Children take centre stage on Earth Day with ‘my future, my voice’ message

In recognition of the Golden Anniversary of Earth Day, acknowledged today, 22 April, 50 children and young people, some as young as eight years old, will join in a global initiative to take positive action for our planet.

The Earth Day Network, a global environmental NGO which grew out of the first Earth Day, held in 1970, today engages with over 75,000 partners in over 190 countries. Strongly believing in the role of youth, and that the environment knows no boundaries, the #MyFutureMyVoice initiative features voices of 50 youths from around 16 countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.

Through video messages, each child or young person speaks about what they have done to contribute to their collective mission of working for the good of the environment, as well as the problems that need to be addressed by governments and by society. Each of them has also taken the #EarthDay pledge to do an #ActofGreen for Earth.

The projects they work within are varied, but each participant outlines their personal efforts and the groups they founded or those they volunteer with. Focused on a variety of areas such as protecting biodiversity, increasing the green cover, helping manage waste, aiming for zero waste, saving natural resources and educating those less fortunate the voices of the children and young people serve as examples for those working in the education and care sector about how they, too, may lead young children to make significant change in the world.

Karuna Singh, Regional Director of Earth Day Network, said that the Earth Day Network is pleased to bring together the voices of 50 youth from the region “as youth are the torch-bearers for a climate safe, sustainable and environment-friendly future”.

“We hope that all those who hear them speak are inspired to emulate their examples and that #MyFutureMyVoice builds bridges of friendship across the region so that a concerted effort is made for the environment.”

The videos will be globally broadcast today as part of Earth Day celebrations, and may be accessed through the Earth Day Network website, and social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram (@earthdaynetwork) and Twitter (@EarthDayNetwork)