With A Pure Heart: Children's World Summit for the Environment

TOYOHASHI CITY, Japan, August 1, 2005 (ENS) - Energy, biodiversity, water, and recycling are the environmental issues of greatest concern to young people from around the world who gathered for the Children’s World Summit for the Environment in Japan last week.

Organized by the United Nations Environment Programme, the Summit was held in connection with EXPO 2005 at Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture. Six hundred children, ages 10 to 14, from 65 nations gathered to debate the practical actions that can be taken to build Earth's future.

The delegates were selected from over 2,000 applicants, based on the environmental projects of their schools and organisations.

His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino of Japan served as the honorary president of the Summit. The prince’s family, including his two daughters, took part in activities during the program.

Fumio Kawaguchi, the adult who heads the Japan Organizing Committee for the meeting, said, "This Summit is unique in that the children themselves lead and shape the event. The theme of the Summit, “Creating Practical Change,” was decided on by the 11 Junior Board members from eight different countries.

"Children have honest eyes that see through the essence of things," Kawaguchi said, "and the power to consider the future of this planet with a pure heart."

Summit delegates read out the final declaration, They are flanked by the Expo 2005 mascots - on the left side of the stage is Kiccoro, the Forest Child, and on the right in dark green is Morizo, the Forest Grandfather. (Photos courtesy Children’s World Summit for the Environment)

"We commit ourselves to saving energy and using renewable energy sources," say the children in their statement.

They demand that the leaders set examples also in the issues of biodiversity, water and waste processing.

At the same time, they all commit themselves to environmentally friendly actions to make a difference for the future.

Shoko Takahashi, a Junior Board Member, said, "I have two aspirations for this Summit. The first is to realize a Summit that will help the environment. All the children that come to the Summit are very passionate about the environment, and think deeply about all kinds of things. I would like adults to realize that although we may be just children, we care very much about the environment."

UNEP Deputy Executive Director Shafquat Kakahel promised that the children’s message would be delivered to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

He assured the children that their message written on a 14 meter (46 foot) long canvas will have a prominent place in front of the UN headquarters in New York to remind the world’s presidents and prime ministers who will gather in New York at the World Summit in September 2005 of the hope that children have for a better environment.

Alex Lin was an editor of the Summit daily newsletter.

“It is difficult but not impossible to work for a green future,” said delegates, Marisa Tania from Indonesia. In her home town of Surabaya she says she cannot see the blue sky due to air pollution and the river Kalimas is badly polluted. During the meeting in Japan she learned about solutions to environmental issues from the new friends she made. It has inspired her to continue work for awareness in her ecology club at home, she says.

Delegate Vianka Kelicia Naick is from the small town of Umzinto in Kwa Zulu Natal province of South Africa. She told delegates, "For a long time, protection of the environment was seen as an elite activity. This was so mainly because of apartheid. Today, all races participate in environmental activities. As part of the Umzinto Secondary Environmental Club, Naick rehabilitating a wetland in the school's environment by eradicating alien trees and and shrubs.

Junior Board Member Ritsuya Kishida

"I want everyone to know that all the children involved in this Summit are suffering from such environmental problems somewhere in their lives, and want to find a solution to them," he said. "As environmental problems are a global issue, we can take a step towards solving them only when the nations of the world work together."

UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer, said, "This Children's World Summit is an important event - 2005 is especially significant. On the one hand, the United Nations celebrates its 60th anniversary but, more importantly, world leaders gathering at the World Summit in New York next September are expected to reshape the agenda of the United Nations. It is crucial that issues concerning the future of the environment and the future of children guide their discussions."

The Children's World Summit is part of UNEP's TUNZA program to involve children and young people in environmental issues. Tunza means "to treat with care and respect" in the Kiswahili language.

The next Tunza Children’s Conference on the environment will be held in Putrajaya, Malaysia, in August 2006.

http://www.children-summit.jp/