#ChildUtopia: The story of 5 youths and 1 dream city
Reimagining sustainable and inclusive cities for the future
This year, climate action was one of the central pillars of World Children’s Day because more than anything else, the climate crisis is a child’s rights crisis.
More and more, children and youths are raising their voices and demanding their right to a safe and sustainable environment. It is becoming increasingly clear that climate action needs to accelerate, and UNICEF strives to empower children to be part of the solution and become a driving force behind it.
#ChildUtopia follows with the same intention. Through a collaborative and interactive approach, the project aims to empower children, allow them to express their creativity, and most of all, show that they play a key role in reimagining the cities and societies of tomorrow.
The objective:
To let five youths build their ideal climate-friendly city in Minecraft, share their thoughts and the results with the world.
After a multiple-day workshop guided by UNICEF, several video-conferences to brainstorm ideas, and hours of building in Minecraft, our five participants came up with their ideal city. Their utopia is 100% climate-friendly, and incorporates concepts such as clean energy, clean transport, equal access to education and healthcare, and much much more.
Who are the participants?
We selected five young people from Viet Nam, Philippines, Mongolia, and Cambodia to join a virtual workshop and build their ideal climate-friendly city in Minecraft.
Huy
Viet Nam
17 years old
Strong believer in clean energy, equal access to safe accommodation, and green spaces.
Kelzie
Philippines
15 years old
Advocate for sustainable living, local organic farming, and green transport
Somnang
Cambodia
15 years old
Committed to freeing the world of CO2 emissions and pollution, providing education for all, and promoting the voice of fellow children and youth
Elisha
Philippines
16 years old
Passionate about waste reduction, recycling and reuse, climate justice, and law enforcement
Irmuunbileg
Mongolia
16 years old
Defender of clean air, clean transport solutions, and equal opportunities for all
To hear more about what inspired the five participants to build this city, and to hear more about their ideas, watch to the interviews below!
Just remember: children and youth play a crucial role in solving the climate crisis. That is the only way that it can be truly solved. The world needs you to raise your voice, and stand up for what you believe in. So gather your friends, and make your thoughts and ideas heard.
If you have more ideas for climate-friendly cities, build your own, and share it online using #ChildUtopia!