2023-09-18 09:26:22
Children’s rights and climate protection organizations are sending a joint signal on the occasion of the launch of General Comment 26 of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
Vienna (OTS) – Today the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child officially presents “General Comment No. 26 on Children’s Rights and the Environment with a Special Focus on Climate Change”. Change”, GC26 for short). The launch of the GC26 is a cause for celebration and is celebrated with many activities around the world, such as tree planting events organized by young people.
With GC26, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child obliges the states parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to take immediate action in the face of the climate crisis to ensure compliance with children’s rights. “Climate protection is child protection. The GC26 shows this connection and the resulting obligations under children’s rights in concrete terms,” says Sebastian Öhner from the Vienna Child and Youth Advocate. Using specific children’s rights such as the rights to life and development, health, non-discrimination, education, protection from violence or the right to have a say, GC26 explains how states must guarantee these rights in the face of the climate crisis and how the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment can be implemented .
Involve young people
“Many children’s rights are acutely threatened due to the climate crisis,” emphasizes Rihab Toumi, chairwoman of the Federal Youth Representative Council. “GC26 is an important document that shows at the highest international level how important it is to see children’s rights in connection with climate policy. Because climate measures do not sufficiently take children and young people into account. Children and young people have the right to grow up safely and healthily and our voice must also be heard on climate issues.”
Children and young people played a major role in the creation of the GC26. Their global commitment to the climate was the impetus for the creation of the GC26. Twelve “Child Advisors” provided advice during the development process. More than 16,000 contributions from children and young people worldwide were included in the content. “Children and young people in Austria also took part in the development,” reports Teresa Millesi, federal chairwoman of the Austrian Catholic Youth Group. “They report that they are very concerned regarding the state of the environment and the climate. At the same time, they have the feeling that far too little is being done to combat the climate crisis. And this despite the fact that it is very clear that we have to act now. The mandate from children and young people to politicians is clear: effective measures are needed now to save the climate.”
Children and young people are particularly affected
“Due to their physical and cognitive development, children are already particularly affected by the consequences of the climate crisis,” says Corinna Geißler from UNICEF Austria. “Heat waves, food shortages, illnesses caused by contaminated water and the psychological and physical consequences of severe weather disasters have a more serious impact on them than on adults. Girls, children with disabilities and children who live in poverty and remote areas are particularly vulnerable. Almost EVERY child – more than 99% – is already exposed to climate change threats such as droughts, heatwaves and floods.”
“We are firmly convinced that awareness of ecological children’s rights plays a central role in shaping a sustainable and just future,” says Christian Moser, Managing Director of SOS Children’s Villages. “It is not only a necessity, but also an opportunity for all of us to act now and take the needs of the young generation into account in our decisions and actions.” And Christian Zauner from Parents For Future adds: “The GC26 contributes to “Making the inseparable connection between children’s rights and the climate crisis more visible is a clear, concrete mandate to ensure children’s rights.”
Austria event on November 21, 2023
The Children’s Rights Network, together with climate protection organizations, is taking the need for implementation formulated in the GC26 as an opportunity to organize an interdisciplinary conference two months following the launch of the GC26: On November 21st, the GC26 will be held in all its aspects under the title “Children’s rights as an opportunity and mandate in climate protection”. Dimensions illuminated. Political actors, young people, media representatives and other interested parties are cordially invited to take part and jointly explore the opportunities that children’s rights offer in climate protection, share knowledge regarding existing obligations and approaches to action, analyze current hurdles and the need for action to exchange ideas regarding ways, strategies and policies to contain the climate crisis.
Questions & Contact:
Children’s Rights Network Austria
Elisabeth Schaffelhofer-Garcia Marquez
0676 880 11 10 16
elisabeth.schaffelhofer@kinderhabenrechte.at
www.kinderhabenrechte.at
Federal youth representation
Nicole Pesendorfer-Amon
Tel.: 0676 880 11 11 42
nicole.pesendorfer@bjv.at
1695029219
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