Principles For Ensuring No Child is Left Behind At The Paris Summit

Children and their rights must be at the heart of the preparations and outcomes of the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact, scheduled to be held in Paris 22-23 June 2023. It is widely acknowledged that the world is in a period of polycrisis, driven by the climate emergency, conflict and worsening inequality. What is often less acknowledged is that children are bearing the brunt of these crises, especially children most affected by inequality and discrimination.

The goal of the Summit – to build a new global financing pact to respond to this moment of crisis – is laudable. However, to unlock the financing that is so urgently needed, three key principles must guide preparation for the Summit and negotiations on deliverables.

This paper explains what these principles are and makes the case for children’s voices and perspectives to be central in discussions.