On May 10-12, the Centre for European Studies of the Yerevan State university hosted the Hybrid Conference on Climate Change and Children: Impact, Rights and Participation which organised within the frames of the Regional Master’s Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation in the Caucasus” programme / GC Caucasus/ jointly by the Centre for European Studies of Yerevan State University, Global Campus of Human Rights, the Right Livelihood Foundation, UNICEF Armenia through its “Adolescents as agents of climate action in their communities” project, funded by Austrian Development Cooperation, ShareMusic & Performing Arts, Sweden, and Small theatre of Armenia.
During these three days experts, representatives of States, international and non-governmental organisations, policymakers, academics students and adolescents from a broad range of countries got together to discuss and debate on the importance of a child rights-based approach to climate action and to suggest options ensuring child participation in such policy developments.
Opening and welcome speeches were presented by Dr Artur Israyeleyan, Vice Rector of YSU, Ms. Zhanna Andreasyan, Deputy Minister from the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, H.E. Andrea Wiktorin, Head of EU Delegation to Armenia, Mr Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator, Prof. Manfred Nowak, Secretary General of the Global Campus of Human Rights and Dr Veronica Gomez, President of the Global Campus of Human Rights, as well as Mr Ole von Uexkull, Executive Director pf the Right Livelihood Foundation.
The organisers had an honour of having Nnimo Bassey, the Right Livelihood Laureate, David Boyd – Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment, Luisa Neubauer, Fridays for Future and Nina Ferencic, Senior regional adviser on Adolescent, Health , development and participation and on HIV/AIDS, UNICEF regional office for Europe and Central Asia presenting as keynote speakers.
During three days participants had opportunity of discussing child and youth participation in climate change related activities; as well understand the developments in various regions of the world.
The conference concluded with special panel where Policy analysts from Global campus presented Policy Observatory on “Environment and Human rights: realising the Rights of Future Generations”
For Conference Presentations please click at active links:
Suranga_daSilva_Adolescents as Change Agents
E_Fokala_Children as Agents of Change
