! We joined the rest of the world and were part of the 16,331 submissions received from children across more than 100 countries contributing to the making of General Comment No. 26! Besides we’ve been campaigning for this for a while!

But, the work has just begun and we want you to join us! Every November, terre des hommes (tdh) International Youth Network (IYN), comprised of children and young people engaged in tdh partner projects up to the age of 25, host the exciting Global Action Month (GAM)!

Launched in 2014, this whole month champions child and youth participation and culminates in the UN Children’s Day celebrations on the 20^th of November! We are proud to be a part of it all and we need you to join.

So, now that General Comment No. 26 is here – an important guidance on how children's rights are impacted by the environmental crisis and what governments must do to uphold these rights to ensure that children live in a clean, healthy, and sustainable world – our work is not done! In fact, we’ve a lot more to do to achieve positive changes in our communities and homes

This Global Action Month 2023, themed "We stand with young voices to save the environment," we intend to bring General Comment No.26 home to our governments and communities so that real change can begin, we will be doing this through:

1. Social Media Campaigns: Join us in our crusade in support of General Comment 26 to amplify its message and influence change through social media platforms. This will include Twitter spaces and WhatsApp group discussions.

2. Mainstream Media Awareness: We will be using the power of newspapers, television and radio channels to inform, educate, and inspire individuals and communities to act for children's environmental rights.

3. Dialogues, Marches, Quizzes and debates: We will engage in environmental dialogue meetings with duty bearers. Collaborative discussions with peers are a vital step toward concrete change. Let’s give them a fresh perspective on the environmental crises including climate change!

Kudos to tdh Germany! A true friend of children in our World!