Register Now! Online International Roundtable on Indigenous Children's Voices & Rights - Sat 9 Aug, 2025

In celebration of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

Are you interested in learning about the links between education, Indigenous rights and sustainability?

Are you inspired by the leadership of children and youth to advance the global Sustainable Development Goals?

Would you like to help implement the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, by encouraging Indigenous children’s voices?

Join us for a special International Roundtable on Indigenous Children’s Voices & Rights for Sustainability, an engaging online dialogue that brings together child and youth leaders, as well as experts, educators, and advocates working to promote the rights of Indigenous Peoples and children around the world.

This roundtable will feature:
✨ Inspiring contributions from Indigenous child and youth leaders
🌱 Interactive discussions on advancing children’s rights and sustainability
📚 A celebration of the newest winning stories by Indigenous child authors, joining the UNESCO Voices of Future Generations Book Series

Let’s come together to celebrate Indigenous resilience, wisdom, and storytelling—and to take action toward a more inclusive and sustainable future.

👉 Register Now to be part of this global conversation.

 
 

International Roundtable on Indigenous Children’s Voices & Rights

Saturday 09 August 2025

9:00 am PST/ 12:00 pm EST / 5:00 pm BST

Venue: Zoom Online Platform.

*Event programme coming soon!

Announcing the Winners of the 2025 Call for Indigenous Child Authors

In a vibrant showcase of creativity and cultural expression, we are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025 Call for Stories written by Indigenous children. This year’s contest, which was possible thanks to a grant from the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada, invited young Indigenous storytellers to share their unique voices and perspectives while highlighting the cultural heritage of their families and communities.


MEET THE WINNERS

GOLD

VIENNA SWAMPY

Story: The Land Before Us

Vienna Swampy is a 13-year-old girl from Samson Cree Nation in Alberta.

She loves sports, especially competitive running and is currently on her local track team. When she’s not on the track, she is often found reading classic novels, playing her guitar in her room, and spending time writing. She also loves contributing to her Christian church and focusing on her academics at school. She loves learning her language and supporting her Cree culture and people in every way she can. She has a great desire to be a surgeon someday and help others in need.


SILVER

KIONA JACOBS-PLAIN

Story: Biidaaske and the Echo of Healing

Kiona is a proud Anishinaabe student from Aamjiwnaang First Nation who honours her roots through powwow dancing, spreading Indigenous awareness, and active community involvement.

A passionate fancy shawl dancer, she celebrates her culture by performing at local and national gatherings, keeping traditions alive through movement and story. Academically, she maintains honours and is currently enrolled in Grade 11 courses focused on law, psychology, and sociology. These subjects reflect her deep interest in justice, mental health, and community safety. Outside of school, Kiona is an athlete who enjoys playing volleyball, softball, badminton, and slo-pitch.

She values staying active and believes that sports are a powerful way to build confidence, leadership, and teamwork in young people. She also balances part-time work as a babysitter, volunteering, attending youth programs, and fundraising initiatives. She cares deeply about causes that uplift Indigenous youth, support mental health awareness, and promote equality within communities. She values wisdom, health, kindness, and cultural pride, believing in the power of education and tradition to empower future generations. Her future goals include attending university to double major in criminology and psychology, completing a co-op program, and eventually working as a 911 dispatcher or criminal investigator. Through her voice, actions, and connection to her culture, she hopes to inspire others to embrace who they are, stand up for what’s right, and make meaningful changes in their communities.


BRONZE

LISSIE MAKIMMAK USUITUAYUK

Story: The New Moon

Lissie is an urban Inuk living in Kjipuktuk (home of the Mi’kmaq), Nova Scotia, and is originally from Salluit, Nunavik (Quebec).

Lissie is active in her local Indigenous community where she learns from Elders about the importance of culture and identity in shaping her future. She spends time in Nunavik twice a year learning more about her Inuit culture and takes part in traditional activities like gathering on the land, sewing, and beading. She then shares her learned knowledge by mentoring local Inuit children who do not have the same access to the North as she does.

Lissie’s favourite subjects in school are Science and English. Lissie uses Two-Eyed Seeing (Etuaptmumk) to view the world as she realizes the importance of both in the modern world. Lissie played soccer on Team Mi’kmaw Nova Scotia at the last North American Indigenous Games in Halifax and was one of the youngest players on the team. She is looking forward to the 2027 games that will take place in Calgary. Lissie is an artist, an actor, and, most recently, a writer. Lissie knows that she is very lucky to live and be welcome in both worlds and that she has a duty to ensure that her Inuit culture continues on for generations to come. Lissie’s story was inspired by the resiliency and bravery of her northern and southern families who have worked together to make sure that she knows who she is and where she has come from. Everyone, including Lissie, is excited to see and celebrate what her future holds.


HONOURABLE MENTIONS

MADDY MCCARDLE

Story: Discovering My Roots: Journey To Gayogohó:no

Maddy McCardle is 15 years old and from Calgary Alberta.

She was adopted as a baby, and was not sure where she was from but later found out that her birth grandfather and mother are from the Cayuga nation. Maddy enjoys drawing, painting, and sewing ribbon skirts. She played for her high school's junior varsity basketball team placing fourth in South Central Zones 2025. She enjoys school most of the time, her favorite subjects being English, Social Studies, art, and Phys Ed. She likes to be around her friends, and family, especially her little siblings. Maddy has been very passionate about Indigenous studies particularly Truth and Reconciliation, MMIWG, Residential schools and the Sixties Scoop. She would like to help raise awareness about these specific subjects and why they are important to learn about. And also be able to help younger Indigenous kids understand their rights, as well as finding where they come from. Maddy’s goal for the future is to inspire young children with not only this story but her story too, in that you can find who you are and where you come from, along with being proud of your family and culture.


EMMA VISSCHER

Story: Lucy Goes to Buffalo Jump

Emma Visscher is a bright and ambitious 10-year-old student from Calgary, Alberta, with a rich cultural heritage as a proud Métis and Dutch Canadian.

Currently enrolled in a French immersion program, Emma is passionate about languages, which fuels her love for learning. A natural storyteller, Emma finds joy in both writing and reading imaginative and fun-filled stories that spark creativity. She has a vivid imagination and enjoys crafting worlds where anything is possible. When she’s not writing, Emma also loves playing basketball and is intrigued by musical theatre. Emma dreams big, with aspirations to one day take the stage on Broadway and dazzle audiences with her performances. She also hopes to write and publish a book, sharing her creativity and passion with the world. With her dedication to her craft and her love for adventure, Emma is on a path to achieve great things in the world of arts and storytelling.


MATHIEU LANTEIGNE

Story: Seven Tries to Freedom

Mathieu Lanteigne is a 10 year-old from Calgary, Alberta, with a big imagination, a love for the outdoors, and a heart full of pride for his Métis roots.

With heritage on both sides of his family, his dad from New Brunswick and his mom from Saskatchewan, Mathieu carries a strong sense of identity wherever he goes and is curious to learn more about his ancestors. Mathieu loves staying active, whether he’s on the ice playing hockey or kicking around a soccer ball with his friends. When he’s not playing sports, you’ll often find him drawing, writing stories, or exploring nature with his loyal dog, Rosie, by his side. He has a creative mind and a deep appreciation for art and storytelling, always coming up with new ideas and adventures. Family means everything to Mathieu. He looks up to his older brother, Kyron, and is always looking out for the people he loves. His protective nature shines through in his biggest dream: to become a soldier one day and help protect his country and the people in it. Mathieu is brave, kind, and full of potential—and his journey is just beginning.


We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and participants. Your voices are vital, and your stories are a precious gift to us all!

Our deepest gratitude to the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada for making this contest possible and to the Indigenous Leadership Commission for judging the contest entries. Together, we contribute to the empowerment of young writers and to the preservation of Indigenous storytelling for future generations.

Call for Stories and Artwork for Next Futures Anthology Now Open!


Do you know any creative, articulate youth from ages 10-20 worldwide who might be interested in submitting their creative and inspiring 3-5 page stories to be selected, edited and published?

Would you like to help them win awards and have their work published internationally?

Would like to empower young people to engage with global sustainability, justice, and the future that we want?

If so, the Center for International Sustainable Development Law is encouraging you to share the following opportunity with young people who want to make a difference in building a sustainable future. 

The Voices of Future Generations (VoFG) Children´s Initiative, in partnership with the Global Youth Council on Science, Law and Sustainability, is seeking stories by youth about the future they want, inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals

At this time, young people ages 8-20 and their families or friends, from around the world, are invited to submit short stories (3-5 pages) about fictional characters from their region of the world and any SDGs of interest, along with a 50-word biography, in order to be considered for awards and publication.

The stories should creatively and imaginatively communicate a message about global sustainability, justice and the future we want. Stories with characters and settings that share children's culture and unique environment or local realities will be preferred. Importantly, the stories should be about the kind of future that young people would like to see (this can include, of course, stories about dystopian futures they don’t want, and how to avoid it).

The top stories will be chosen to feature in the Anthology, with the young writers winning Platinum, Gold or Silver Awards for their work.

Original artwork submissions will also be accepted. The Gold-winning artwork will be chosen as the cover for the Anthology.

This book will be published internationally, raising the voices of future generations and spreading our messages for a fair and sustainable tomorrow among peers and global networks, worldwide. 

An International Commission of leading experts and agencies, together with youth leaders from around the world including VoFG alumni, will select the winning entries.


Eligibility:

(1) open to all youth from all countries or communities ages 8-20,

(2) written with sustainability and our future in mind!

(3) format: entries should be 3-5 pages single-spaced, size 12, and include a 50-word biography.

(4) language: Stories must be submitted in English or accompanied by an English translation if written in another language.


Guidelines for artwork submissions:

(1) Artwork must be the original work of the contestant. 

(2) Contestants can participate in both the story and artwork contest.

(3) Acceptable formats are: jpeg, png, jpg, and pdf.


How to Apply:

Please submit your entries via our online forms. Applications sent via email will not be accepted.

Deadline: June 30, 2025.

 

Criteria for Awards:

The stories will be judged for:

(1) originality,

(2) creative thinking,

(3) link to key messages from the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

(4) specific focus on achieving one to three of the most crucial UN Sustainable Development Goals that addresses the most important problems and solutions special to the young writer’s culture, community or country.

To get a sense of the kind of stories we are looking for, please read the last edition here: Futures 2024

If you have any questions about the contest, please contact GYC Vice Chair and Futures editor Nico Roman at nico.roman@vofg.org cc’ ela.martinez@vofg.org

Announcing the Launch of Futures 2025: A Global Anthology of Young Voices on Sustainability

This collection of award-winning short stories from young authors worldwide sheds light on climate change, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the transformative power of youth imagination.

The much-anticipated anthology Futures 2025: A Compilation of Short Stories from Young Authors from Around the World is now available, offering a unique and powerful collection of narratives that span continents and cultures. Edited by young sustainability leader, climate activist and scholar Nico Cordonier GehringFutures 2025 brings together twenty-eight award-winning short stories written by talented young authors from around the world, each addressing the most pressing issues of our time: climate change, sustainability, and the future of our planet.

From the resourceful adventure of a young girl who generates electricity from trash to the plight of a blue macaw fighting to save the Amazon rainforest, the anthology explores a wide range of perspectives on the global challenges posed by climate change. Through compelling narratives, readers are invited to discover what lurks in whispering forests, what secrets lie hidden in seascapes, and what lessons are waiting to be learned from a constellation of young mathematicians.

This creative and diverse collection is one of the initiatives of the Global Youth Council on Science, Law, and Sustainability (GYC), in partnership with the Voices of Future Generations Children's Initiative (VoFG CI). The Council itself was founded by passionate students, united in their mission to advance environmental education and advocate for the rights of children facing the harsh realities of climate change.

“We started with a small team and a contest, sending a call out to all our networks. We received over 200 hundred entries from more than 60 countries! The selection of the winning stories was made by an international panel of distinguished judges, who were really impressed with the creativity of the stories," shares Nico Roman, the British and Canadian young editor of Futures 2025. “Our book is dedicated to the children who speak up so that the voices of our generation can be heard.”

Through the power of storytelling, the young authors featured in Futures share their hopes for a better world—one where communities unite, where nature is preserved, and where no one is left behind. This anthology uplifts the voices and concerns of children and youth representing diverse regions and communities, revealing the transformative power of their ideals, imagination, and determination.

A key contributor to the selection process, Professor Pamela Towela Sambo, Chair of the UN Human Rights Commission of Zambia, shared her thoughts on the anthology: “Each story reveals the intersection of the SDGs with the rights of children – showing how education, health, gender equality, access to water and energy, and climate action are not unrealistic dreams, but part of an indivisible commitment to human dignity.”

Several of the young writers also served, along with VoFG CI Child Authors and Ambassadors, as instructors in a new online course offered by University of Cambridge colleges and institutes, teaching the key essentials of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Sustainable Development and the Law. 

Special gratitude was conveyed, during the book’s online launch on the International Day of Education in January 2025, to Rene Steiner from Steinergraphics whose art was deeply appreciated, and to Phoebe McElligott who supported the youth throughout the project, as well as to the panel of distinguished judges.

As the world grapples with pressing global sustainability and justice challenges, Futures serves as a call to action and an inspiration for all of us. It highlights the urgent need to listen to the voices of youth, empowering them to lead the way toward a brighter, more sustainable future for all.

The anthology is available for free as a downloadable PDF. Physical copies can also be purchased on Amazon.

To learn more about the young editor Nico Cordonier Gehring’s efforts to tackle climate change and speak up for nature, visit https://nicosnaturalworld.org.


About the Global Youth Council on Science, Law, and Sustainability
The Global Youth Council on Science, Law, and Sustainability is an international platform for youth engagement on critical environmental issues. Through publications, campaigns, and advocacy, the Council empowers young people to take action and raise awareness of the challenges that children face due to climate change. By fostering collaboration across borders, the Council promotes a global movement for sustainability and environmental justice.

Call for Indigenous Child Authors 2024-2025 Now Open!

Are you between 8 and 17 years old and a member of an Indigenous community in Canada? 

Do you have creative ideas and a story to tell?

This is your chance to become a published Child Author!

We invite you to write a creative short story that focuses on children’s rights, sustainability, and a better future for everyone! This is your chance to share your thoughts and dreams about how the world can be a better place for Indigenous children and their communities.

The Voices of Future Generations Children’s Initiative, working with the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada, is looking for stories that celebrate resilience and healing and promote awareness about the rights of Indigenous peoples.

Get Ready to Participate!

  • Who Can Enter?
    Indigenous children between 8 and 17 years old from Canada whose families or communities have been impacted by the Sixties Scoop.

  • Story Theme:
    Your story should feature child characters that represent your community and cultural heritage. It should raise awareness about Indigenous children’s rights and encourage others to understand the importance of those rights, as described by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

  • What Should Your Story Include?
    You can submit a full story (1,200-1,500 words) or a story idea/outline (200-300 words) with the commitment to develop the full story if selected. We’re looking for creative and imaginative stories where young heroes solve problems, dream of a better future, and show us how to make the world a more fair and sustainable place for all children.

  •  In your application you will also need to include a short 100-word biography about yourself. 

Prizes and Rewards:

  • There will be Gold, Silver, and Bronze prizes to the best stories, including medals, certificates, and cash prizes ($300 for gold, $250 for Silver, and $100 for Bronze)

  • The top winner will have their story published as a book, illustrated by a professional illustrator, and shared with readers all over the world!

  • Silver and bronze winners will join a special group of young leaders, called Child Ambassadors, to help raise awareness about children's rights and inspire change.

Important Details to Remember:

How to Enter:

For inspiration, you can read past winning stories by Indigenous Child Authors that were published such as The Brothers' Reunion by Sydnee Wynter Amie Nisyok and Finding the Language by Adelyn Newman-Ting

Not sure how to begin? check out our webpage with creative writing resources 

Need help? Request a brief coaching session with our team by sending an email to Ela Martinez at ela.martinez@vofg.org 

Grab your pen, let your creativity flow, and share your story with the world!

Your voice is important, and we can’t wait to hear what you have to say!


This program is supported by a generous grant from the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada.








New Book Release – The Brothers' Reunion by Sydnee Wynter Nisyok

We are thrilled to announce the release of The Brothers' Reunion, an inspiring new book written by Indigenous Child Author Sydnee Wynter Nisyok and illustrated by Celia Tian.

The Brothers' Reunion follows the journey of young Jimmy from the Nisga'a Nation as he uncovers his grandfather's painful separation from his brother during the Sixties Scoop. Motivated by a deep sense of family and justice, Jimmy embarks on an adventure with his friends to reunite the brothers. Along the way, they explore important themes of human rights, children's rights, and Indigenous peoples' rights, piecing together the past while strengthening their own community bonds. As Jimmy navigates this journey, he discovers his calling as an advocate for his people.

A Valuable Educational Resource

The Brothers' Reunion, can be an invaluable resource for education on topics regarding human and children's rights.

It provides a narrative that introduces readers to the Sixties Scoop, a historical injustice where Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and communities. By presenting this story in an age-appropriate manner, young readers can understand the impact of these actions on families and communities, fostering historical awareness and empathy.

Through the experiences of the characters, key concepts of human rights and children's rights and themes of family, identity, and belonging can be explored, while appreciating the importance of cultural heritage and the role of community in shaping individuals' lives.

The book can be integrated into various subjects, allowing educators and learners to draw connections between historical events and contemporary societal issues.

We invite readers of all ages to dive into The Brothers' Reunion and join Jimmy on his inspiring quest. Together, we can foster understanding and awareness of the historical and ongoing impacts of the Sixties Scoop while celebrating the resilience of Indigenous communities.

“The Brothers’ Reunion is a heartwarming story of enduring love and determination. A clear and thoughtful exploration of the Sixties Scoop and an important addition to Indigenous literature.”
— Eden Robinson, Author, Haisla Nation

For more information and to download your free PDF, click here:


About Sydnee Wynter Nisyok:

Sydnee belongs to the Ganada (frog) Clan and comes from the house of Ksim Xsaan from the Nisga’a Nation. She also belongs to the ‘iksduqwi’inixw (eagle) clan from the Haisla Nations in Northern British Columbia. Sydnee is grounded in her culture and learns her role with her Nox (mother) Loretta and supported by her Nigwoot (father) Walter to ensure she has teachings that support her in every stage of life. Sydnee is passionate about learning. Science and English are her favourite subjects and she plays the guitar and piano for fun.

She is also a dedicated basketball player and helped her basketball team win the Championship at the Jr. All Native in 2024. Her awareness around the history of Indigenous people and the rights of the child has inspired her to write her story, as the Sixties’s Scoop has had a direct impact on her family. Sydnee’s story was encouraged by her family’s resiliency, and she wants to inspire Indigenous youth to advocate for their rights and the rights of their communities and to be a beacon of hope and light for older and younger generations.


This book was made possible thanks to the generous support of the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada (NSSHFC), whose commitment to healing and reconciliation has helped bring this important story to life.

Watch Now! Dialogue featuring Dr Ngozi Okonjo- Iweal (WTO) and VoFG Child Author Rehema Kibugi

New groundbreaking lecture and dialogue featuring Dr Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization, and Rehema Kibugi, an alumna of the UN Voices of Future Generations Children’s Initiative, is now available to watch.

Trade and investment flows are often criticised for their sustainability impacts, yet, if harnessed properly through cutting-edge international law and governance, trade can help rather than hinder the global sustainable development goals. In world-class lecture and dialogue now available online which features Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization, and Rehema Kibugi, Child Author in the UN Voices of Future Generations Children’s Initiative. This briefing highlights how trade law and policy are evolving to address our world’s challenges, underlining the idea that the WTO can and must be part of an urgent Re-globalisation towards sustainability, building on its poverty-eradication potential and green comparative advantage.

Those interested can watch now, with no cost!

The video link can also be shared widely to inform further discussion on the topic and can be deployed for education and awareness.

During the dialogue, Rehema Kibugi, Child Author in the UN Voices of Future Generations Children’s Initiative, shares her question to the global biennial lecture experts: “Nearly one in five children worldwide live in extreme poverty and many of these children are from developing countries that are heavily dependent on global trade. As we look towards the future, what strategies or policies can be implemented to promote intergenerational equity in world trade? Dr Ngozi, what advice would you have for young women looking to lead, inspire and make a difference?”

The Democratising Education for Global Sustainability and Justice programme supports this mission by providing online courses on sustainable development law and policy and how they can be harnessed to further the SDGs and the Global Biodiversity Framework or linked with Trade Rules.

More information can be found under this link: https://degsj.org/educational-offerings/

Announcing the Winners of the 2024 Call for Indigenous Child Authors

In a vibrant showcase of creativity and cultural expression, we are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2024 Call for Stories written by Indigenous children. This year’s contest, which was possible thanks to a grant from the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada, invited young Indigenous storytellers to share their unique voices and perspectives while highlighting the cultural heritage of their families and communities.

Meet the Winners

Platinum

Sydnee Wynter Aime Nisyok

Story:

The Brothers’ Reunion

Sydnee Wynter Amie Nisyok is from the Ganada (frog) Clan of the Nisga’a Nation and Haisla Nation in Northern British Columbia. With a passion for science, she thrives on learning new things while cherishing moments with her closest friends. Sydnee also has a passion for animals, as seen in her affection for her three beloved pets. As an Earth Ranger, she dedicates herself to environmental missions, striving to protect both animals and the planet. Beyond her conservation efforts, Sydnee finds joy in sports like soccer and basketball, as well as activities like dancing, swimming, horseback riding, and playing tunes on her guitar. With a dream to become a scientist and make a positive impact on the world, Sydnee's ambitions are as vast as her love for nature. Sydnee’s story idea is inspired by the experience of her grandfather, whose brother was “scooped”. With her story, she wants to inspire Indigenous youth to advocate for their rights and the rights of their communities and to be a beacon of hope and light for older and younger generations.

Gold

dominic beardy

Story:

Lessons from the Ancestors

Dominic is a 9-year-old from Little Saskatchewan First Nation and Wiikwemikong First Nation. He is a proud student at Darwin School in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he attends 3rd grade. When he is not in the classroom, you'll likely find him out on the soccer field, playing with his friends. One of Dominic's favorite spots in his community is the local park. He enjoys being outdoors and in contact with nature. He also has a passion for reading. Books are his gateway to imagination and discovery, and he treasures every story he reads. In the future, he would like to be a professional soccer player and a published author. Inspired by the rich traditions of his family, Dominic crafted a story idea that celebrates his cultural heritage and honours the legacy of his ancestors. Through his story, he plans to bring awareness to the challenges faced by Indigenous children and to inspire them to uphold their culture.

Gold

demayani hernández hernández

Story:

Julio’s Village

Demayani Hernández Hernández is a 14-year-old student at Manuel M. Ponce High School and resides in the charming village of Coacuilco, Hidalgo, Mexico. While Spanish is the primary language, Nahuatl also weaves through the community, reflecting its rich linguistic heritage. In her spare time, Demayani delights in singing and dancing, using these activities to express her creativity. She's dedicated to her studies and has ambitious dreams, including becoming fluent in Nahuatl and learning other languages like English and Korean. Known for her responsibility and quick learning, Demayani is eager to expand her horizons and connect further with her cultural roots.

silver

donny beardy

Story:

The Rain and The Sacred Fire

Donny is 10 years old from Little Saskatchewan First Nation and Wiikwemikong First Nation. He is a grade 5 student at Darwin School in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He loves learning and is passionate about sports. His favorite sports to play are soccer, hockey, and basketball. Beyond his athletic pursuits, Donny finds joy in quieter pastimes as well. He enjoys reading, drawing, and exploring various forms of art. Whether he is reading a story book, sketching, or engaged in a puzzle, Donny's curiosity and enthusiasm to engage in diverse activities is truly boundless. In the future, he would like to travel the world and explore different cities as a truck driver. Donny enjoys learning about his Indigenous heritage. He wrote his story idea inspired by the traditions and rituals of his family as well as a genuine concern for the environment.

silver

daira yamile juárez mora

Story:

Culture Equality

Thirteen-year-old Daira Yamile is a proud member of the Nahua people and lives in the scenic community of Coacuilco, located in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. As a vibrant and enthusiastic Year 8 student at Manuel M. Ponce General High School, Daira stands out not only for her academic dedication but also for her love of sports, particularly volleyball. Her intellectual curiosity is boundless, driving her to seek out new knowledge with enthusiasm. Reading is one of her favourite pastimes, and she finds it to be an endless source of inspiration and learning. This passion for knowledge fuels her ambition to become a surgeon, a dream she pursues with unwavering determination and the energy characteristic of her youth. Daira's journey is marked by a blend of cultural pride, academic zeal, and a commitment to her future aspirations, making her a remarkable young individual with a bright future ahead.

silver

dulce karen hernández flores

Story:

Guardians of The Sacred Tree

Dulce Karen Hernandez Flores, 14, is in year 8 at General Manuel M. Ponce High School. As a member of the Nahuatl indigenous group, Dulce Karen deeply values ​​her roots and culture. In her free time, she dedicates herself to her favourite hobbies: creating beautiful crafts, listening to music and getting lost in the pages of a good book. These activities not only relax her, but also stimulate her creativity and love of learning. Since she was little, Dulce Karen has had a great passion for teaching. Her goal is to inspire and educate future generations, connecting her vocation with the cultural heritage of her community and distinguishing herself both academically and in her cultural environment.


We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and participants. Your voices are vital, and your stories are a precious gift to us all!

Our deepest gratitude to the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada for making this contest possible and to the Indigenous Leadership Commission for judging the contest entries. Together, we contribute to the empowerment of young writers and to the preservation of Indigenous storytelling for future generations.

Announcing Our Esteemed Judges for the Stories for Futures Competition!

We are delighted to unveil the distinguished panel of judges who will be evaluating the submissions for Stories for Futures competition for young writers with a sustainable vision as Voices of Future Generations. With their extensive experience and deep appreciation for the written word, we are confident they will bring a unique perspective to the judging process.

Meet the Judges

  • Prof. Freya Beatens is a Professor of Public International Law at the Faculty of Law, and Director of the International Human Rights Summer School at the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights, also affiliated with the PluriCourts Centre of Excellence (Faculty of Law, Oslo University) and the Europa Institute (Faculty of Law, Leiden University).

  • Prof. Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger is a world-leading scholar and jurist in the field of sustainable development law governance. She is the Senior Director of CISDL and serves as Chair in Sustainable Development Law and Policy at the University of Cambridge.

  • Mr. Alistair Henfrey is the Head of the English Department at Winchester College.

  • Dr. Odette Lara-Morales is the Programme Manager of VoFG CI, an Associate Fellow at CISDL, a Lecturer at the University of Waterloo and a Project Officer with UNA-Canada.

  • Max Lee is an avid writer, poet, and creative who aspires to help young children find their niches as he did through his love for language and literature. In 2020, in the midst of an epidemic, Max founded a Hong Kong-based youth education company driven by his true joy in educating, Crown Education, teaching with a small group of young visionaries from drama to debate to poetry.

  • Elianys (Ela) Martínez is an educator with over six years of experience working with teachers, students, and families within and outside of the school context. Ela is the Programme Coordinator of VoFG CI and an Associate Fellow at CISDL.

  • Julie Smith, Baroness of Newnham is a current member of the House of Lords and an academic specialising in European politics at the University of Cambridge.

  • Prof. Pamela Towela Sambo, is the Head of Department, Private Law at the University of Zambia. She specialises in the legal aspects of environmental justice, EIAs and human rights.

We are honoured to have such an illustrious group of judges for this competition. Their diverse backgrounds and expertise will ensure a fair and insightful evaluation of each story.

Stay tuned for the results!

Register Now! Online International Roundtable on Indigenous Children's Voices & Rights - Sat 10 Aug, 2024

Save the Date! by VOFG Children

Are you interested in learning about the links between education, Indigenous rights and sustainability?

Are you inspired by the leadership of children and youth to advance the global Sustainable Development Goals?

Would you like to help implement the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, by encouraging Indigenous children’s voices?

This note invites you to a very special online International Roundtable on Indigenous Children's Voices & Rights, which takes place on Saturday 10 August 2024 at 9:00 am PST/ 12:00 pm EST / 5:00 pm BST in celebration of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples.

This International Roundtable on Indigenous Children’s Voices & Rights for Sustainability engages child and youth leaders from different nations, and also specialists and experts working to promote Indigenous Peoples' rights and the rights of the child, in an interactive dialogue to strengthen and promote Indigenous Children’s Rights and the global Sustainable Development Goals. The event will also highlight and celebrate new winning stories by Indigenous children who will join the UNESCO Voices of Future Generations Book Series.

We are delighted to invite you to register now!

 
 

International Roundtable on Indigenous Children’s Voices & Rights

Saturday 10 August 2024

9:00 am PST/ 12:00 pm EST / 5:00 pm BST

Venue: Zoom Online Platform.

*Event programme coming soon!

Global Youth Council on Science, Law and Sustainability Launches Call for Stories for Anthology

The Voices of Future Generations (VoFG) Children´s Initiative, in partnership with the Global Youth Council on Science, Law and Sustainability, is seeking stories by youth about the future they want, inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals. 

At this time, young people ages 8-20 and their families or friends, from around the world, are invited to submit short stories (3-5 pages, in English) about fictional characters from their region of the world and any SDGs of interest, along with a 50-word biography, in order to be considered for awards and publication.

The stories should creatively and imaginatively communicate a message about global sustainability, justice and the future we want. Stories with characters and settings that share children's culture and unique environment or local realities will be preferred. Importantly, the stories should be about the kind of future that young people would like to see (this can include, of course, stories about dystopian futures they don’t want, and how to avoid them).

The top stories will be chosen to feature in the Anthology, with the young writers winning Platinum, Gold or Silver Awards for their work.

This book will be published internationally, raising the voices of future generations and spreading our messages for a fair and sustainable tomorrow among peers and global networks, worldwide.

An International Commission of leading experts and agencies, together with youth leaders from around the world including VoFG alumni, will select the winning entries.

To learn more about the competition or to submit an entry, click on the button below:

Child Authors and Ambassadors Participate in The Goals Project 2024

Over the course of six weeks, VoFG Child Authors and Ambassadors participated as Youth Ambassadors in the 2024 edition of The Goals Project, inspiring more than 3,000 students worldwide with their ideas, actions, and visions for a more sustainable and just future.

The Goals Project is a free global collaboration project for all classrooms of the world. Since 2019, the project invites all All PreK-college classrooms to join, attracting more than 3,000 classrooms each year.

For this fourth edition, VoFG Child Authors Saira Thomas, Rehema Kibugi, Ryan Hill, Saoud Ahmed Alkaabi and Child Ambassadors Nico Roman, Anisa Daniel-Oniko, Emma Yu, Wezi Chilubanama, and Zachary Fathally created engaging videos which were shared each week with the project’s students. In their videos, these incredible young leaders shared about their passions and how they advocate for the SDGs in their respective regions and communities. They also gave inspiring words of encouoragement and calls to action, empowering other children to lift their voices and defend their rights and the rights of nature.

You can watch the videos of each Child Author and Ambassador, as well as the wonderful comments they received below:

Hecho con Padlet


VoFG CI receives grant from the Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation to publish new book by an Indigenous Child Author

It is an honour for the Voices of Future Generations Children´s Initiative to be given the opportunity to contribute to the healing journey and reconciliation of Sixties Scoop survivors, their descendants, and families through the Voices of Future Generations Children´s Initiative Project. 

This project, made possible by the Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation, will allow the VoFG CI to publish beautiful and powerful children's stories about the Sixties Scoop, survival, resilience, and healing, and it will provide a platform for children's voices to be heard across Canada and globally.

Through an awareness and engagement process both in schools and through informal cultural and educational networks, stories written by Indigenous Child Authors and Child Ambassadors who are descendants of Sixties Scoop Survivors or their families will be selected, edited, and illustrated. In addition, online and in-person youth and children’s events will be organized to celebrate the published stories and to expand the world´s knowledge and empathy for the experiences of survivors and their descendants, as well as to raise awareness about Indigenous Peoples' rights.

As these children’s voices and stories are recognized and celebrated, Sixties Scoop survivors and their descendants will benefit from increased awareness, understanding, and representation in children´s literature, which has the potential to inspire future generations to lead transformative changes in favor of a more just, equitable, peaceful, and sustainable world for all.

This project will be led by a CISDL Indigenous Leadership Commission of Sixties Scoop Survivors, families and descendants and Indigenous Peoples, providing direction and making decisions. The Indigenous Leadership Commission will guide outreach among Sixties Scoop Survivors and their families, shape events and activities, and ensure all are conducted in a culturally safe and trauma-informed manner. 

The VoFG CI deeply believes in the power of storytelling and children´s voices and eagerly looks forward to empowering Indigenous children to raise their voices, defend their rights, and share their inspiring stories and visions of a better future. 

Watch the grant signing celebration below:


Child Ambassador Nico Roman Raises More than £4,000 for Charities.

In a remarkable feat of determination and environmental commitment, VoFG Child Ambassador Nico Roman Cordonier-Gehring embarked on a 67-kilometer paddling journey from Cambridge to the sea to raise funds for charities dedicated to combating climate change and protecting children´s rights.

As wildfires, heatwaves and floods worsen, I am desperately concerned about the terrible impacts of climate change on our local fenlands and our natural systems worldwide, and on the most vulnerable people - especially children. Rather than staying sad and angry, though, this summer I decided to kayak from Cambridge where I live to the sea, to raise funds for local and global charities who are trying to protect children’s rights and nature from the impacts of climate change.
— Nico Roman

The courageous journey began early morning, with Nico pushing off from the Cam. Armed with determination, a strong sense of purpose, and the support of friends and family, he set his sights on completing the two-day 67-kilometre course. The journey was as much a test of his physical endurance as it was a testament to his unwavering commitment to advocating for the rights of nature and children.

Nico was determined not just to complete the journey but also to raise funds for local and global charities. He set up an online fundraiser that garnered an outpouring of support from inspired individuals all over the world, surpassing his initial goal of £2,000 and raising more than £4,000 in donations!

The funds raised during this daring adventure were donated to global charities the Voices for Future Generations Children's Initiative (vofg.org) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (iucn.org), and to local charities Wicken Fen (nationaltrust.org.uk) and the Cambridge Botanic Gardens (botanic.cam.ac.uk).

Nico presenting one of the charities with a donation.

Nico expressed his motivation for undertaking this journey, saying, "I love our natural world. I believe it is important to protect and restore habitat for endangered species (including my two Hermann's Tortoises), and to advance the global Sustainable Development Goals, especially by empowering youth and children. Climate change is getting worse, not better, and we need to do everything we can to support organisations who are helping to make a difference."

After reaching his 67km goal, Nico´s effort did not end there. He decided to create a Fundraising and Awareness Handbook to continue inspiring youth to take action.

I love our natural world. I believe it is important to protect and restore habitat for endangered species (including my two Hermann’s Tortoises), and to advance the global Sustainable Development Goals, especially by empowering youth and children. Climate change is getting worse, not better, and we need to do everything we can to support organisations who are helping to make a difference.
— Nico Cordonier-Gehring

As climate change remains a pressing concern for communities worldwide, Nico´s determination is a shining example of how individuals, regardless of their age, can make a profound impact in the fight for a more sustainable future.

Child Authors Engage with Students in the Dominican Republic

As part of their reading and writing class, the 6th grade class at Colegio Triumphare in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, read part of the VOFG book collection. Inspired by the books and the fact that the authors are young people just like them, they wrote their own book about the sustainable development issues that impact their country. They also invited VoFG child authors to connect with them online so they could discuss the books further. 

The Voices of Future Generations child authors Ying-Xuan Lai, Rehema Kibugi, and Saira Thomas appreciated this opportunity to inspire fellow young students and connected with the students over Zoom. They were warmly welcomed by the school community and openly answered many questions. The students were eager to learn more about how Ying-Xuan, Rehema and Saira became young leaders in their communities, and what they want others to get out of their books. They also inquired how knowing that so many people will read their stories made them feel. The event was skillfully moderated and translated into English and Spanish by Elianys Martinez and the students themselves. 

The Voices of Future Generations Children’s Initiative thanks these young leaders for their hospitality and for taking the initiative to organize this exchange. It was inspiring to meet a group of confident, creative, and engaged young students from another part of the world. We wish our new friends in the Dominican Republic the very best of luck and success in all their future initiatives for our planet!

Help Nico to raise £2,000 for local and global charities working to protect children and nature from terrible climate change!

We are raising £2,000 for local and global charities working to protect children and nature from terrible climate change by paddling to the sea this summer!

://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/nico-cordoniergehring

Hello, my name is Nico. I am fourteen years old, a scholar at Winchester College, and I live in Cambridge, UK. As wildfires, heatwaves and floods worsen, I am desperately concerned about the terrible impacts of climate change on our local fenlands and our natural systems worldwide, and on the most vulnerable people especially children.

Together with my friend Wezi from Zambia, I recently wrote a response to the Call on General Comment 26 for the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, about children's rights and the environment, especially the importance of fighting climate change and protecting nature. We studied the science, also the politics, and became very, very worried. Our future, our very survival, is at stake. Children and nature, who are voiceless and vulnerable, are already suffering. We need all the help we can get, to stop this global nightmare.

Rather than staying sad and angry, though, this summer I am going to kayak from Cambridge where I live to the sea, to raise funds for local and global charities who are trying to protect children's rights and nature from the impacts of climate change. Please sponsor me? :)

All funds raised will go directly to the Voices for Future Generations Children's Initiative, and to local charities working to protect our fenlands and promote education about sustainability solutions.

As a volunteer UN Child Ambassador and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Children's Rights, I have spent years working to help promote sustainability education and the rights of future generations locally and globally. I love nature and animals, and believe it is important to protect and restore habitat for endangered species (including my two Hermann's tortoises), and to advance the global SDGs for kids. To help make this happen, I edit a blog (nicosnaturalworld.org) with hundreds of followers. I also volunteer as co-chair of the Global Youth Council on Science, Law and Sustainability which was founded by young people during the Glasgow Climate Change COP26 and edits an online journal (harmonyyouthvoices.com). As a leader of my primary King's College School Eco-Society, I was also founding co-chair of Cambridge Schools Eco-Council with pupils from many schools in my community. We won the UK Rotary Young Environmentalist Award with my team for our work to protect local fenlands by stopping sources, restoring sinks and mobilising our school and society on climate change. Through speaking out in conferences and events, hosting online Eco-Seminar mini-series about the SDGs, and helping to organise Cambridge’s climate-strikes, I’ve been trying to raise awareness and educate about sustainability locally and globally.

But it's clearly not enough - climate change is getting worse, not better, and we need to do everything we can to support organisations who are helping to make a difference. That's why I'm paddling to the sea this summer, and I hope very much that you could help sponsor my campaign here://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/nico-cordoniergehring

Nico's efforts support our local Wicken Fen wetlands conservation and education efforts (National Trust) and the Cambridge Botanical Gardens locally, as well as the UNESCO Voices of Future Generations Children’s Initiative (with which he’s volunteered for years) and the IUCN International Union for the Conservation of Nature globally.

REGISTER NOW! Online International Roundtable on Education for International Literacy Day, Promoting Literacy for a World in Transition: Building the Foundation for Sustainable and Peaceful Societies

  • Are you interested in learning about the links between education, children's rights, and sustainability to build Sustainable and Peaceful Societies?

  • Are you inspired by the leadership of children and youth to advance the global Sustainable Development Goals, especially quality education (SDG 4)?

  • Would you like to help implement the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, by encouraging Indigenous children’s voices?

Register now for a very special Online International Roundtable to celebrate this year's International Literacy Day. The event, themed 'Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the Foundation for Sustainable and Peaceful Societies,' will place on Saturday, 9 September 2023 | 8:00 PDT | 11:00 EST | 16:00 BST.

The International Roundtable is hosted by the Voices of Future Generations Children's Initiative (VoFG CI), together with the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, The Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL), the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada, and a wider consortium of educational charities that support the children's rights and the global Sustainable Development Goals.

During this celebration, we will also conduct the award ceremony for the Child Author's competition from North America and unveil a captivating VoFG CI book from the Middle East. The event features VoFG CI Child Authors and Ambassadors from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, the Middle East, Oceania and the Pacific Islands. Further, honoured invited chairs and speakers include: Prof. Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger, Senior Director of the CISDL, Ms. Portia Garnons-Williams, Senior Editor of Harmony Online Journal & University of Toronto student, Ms. Skw’akw’as (Sunshine) Dunstan-Moore, Canadian Commission for UNESCO’s Youth Advisory Group Member and keynote remarks from Adv. Wayne Garnons-Williams, Acting CEO, National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada, and Isobel Abulhoul OBE, CEO and Trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation and Member of VoFG CI International Commission.

Book Launch

A new VoFG CI book from the Middle East. 

  • The Beacon by Abrar Ahmed Sirohey (Middle East) on Life Below Water (Goal 14), Life on Land (Goal 15),  Partnerships for the Goals (Goal 17).

Handbook Launch

  • VoFG CI Online Launch of Awareness and Fundraising Handbook by Nico Roman (VoFG CI Child Ambassador for the Sustainable Development Goals).

Award Ceremony

  • Get ready for an exciting as we will unveil the winners of the prestigious Child Author competition from North America.

Signing Celebration

  • Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation (SSHF) & VoFG CI Grant Signing Celebration

About Voices of Future Generations Children’s Initiative (VoFG CI)

 As a partnership with various agencies of the United Nations (UN) and a consortium of international charities that promote education worldwide, VoFG CI strives to foster sustainable development and uphold the rights of children through two key avenues:

  1. Inter-generational learning circles and other engaging events that provide children with opportunities to raise their voices in support of the rights of the child globally and the role of children in sustainable development. These events facilitate mentorship for children by experts and world leaders working in the field of children's rights and sustainable development.

  2. The VoFG CI Books, a collection of imaginative and adventurous stories authored by children aged between 8 and 12, written for other children aged 6 and above, addressing the challenges faced by children in different regions of the world.

To provide you with a deeper understanding of the valuable work carried out by VoFG CI, we invite you to watch the following videos: Voices of Future Generations and Message by Ms. Irina Bokova.

For more information about the VoFG CI go to: https://www.vofg.org/ 

Prof. Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society of Canada

Congratulations to Professor Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger for her election to Fellowship of the Royal Society of Canada – Academy of Social Sciences

Congratulations to Professor Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger for her election to Fellowship of the Royal Society of Canada – Academy of Social Sciences

The election of Professor Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger, Vice-Chair of the VOFG International Commission and Full Professor of Law at the University of Waterloo, to a prestigious senior Fellowship in the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) - Academy of Social Sciences was announced this month. Nominated by their peers and institutions for their outstanding scholarly, scientific and artistic achievement, Fellowship in an Academy of the Royal Society is one of the highest academic honours that a Canadian can be awarded in the Arts, Social Sciences, and Sciences.

Professor Cordonier Segger’s election laudation credits her work as a pioneering professor and renowned jurist in sustainable development law and governance, advancing innovative responses to climate change, biodiversity protection, natural resources management, indigenous rights, intergenerational justice, and other global sustainability challenges while interactionally informing treaty design, implementation, compliance and dispute settlement. 

 

As Vice-Chair of the VOFG International Commission and award-winning founder or chair of several world-spanning institutions, associations, and councils, she leads an inspiring portfolio of global research, engagement, and dialogue initiatives. Her ground-breaking scholarly publications include the textbook Sustainable Development Law (Oxford University Press); Athena’s Treaties (Oxford University Press); Sustainable Development in World Investment Law (Wolters Kluwer); Sustainable Development in International Courts and Tribunals (Routledge) and the influential Treaty Implementation for Sustainable Development series (Cambridge University Press). With courage and commitment, she serves on the International Law Association, the World Future Council and the IUCN World Commission of Environmental Law, on the boards of leading companies, foundations and law journals, and on the juries of several academic councils and scholarships. She is also laureate of the HE Judge CG Weeramantry International Justice Award, the Justitia Regnorum Fundamentum Prize and other international awards.

The Royal Society of Canada is delighted to welcome this outstanding cohort of artists, scholars, and scientists. These individuals are recognized for their exceptional contributions to their respective disciplines and are a real credit to Canada.
— RSC President Jeremy McNeil
This is an incredible honour to be recognized and welcomed into this community of leading scholars. I am deeply grateful to my brilliant colleagues, globally, for our decades of inspiring research, innovation, knowledge and awareness-raising collaborations that have advanced our field so profoundly, as well as to my family for their encouragement and support.
—  Prof. Cordonier Segger

Founded in 1882, the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), also known as the Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada is the senior national, bilingual council of distinguished Canadian scholars, humanists, scientists and artists. The primary objective of the RSC is to promote learning and research in the arts, the humanities and the sciences. The RSC is Canada's National Academy and exists to promote Canadian research and scholarly accomplishment in both official languages, to recognize academic and artistic excellence, and to advise governments, non-governmental organizations and Canadians on matters of public interest. Fellows are elected by their peers for their outstanding scholarly, scientific and artistic achievement.

Recognition by the RSC for career achievement is the highest honour an individual can achieve in the Arts, Social Sciences and Sciences in Canada. The RSC promotes a culture of knowledge and innovation in Canada and with other national academies around the world, and the fellowship represents a stunning landscape of talent, imagination, discipline, and discovery.

REGISTER NOW! Online International Roundtable on Education, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the World’s SDGs

Are you interested in learning about the links between education, children's rights, and sustainability on the UN's International Literacy Day?

Are you inspired by the leadership of children and youth to advance the global Sustainable Development Goals, especially quality education (SDG 4)?

Would you like to help implement the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child by encouraging children's voices?

Register now for a very special Online International Roundtable on Education, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the World’s SDGs, which takes place on Thursday 8 September 2022 at 9:00 am EST | 2:00 pm BST in celebration of International Literacy Day.

The International Roundtable on Education, hosted jointly by the Voices of Future Generations Children's Initiative, in partnership with the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL), and experts from the University of Cambridge and McGill University, among others, convenes teachers, child and youth leaders, mentors and experts on intergenerational equity, children's rights and sustainable development for an interactive dialogue to raise awareness and speak up for education, children's rights and the global Sustainable Development Goals.



Objectives of the 2022 Online International Roundtable

The 2022 Online International Roundtable aims to spread awareness, empowerment and implementation of the SDG4 Education and the UN CRC by: 

  • engaging children, civil society leaders and expert adults in dialogue to strengthen understanding of sustainable development and children’s rights.

  • Facilitating a common vision, action plan and action plan for children to help implement SDG4 and the UN CRC. 

  • Sharing inspiring children’s stories, written by Child Authors from around the world, with other children, teachers, leaders and civil society.

  • Raising awareness and promoting engagement by all stakeholders in support of the implementation of the SDG4 by children and strengthening awareness of the UN CRC.

Hosts of the Roundtable

The International Roundtable is hosted by the Voices of Future Generations Children's Initiative, together with the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL), the University of Cambridge, and a wider consortium of educational charities that support the CRC and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The event features VoFG CI Child Authors and Child Ambassadors from around the world.

Book Launch 

This special online event celebrates the global launch of beautifully illustrated VoFG CI books by prize-winning Child Authors.

To know more about VoFG CI take watch the following videos: https://youtu.be/63FWUoszLUs and https://youtu.be/i9XrvepitFI

Save the date and register, more details about VoFG CI’s new books and the Child Authors to follow soon!