The world we want to live in - in children and young people’s words
Around the world people from business, politics, academia and civil society are talking about about what the international development agenda should look like after the Millennium Development Goals reach their 2015 deadline. This has become known as the “post-2015” debate.
As part of this, we wanted to find out what children and young people in the UK think is important for the world to focus its attention on. Between December 2012 and February 2013 we held a consultation which involved an online survey (which received 587 responses) and a series of workshops (with 89 children and young people).
Today UNICEF UK launches The world we want to live in; a summary of the outcomes and key findings of the consultation. You can read the full report here.
Here’s what some of our respondents had to say on the key issues:
On the MDGs:
“I think education is the most important goal – with education so many things can be achieved.”
“It is not OK to aim for a target by which to reduce hunger. Each life that is lost due to lack of food is a disaster.”
“I don’t like it how you have said reduce by ‘half’. That’s pointless – what about the other ‘half’? We should be working towards reducing it all.”
Why new goals should be for everyone everywhere
“All countries have something they need to work on.”
“I think we all need to work together. I don’t like the allies and teams made up between the countries. We are all human, and we all deserve the best. We have to help each other out, because ultimately it’s just us on the planet, and we have to be there for one another.”
“If you want to change the whole world, no one should be left out in making changes and improvements to themselves.”
“Just because we are not living in a developing country, it does not mean these issues are not ours to be aware of, be educated on and contribute to the solution.
“Why should we advocate gender equality or an end to hunger when we cannot abide by our own rules?”
What kind of world do you want?
“I want to live in a world where men and women are equal; end discrimination against women.”
“The world I want to live in has supportive, happy and safe people living in a clean, non-violent environment.”
“I want to live in a world where every individual has human rights and is able to have equality without racism or any type of discrimination”
“I want to live in a world where young people’s voices are heard, valued and recognised by decision-makers – and acted on.”
Involving young people in decision-making
“Let us have a say on what is happening, because as children we can bring a new perspective on the world and its issues.”
“We are part of the new generation of people who can achieve those goals.”
“Young people are the next generation – we need to know what is going on in our world.”
“Consider the fact that the decisions they (world leaders) make will influence the world that their children and grandchildren have to live in.”
