The young people who took part in the Forum entitled Let's Talk Young, Let's Talk About Climate Justice, held in Bilbao, Spain, from 28 to 30 June, tackled a very topical issue, climate justice.
The Forum - the central event of the Enya project (European network of young advisors), supported by the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (Enoc) - was also attended by the Italian Ombudsperson for Children and together with two representatives of the Authority's Council of Girls and Boys, a consultation and participation body formed by a group of young people aged between 13 and 17, which has been examining the issue in depth over the past few months with a series of activities.
Through the exchange of ideas, debate and discussion with experts, the Council formulated five recommendations on the general topic and two on the subtopic of sustainable mobility, which the two representatives present in Bilbao shared with their peers at the event at the end of June. "The proposals of each state – explains the website of the Ombudsperson for Children – were then merged into a set of common recommendations that were voted on by the children. Those with a majority will be presented to the European Ombudspersons next September, during the Enoc Annual Conference and General Assembly, and will contribute to the formation of the final position statement".
The Enya project's objective is to enable children and young people - as rights-holders and experts in the environment in which they grow up - to participate in Enoc activities in order to share their experiences, express their views, make suggestions and participate in the drafting of recommendations on issues that concern them and, in particular, on how to tangibly ensure the protection and promotion of their rights.
Photos of the Bilbao Forum are available on the Ombudsperson's website in the dedicated news item.
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