The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Child Rights Coalition Thailand, UNICEF Thailand, World Vision Thailand and other civil society organisations joined forces to address the child rights crisis caused by climate change.
“48.6% of children in Thailand experience aggressive relationships within the family which tend to grow more adverse impacts due to challenges arising from environmental crises. Globally, over 1.7 million children die every year because of unfavourable environments,” Prof Dr Boonchai Hongcharu, Chair of World Vision Foundation of Thailand Board of Directors, mentioned the current situation of violence against children and the child rights crisis due to climate change.
According to UNICEF’s report, ‘The Climate Crisis is a Child Rights Crisis’, Thailand ranks 9th among countries severely impacted by climate change. Additionally, Thai children rank 50th out of 163 countries globally on the Children’s Climate Risk Index. These findings highlight the urgent need to recognise climate change as a significant contributing factor to violence against children.
To raise awareness and mobilise action to address the child rights crisis caused by climate change, World Vision Thailand, in partnership with Child Rights Coalition Thailand, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, UNICEF Thailand, the National Youth Council of Thailand, and a network of civil society organisations including Terre des Hommes Germany, Save the Children Thailand, The Center for the Protection of Children’s Rights Foundation, SOS Children’s Villages Thailand, Childline Thailand Foundation, Internet Foundation for the Development of Thailand, Plan International Thailand, The Life Skills Development Foundation, and CRC Lanna, co-organised the Child Safe Friendly Environment event and the launch to celebrate the Convention on the Rights of the Child General Comment No. 26 (GC26) on the Rights of the Child and the Environment, with a focus on climate change, at the national level.
This event, which was held at The EmQuartier on November 29, 2023, part of World Vision Thailand’s End Violence Against Children campaign, marked a historic milestone as government agencies, international and national civil society organisations, and children and youth united to drive this critical initiative. The event was generously supported by Thai Yamazaki, and Suntory Beverage Food (Thailand) Limited.
The event featured a wide range of activities highlighting the impacts of climate change and showcasing initiatives by children and youth from civil society organisations to promote children’s rights and environmental protection. Panel discussions provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas and collaborate on creating safe and child-friendly environments. Additionally, various organisations shared their approaches to addressing both the climate crisis and the child rights crisis.
General Comment No 26 highlights the direct link between children's rights, the environment, and climate change.
The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, with the participation of over 16,331 children and young people from 121 countries nationwide, has developed General Comment No 26 (GC26), which highlights “the interconnectedness of children’s rights, the environment, and climate change.” This groundbreaking document was launched globally last September.”
“Children have the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. Governments have a responsibility to protect children not only from immediate dangers but also from future threats to their rights, which may arise from the actions or omissions of all sectors. I urge everyone to prioritise children’s rights and environmental issues, and to empower children and youth to drive change and propose policy recommendations so that every child can grow up in a beautiful world.” This is part of the sharing of Saknarin Khamthat, a former sponsored child of World Vision Thailand, a youth representative.
Thailand endorses General Comment No 26 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Rights of the Child and the Environment
Thailand has embraced the guidelines outlined in General Comment No 26 (GC26). Mr Anukul Peedkaew, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, presided over the Child Safe Friendly Environment event and emphasised as follows:
“Climate change is a pressing issue that requires our collective attention and action. The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, has prioritised climate change as a key policy area. Efforts are focused on building resilience among vulnerable groups such as children, youth, women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly. Through the establishment of children and youth councils at all levels, young people are empowered to play a role in raising awareness and preparedness for climate change among all target groups.”
Mrs Kyungsun Kim, the UNICEF Representative for Thailand, one of the key partners driving this initiative, said, “General Comment No. 26 is crucial as it highlights how environmental degradation and climate change impact children’s rights, and underscores the responsibilities of governments and other stakeholders to protect children’s rights so they can grow up in a safe and healthy environment. When designing policies and addressing environmental issues, children’s rights must be a central consideration.”
The Child Safe Friendly Environment event and the launch to celebrate the General Comment No. 26 (GC26) on children’s rights and the environment, with a focus on climate change at the national level, marked the beginning of a journey to address the growing crisis of children’s rights, environmental degradation, and climate change.
According to the children and youth who participated in the event, along with the voices of children worldwide who contributed to the development of General Comment No 26 (GC26), “Children are not just asking us to care for them. They are demanding that we adults do more to protect them, advocate for them, especially for youth climate activists,” Ms Issaraporn Daoram, the committee of Child Rights Coalition Thailand, left a message to ponder.
