Amid G20 summit, a children’s Kidizens’20 ask global leaders for carbon tax, workforce gender equality and inclusive education

Amid the ongoing G-20 Summit held in New Delhi, the finale of Kidizens’20 (K20), a kids’ version of the global event was held virtually today.

The discussions focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and they formulated recommendations to global leaders on making the world fit for children and all. The recommendations will be incorporated into the mid-term review evaluation process on the SDGs scheduled to be held in New York in September this year.

The children pressed for investment in inclusive education for children with disabilities, addressing the shortage of qualified teachers and promoting children’s mental health. Gender equality in workforce, promoting girls’ education, introduction of carbon tax, addressing climate change were also key demands. The children also raised the demand for promoting sanitation, hygiene in schools and communities, bridging the gap of quality healthcare access among less privileged and marginalised communities.

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Ruksar Rehman, 16, President of the National Inclusive Children’s Parliament in a press release said, “We children may be just 18% of the world’s population and 36% of India’s population but we are 100% of the world’s future and therefore it is important for us to speak up now.”

Over 200 students from schools and non-profit organisations across the country participated in the event, according to the press release. Kidizens (child-citizens) is a word coined by the children themselves to represent their engagement as active citizens of today’s decision-making processes.