Children and youth from various schools, colleges and public universities discussed their experiences of dealing with climate change impacts, vulnerabilities and way forwards to address these challenges here in a first of its kind conference on climate change risks to the future of children in Pakistan, held in a hotel in Karachi.
The conference attracted participation of more than 150 children and youth, concerned government officials and civil society representatives who opined that children’s rights of dignified access to safe water, sanitation, quality education, food, health, socialization, participation and association are affected in any disaster.
They called for strengthening disaster management and adaptation mechanisms in the province. The conference was organized by the Research and Development Foundation (RDF) in collaboration with a German International Child Focused Development Organization Kindernothilfe (KNH), co-financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Government of Sindh.
Counsel General of Federal Republic of Germany in Karachi, His Excellency Mr. Holger Ziegler inaugurated the conference. While addressing the audience, Chief Guest Mr. Murtaza Wahab, Advisor to Chief Minister of Sindh on Law, said awareness regarding climate change is very crucial for mitigating its affects. He appreciated the strategies of RDF to engage women, children and youth from Tharparkar, Khipro and far-flung areas of seven districts of Sindh who are interacting with German experts and German Consulate. He encouraged the audience not to rely on politicians and government only but to take the responsibility themselves to play their role in the fight against climate change. He also emphasized the audience to take the serious precautions of COVID-19 with the same spirit as they are taking for climate change. Mr. Hogler, Consul General of Germany in Karachi, recognized the efforts of RDF for supporting Pakistan’s government to explore future actions to address climate related challenges from children and youth perspective. “There is a dire need for people to recognize the severity of climate change impacts,” he added and encouraged children and youth to play an active role in combating climate change. Youth Leader from Germany Ms Line Niedeggen interacted with the children and youth and described how the Fridays for Future movement in Germany is mobilizing youth for climate resilience building. While sharing her journey of staring this movement in Germany, she said that in initial days, they received an amazing response from the children and youth and they showed their willingness to join their movement. “People should listen to science not on individuals, not on Greta, not on me but on the best scientific results,” she emphasized. The youth raised the concerns that the children become worst and first affected of any disaster in the country, therefore, their future comes at risk and they face severe problems of displacement, loss of education, health, food security and protection. Children of The Nexus School Jamshoro performed a tableau on an inspirational environmental song ‘Na Kato Bara DukhtaHai’ (Do not cut me, it pains much) that got a huge applaud of the audience.
