children's book

VoFG Youth Leaders Speak and launch Harmony Journal on BLGD during CBD COP16

Youth speaking at the Leadership Roundtable: Youth Voices in Biodiversity Governance on Biodiversity Law and Governance Day (October 26, 2024) during CBD COP 16

In a powerful demonstration of youth leadership, the "Leadership Roundtable: Youth Voices in Biodiversity Governance" took place online as part of Biodiversity Law and Governance Day during COP 16. Hosted by the Voices of the Future Generations Children’s Initiative (VOFG CI), the Global Youth Council on Science, Law & Sustainability (GYC), and the Youth Negotiators Academy (YNA), the session brought together young advocates from around the globe to discuss the integral role of youth in biodiversity governance.

The roundtable addressed critical questions: How can youth-led initiatives advance biodiversity in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child? What is the role of youth in biodiversity conservation within existing legal frameworks? And how can young leaders be empowered in global biodiversity governance and policymaking?


Voices of Change

The event showcased the advocacy, creativity, and leadership of young people, who are actively engaging in dialogues about the health and preservation of ecosystems. The session featured three interconnected presentations that highlighted youth contributions to sustainability, human rights, and environmental protection.

In the first segment, child authors Rehema Kibugi (Kenya), Ryan Hill (Canada), and Saira Thomas (UAE) shared insights from their published children’s books, showing how children and yough can voice their concerns and aspirations regarding biodiversity preservation in their respective countries through the creative art of storytelling. Their narratives serve not only as a reflection of their experiences but also as a call to action for peers and policymakers alike.

Rehema Kibugi (top left), Ryan Hill (top right), and Saira Thomas (bottom middle).

Empowering Youth Movements

The second part of the session spotlighted the Global Youth Council on Science, Law & Sustainability (GYC). Youth speakers Nico Roman (UK, Canada, and Germany), Wezi Chilubanama (Zambia), and Thomas Langford (UK) emphasized the importance of youth-led initiatives for advocacy and action. They highlighted the GYC's mission to empower young voices and share their insights on pressing environmental issues.

Nico Roman (top left), Thomas Langford (top right), and Wezi Chilubanama (bottom middle) explain the work of the GYC.

During the event, the GYC also launched the second issue of the Harmony Journal, an online publication featuring articles and artwork from youth around the world focused on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 14 (Life Below Water) and 15 (Life on Land). The launch was led by editorial team members Varnessa Varlyngton (Nigeria) and Carlos Caballero (Bolivia), with contributions from Harry Langford (UK) and Freya Tikva (Austria), who discussed their work featured in the journal.

Carlos Andres Caballero (Harmony Journal editorial team) helps launch the Journal’s second issue.

Youth Negotiators in Action

The final segment of the roundtable showcased the advocacy efforts of youth negotiators from the YNA. Delegates, including Sigurd Seindal Krabbe and Lise Coermann Nygaard from Denmark, and Alicia Maldonado, a former youth negotiator, presented their initiatives aimed at influencing biodiversity policy. Their collective work underscores the importance of including youth perspectives in global decision-making processes.

Ms Marie-Claire Graf from the Youth Negotiators Academy.

Chaired by Elianys (Ela) Martinez from CISDL and VOFG CI, alongside Marie-Claire Graf from the Youth Negotiators Academy, the session exemplified a commitment to uplifting youth voices in biodiversity governance. Participants emphasized the need for platforms that enable young people to engage actively in shaping policies that affect their futures.

A Call for Inclusion

The "Leadership Roundtable: Youth Voices in Biodiversity Governance" not only celebrated the contributions of young leaders but also served as a clarion call for greater inclusion of youth in discussions and decision-making processes regarding the environment. As these young advocates continue to inspire action and dialogue, the future of biodiversity governance looks increasingly promising, with fresh perspectives and innovative solutions at the forefront.

As COP 16 progresses, the momentum generated by this session highlights the critical role that youth will play in ensuring a sustainable and equitable future for all.

Watch the Full Recording of the Session

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.