Guardians of the Planet: Asia Pacific children and youth voices on climate crisis and disaster risk reduction

The worldwide youth movement that brought over 10 million people to the streets in September 2019, is calling on people across the world to take part in ‘climate strikes’. In Asia and the Pacific, from August 2019 to January 2020, a total of 9,681 children and youth from over 12 countries voiced out their views and opinions on climate disasters. These children and youth represented Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, and the Solomon Islands. They participated through on-line surveys and face-to-face workshops to give voice to their concerns for the well-being of the planet.

The consultation with children aimed to:

• Seek the views and experiences of children and youth on disaster risk and change and their hopes for the future;
• Raise awareness on the importance of disaster risk reduction and climate crisis among children and youth; and
• Equip and demonstrate the contribution and capacity of children and youth in reducing disaster risks for themselves, their peers, families, and communities.