Children of the DRC issue a heartfelt plea to tackle climate change on World Children's Day

KINSHASA, 20 NOVEMBER, 2021 – A passionately delivered message has been presented by the children of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to celebrate this year’s World Children's Day that commemorates the signing of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989. 

This year, World Children’s Day is celebrated in the context of COP26. On this occasion, the Congolese Ministry of Gender, Family and Children and UNICEF gave the floor to children to claim their rights, and call on adults to mobilize to find sustainable solutions to protect the DRC and the future of children against climate change and environmental degradation. They have called for better access for young people to participate in global dialogue over the impact of climate change, and for concrete action to preserve the DRC’s diverse flora, woodland and wildlife.

"We, the children of the DRC, need to be involved in the battle against dangerous climate issues," said one participant at a recent climate change summit attended by young people.

A  UNICEF report says that young people in the DRC are among the most exposed to the effects of climate change, including air, soil and water pollution. Their health, education and overall safety are in jeopardy in addition to a higher risk of deadly diseases.

"The climate crisis is a crisis of children's rights. Congolese youth are aware that the effects of climate change are jeopardizing their future," said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Representative in DRC. "World Children's Day is an important moment to promote respect and rights of children, but also to transform this event into concrete actions. We must act together and in a concerted manner to build a better world for all children." 

Various events have been organized by UNICEF to mark World Children’s Day in the cities of Goma, Lubumbashi, Mbuji-Mayi and Kinshasa. Children's voices and perspectives on climate and environmental issues were highlighted through an exhibition of photographs, a documentary produced by UNICEF-trained Child Reporters, a tree-planting activity and a national drawing contest.

Children also took part in various radio programs on Bana Okapi, the radio station dedicated to Congolese youth. The radio station – a collaboration between UNICEF, MONUSCO and UNOPS – used the occasion to launch a new programme set up to enable young people to report on climate change as well as other topics including education, health, environment, development, social networking, sports and Congolese music. 

In Kinshasa, Ketsia, 17, and Emmanuel, 14, UNICEF Youth Advocate for climate cause, made impassioned pleas to coincide with the staging of the climate change summit (COP26) in Glasgow. "We want to know what concrete actions will be taken to preserve our country and our future. We children are calling on our government to implement solutions to protect those in the areas most affected by the consequences of climate change", said Ketsia. "We, the children of the DRC, need to be involved in the battle against dangerous climate issues", added Emmanuel.

UNICEF for its part has made a new appeal to its partners to coincide with the anniversary, calling on them to invest in the future of the DRC and give every child the opportunity to reach his or her full potential. UNICEF urges the government and all stakeholders to: 

• Increase investments in climate change adaptation and strengthen the resilience of essential services for vulnerable young children to ensure they are better protected from the most severe consequences of climate disruption. Such services include water supplies, sanitation, hygiene, health and education.
• Educate children about climate and eco-citizenship, to give them the means to prepare for and adapt to the effects of climate change. 
• Involve youth in all local, national, regional and international climate negotiations.
• Work towards a green, low-carbon and inclusive recovery, so as not to compromise the ability of future generations to face the consequences of climate change.

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Note to editors:

The recently concluded Glasgow Climate Change Conference was an international event organized by the United Nations. The 26^th Conference of the Parties (COP26) brought together the signatory countries of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) from November 1-13, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom.

UNICEF, in support of the Congolese government, gives a voice to young people in the DRC so that they can defend their rights and be actors in decisions that affect them. A network of Child Reporters – girls and boys aged 10-17 from all social backgrounds – has been established to promote child protection, education, health, and community engagement.  The young reporters have been introduced to the International Convention on the Rights of the Child and to basic journalistic techniques so that they can use the media to ensure their voices are heard.

Radio Bana Okapi is the result of a collaboration between UNICEF, MONUSCO and UNOPS. One of the objectives is to inform children about their rights and duties, and to sensitize parents to respect these rights. Bana Okapi is specifically dedicated to Congolese children and youth. The daily programs deal with a variety of issues including education and health, environment, and development. It also covers social networks, sports, and Congolese music. The radio is currently available in five cities: Kinshasa (103.2 Mhz), Bukavu (103.5 Mhz), Goma (94.8 Mhz), Bunia (95.5 Mhz) and Matadi (94.8 Mhz). An additional 35 transmitters are planned to expand the broadcasting coverage.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child is a legally binding international agreement setting out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of every child, regardless of their race, religion or abilities.