7 December 2021
Agenda Day 1
Daily agendas
7 December | 8 December | 9 December
8–9:00 a.m. EST
(2-3:00 p.m. CET)
Opening Plenary
We know that we are at a critical moment in history, one in which real change is possible. One that, if we seize it, could propel us into the better future that adults have promised children and young people. But moments pass, whether we make the most of them or not. This moment will be no different unless we do something different. In this session, join leading voices – young and old – to kick off the inaugural Global Forum and inspire action.
Speakers:
- Cathy Mantswe, Youth co-host
- Mayson Joacimsbarn Persson, Youth co-host
- Henrietta Fore, Executive Director, UNICEF
- H.E. Dr Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana
- Matilda Ernkrans, Minister for International Development Cooperation, Government of Sweden
- Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General
- Ruby Chikwiri, LSE (MSc) Graduate and UNICEF Volunteer
- Luiza Vilanova, founder and Chief Executive Officer, Gotinhas do Bem and UNICEF Young Leader
- Ursula von der Leyen, President, European Commission
- Salma Eldeeb, President, Key Club International
- Leena Nair, Chief HR Officer, UNILEVER
- Yukari Suzuki, Chief Brand Officer,Clé de Peau Beauté, Shiseido Company, Limited
- Dr. Mansur Muhtar, H.E. VP of Country Programs, Islamic Development Bank
- Daqian Zhang, Global Youth Advisory Board member
- Bill McKibben, Ecumenist, Sunday School Superintendent and Founder of 350.org and ThirdAct.org, Methodist Church
9–9:45 a.m. EST
(3–3:45 p.m. CET)
Post-COP26: How climate adaptation action can help the most at risk
The climate crisis is a child rights crisis, with approximately 1 billion children already living in extremely high-risk countries. This session will focus on adaptation solutions designed to protect the most vulnerable children and young people. You will hear from activists, policymakers and businesses – including entrepreneurs from the global south – on solutions they have devised, tested and financed to keep children and communities safe.
Speakers:
- Sophie Lee, Climate Activist
- Nidhi Pant, S4S Technologies, Founder
- Waliullah Bhuiyan, Light of Hope, Founder & CEO
- Leif Johansson, Non-Executive Chairman of the Board, AstraZeneca PLC
- Malin Pettersson-Beckeman, Global Head Sustainability Engagement & Communications, Inter-IKEA group
- Angelique Kidjo, Four-time Grammy Award winner, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
- Remy Rioux, CEO Agence Française de Développement (AFD)
- H.E. Aminath Shauna, Minister for Environment, Climate Change & Technology, Government of Maldives
- Leroy Mwasaru, Greenpact, Founder
- Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, responsible for the Green Deal
9–9:45 a.m. EST
(3–3:45 p.m. CET)
Addressing anti-Black racism helps to create communities for children to thrive
We must address anti-Black racism now. Challenging it sets us on the path to rooting out all racial discrimination. In this session, activists will reflect on how racism impacted them as children and young people and the measures they have used to respond. You will also hear about the work of schools and local authorities to combat anti-Black racism, and how, by doing so, they made their communities more welcoming for all children.
Speakers:
- Panashe Chigumadzi, Journalist, Essayist & Novelist
- Simphiwe Masilo, Intersectional Activist
- Stephen Hume, CEO, Willow Learning Trust
- Andre Lyn, Manager of Programs, Anti-Racism Directorate, Ontario
- Marley Dias, Activist & Writer
- Alan Sueira, Social Educator, Instituto Aliança
- Luis Carlos Silva Miranda, Brazilian activist
- Hina Jilani, International Human Rights Defender & Member of ‘The Elders’
9:30–11:15 a.m. EST
(3:30–5:15 p.m. CET)
2022 Humanitarian Action for Children
Traversing the globe, including live stops in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and North America, this session will present the 2022 Humanitarian Action for Children by UNICEF and partners. You will hear from a high-level panel, global and local partners working in communities, and young representatives as we seek to make a real difference for the millions of children and their families affected by the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
Session moderated by James Elder, UNICEF Spokesperson
Opening segment by
- Henrietta H. Fore, Executive Director, UNICEF
- Inger Ashing, CEO, Save the Children Inernational
- Hiba Lutfi Al-Salem, Midwife, NGO AlBirr, Dara’a, Syria
- Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner for Crisis Management
- Esperance Kazi, Vice President, Urban Council of Youth of Beni, DRC
Presentation by Manuel Fontaine, UNICEF Director Office of Emergency Programmes, including stories from the field: Ethiopia and the Darien gap
Interactive dialogue with Member States and partners
10–10:45 a.m. EST
(4–4:45 p.m. CET)
Now is the time: Youth climate activism
Led by climate youth activists from YOUNGO, this session brings together voices from around the world to reflect on youth participation at COP26, the importance of climate education in school and the need to equip children and young people to address the climate justice issues that affect them. YOUNGO members will present their top activism tips and be joined by governments, civil society organizations and donors that will speak to the power of youth advocacy.
Speakers:
- Saher Baig, YOUNGO, Climate Activist
- Bas Tuenter, YOUNGO, Climate Activist
- Esha Singhai, National Honors Society
- Kato Nabimaya Mark, Youth Ambassador, Uganda National Association of Deaf Blind
- Lale Bayriyeva, SDG Ambassador
- Zainab Yunusa, PLAN International, Youth, Movements & Campaigns Coordinator
- Jaime Perczyk, Minister of Education, Government of Argentina
- Francisca Solari, Executive President, Meri Foundation
10–10:45 a.m. EST
(4–4:45 p.m. CET)
Talent on the move: Engage, empower, equip!
Introducing inspiring young activists and entrepreneurs, this session calls on world leaders to invest meaningfully in the potential of youth on the move. We will hear from young people about the challenges they have faced and their aspiration to learn and earn, as well as from national policymakers, city mayors and organizations about how we can unleash the unique, yet largely untapped pool of talent that youth on the move have to offer.
Speakers:
- Riza Franchesca Regala, Youth Activist
- Great Udochi, Youth Activist
- Verena Knaus, YOMA, Representative
- Ricardo Rio, Mayor of the City of Braga, Portugal
- Dr. Elke Löbel, Commissioner for Refugee Policy, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
- Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
- Sara Mora, Immigrant Rights Activist
- Marina Brizar, Talent Beyond Boundaries, UK Director
- Rayyan Jad, UK National Health Service, Nurse
- Stefan Germann, CEO, Fondation Botnar
- Tijmen Rooseboom, Dutch Ambassador
11–11:30 a.m. EST
(5–5:30 p.m. CET)
Youth TED Talks
Makhtoum Abdalla: A passionate student in a refugee camp inspires education rights for all
Makhtoum Abdalla lives in a refugee camp for internally displaced people in South Darfur in the western part of Sudan. But even the lack of electricity can’t stop Abdalla from his passion for learning. Already he’s taught himself three languages and is working on a fourth. In this inspiring talk, Abdalla shares why education is an essential right for all children and young people everywhere.
Nkosi Nyathi: Youth most affected by climate change must lead the response
Nkosi Nyathi has been a climate justice advocate since the age of 10, when he started experiencing the impacts of climate change that disproportionately affect young people like him in Zimbabwe and around the world. In this timely talk, Nyathi explains why young people should be most engaged — and listened to — in the fight to save our planet.
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. EST
(5:30–6:15 p.m. CET)
Community Session* - In powerful alliance with diaspora communities
Organized by: Indiaspora and UNICEF
Insights on achievements and potential of diaspora communities, highlighting youth voices and impact on development efforts ‘back home’.
Speakers:
- Nishant Pandey, Chief Executive Officer, American India Foundation
- Kornisha Brown, National President, Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
- Gracia Goya, Vice President, Latin America, Hispanics in Philanthropy
- Shathanah Gnanakumara, Deputy Director Mission Council, Tamil Diaspora Alliance
- Puja Mehta, Senior Philanthropy Manager, Indiaspora
- Anjali Kochar, Director, Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation of America
- Anupama Gotimukula, President, American Assoc. of Physicians of Indian Origin
- Omar Fehmi, Co-President National Arab American Medical Assoc., Next Gen
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. EST
(5:30–6:15 p.m. CET)
Community Session* - Showcasing YOMA
Organized by: YOMA (Youth Agency Market Place)
Introducing YOMA, an innovative solution empowering youth on their journey from learning to earning to drive transformative climate action.
Speakers:
- Taha Bawa, Co-founder and CEO of Goodwall
- Johannes Wedenig, Convener and Project Lead, YOMA/UNICEF
- Carmona Pola, Yoma user
- Elizabeth Djuulume, Yoma user
- Kristina Zittel, Green YOMA team, YOMA/UNICEF
- Lohan Spies, YOMA Technical Lead
- Nadi Albino, UNICEF Generation Unlimited
- Stefan Germann, CEO Fondation Botnar
- Sam Godfrey, regional Water and Sanitation Advisor, UNICEF ESARO
- Emine Ertugrul, Engagement Specialist Wyss Academy for Nature
- Björn Richter, Head of Sector Programme for Digital Development, GIZ
- Kadi Metsandi, Dir. of Development Cooperation & Humanitarian Aid, Estonia
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. EST
(5:30–6:15 p.m. CET)
Community Session* - Driving gender norm change to end child marriage
Organized by: Plan International, Girls Not Brides and CARE USA
Featuring diverse perspectives on the importance of gender norm change to end child marriage through dialogue, youth voice and performance.
Speakers:
- Sonita Alizadeh, Rapper, Afghanistan
- Isabel Cordero, SENDAS
- Paul Kone, Pastor and leader of the Protestant Mission “Pioneers”, Mali
- Moussa Adamou, Comms. & Advocacy Director on Rights of Children, Niger
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. EST
(5:30–6:15 p.m. CET)
Community Session* - Child protection in climate-related disasters: A perspective
Organized by: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
Featuring an inter-generational dialogue and recommendations by children and youth to improve child protection in climate-related disasters
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. EST
(5:30–6:15 p.m. CET)
Community Session* - Impacts of conflict and COVID-19 on violence against children
Organized by: World Vision
Connecting the dots: Unmasking the links between the impacts of conflict and COVID on violence against children and their mental health.
Speakers:
- Amanda Rives,Senior Director External Engagement & Resource Acquisition, World Vision
- Phiona Koyiet, Senior Technical Advisor, MHPSS – World Vision
- Ann Willhoite, MHPSS Specialist/Lead in the Child Protection team at UNICEF
- Sabine Rakotomalala, Social Determinants of Health, WHO
- Fancy - Young activist from South Sudan (15 yrs. old refugee)
* Community sessions are run in parallel by partners and UNICEF to dive into thematic areas, bringing together experts from government, the United Nations, international financial institutions, the private sector and civil society, as well as children and youth.
Daily agendas
7 December | 8 December | 9 December