Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte welcomed youths, policymakers, and industry powerhouses on QCX, Quezon City as she hosted the World Childrens' Day celebration of United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) with the theme,“Ngayon para Bukas: A call for collective climate action,” to inform people of why climate crisis is considered a children's right crisis last November 19.
According to UNICEF, the event is a call for collective climate action that reignites the commitment to children's rights in commemoration of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which includes the civil rights of children—to education and health.
On the other hand, Belmonte talked about how climate change influences children’s right in education, survival, and protection as well as the duties of officials and industry leaders in empowering the voice of the youth and actively engaging in addressing the climate crisis.
“We are duty bound to rally behind our children and youth to capacitate them and collaborate with them to ensure the health and longevity of our planet, thereby safeguarding their future,” Belmonte asserted.
Vice-president and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Duterte also attended the event and acknowledged the urgent need to address the climate crisis as a threat that disproportionately impacts children and threatens their prospects.
“Disasters [that] force children to miss school affect their learning and future. In rural communities where agriculture is the main industry, this calamity generates food shortages and malnutrition,” Duterte said.
In addition, Duterte discussed the role of DepEd towards the children through the MATATAG agenda, which guarantees a quality and resilient education system—teaching students climate change knowledge, skills, and values.
Moreover, she also mentioned that together with the Office of Vice President (OVP), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Department of Agriculture (DA), through PAGBABAGO, the youth will learn to advocate for a greener planet which promotes sustainable and environmental stewardship.
“We should invest in climate resilient communities and infrastructures to shield children from climate change's severe effects along with other government and donor agencies. We must give our children and youth meaningful participation in fighting climate change,” Duterte stated.
Meanwhile, the UNICEF Philippines National Ambassador, Anne Curtis, discussed how the youth today experience eco-anxiety due to hazards and disasters, considering they are most exposed to harsh weather conditions.
“Ang youth natin ang most resilient at mas action-oriented. Sana hindi natin i-romanticized ang resiliency, kung saan kilala ang mga Pinoy. Because behind those smiles are the everyday struggles,” Curtis stated.
Curtis also encourages her fellow parents and adults to set a good example for the youths, to let the children and youth be heard, to have healthy discussion with their children, and to address climate issues to ensure a better world for them and the generation after them.
“As an adult and especially as an ambassador. As young as she is, I am teaching her the importance of loving the earth. And when the time comes when she asks the future of this world, I don't have the answers but we can figure out the solutions together,” Curtis added.
Meanwhile, Joshua Villalobos, a youth representative, shared two fundamental facts on the situation of the youths and children in this climate crisis: that children and young people are disproportionately impacted by climate change which exacerbates existing challenges and creates new risks to their well-being, making the climate crisis a child rights crisis and that children and young people are not just victims or passive bystanders on the issue of climate change, but are also active stakeholders driving meaningful change and action at the local, national, and global levels.
Lastly, UNICEF shared its commitment to the youth and children in addressing the climate crisis, such as reducing carbon footprint and adopting sustainable practices; advocating and participating in international agreements; implementing eco-friendly practices and technologies in various sectors and communities; raising voice and advocating climate action, creating a platform and opportunities for children to voice their concerns, ideas, and solutions, and ensuring that every child has access to environmental education; Support research and development that focuses on green technology and innovation, and acknowledge climate change as a child's right catastrophe; committing to solving climate change through policies and practices that will decrease the impact of numerous climate shocks on children and youth.
Article: Princes Del Corro
Photos: Timothy Andrei Milambiling
Graphics: Cathlyn De Raya
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