Unicef Hong Kong pledges to make the city ‘child-friendly’ to protect youth from climate change and mental health woes

As youth worldwide grapple with mental health issues and face the impacts of climate change, Unicef Hong Kong has pledged to make the city “child-friendly” by prioritising the well-being of young people.

According to the UN agency, more than 1.74 billion children live in areas affected by heatwaves and water shortages, which are effects of global warming. Additionally, one in seven young people between the ages of 10 and 19 worldwide has been diagnosed with a mental disorder.

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Judy Chen, chairwoman of the Hong Kong Committee for Unicef, called youth mental health issues a “very critical” topic.

“The age of those committing suicide is getting younger, and the numbers are surging. This is a distressing and concerning issue that cannot be neglected,” she said.

“This is not just a matter for parents or children; it requires society to collaborate, including the education sector, government, and communities. We should utilise various approaches to teach children how to manage and alleviate stress.”

Chen urged authorities and the government to work together to accomplish her long-term goal: for Hong Kong to become recognised by the UN as a child-friendly city.

The Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) is a network that supports municipal governments in realising children’s rights at the local level based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

A child-friendly city ensures that children’s voices, needs, and rights are incorporated into laws, policies, regulations, programmes, and budgets.

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Since 1996, over 3,000 cities from 40 countries have joined the initiative, benefiting more than 30 million children. Examples include Seoul in South Korea, Nara in Japan, and Da Nang in Vietnam.

China’s 14th Five-Year Plan includes a commitment to implementing the initiative in over 100 cities. Currently, there are 54 child-friendly cities in mainland China, including Shenzhen and Shanghai.

This year, Unicef Hong Kong is launching its “7,000 Days of Life Campaign”, an initiative to address the challenges faced by children and teenagers before they reach adulthood, focusing on emotional health and climate change.

To kick-start the campaign, Unicef Hong Kong is hosting an event on January 27 at Noah’s Ark Theme Park in Ma Wan to raise awareness about the climate crisis, its impact on youth around the world and how participants can unite to mitigate the crisis.

The event, “Discover, for every child 2024 – Play for a Liveable Planet”, will have 20 game booths offering a series of activities, including science missions, organic farm tours, handicraft workshops, augmented reality experiences, and more.

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“Climate change has become a crisis, threatening the rights and well-being of children worldwide and jeopardising [their] future,” said Chen, who has been involved in environmental advocacy for about 20 years.

Chen further emphasised that while environmental education in Hong Kong has improved, it is still “not enough”, and she hopes to fill in the gaps and enhance environmental education through the UN agency’s efforts.

Speaking about the recent UN Climate Change Conference, also known as Cop28, the chairwoman called for more youth representation in future summits, saying it is essential to give young people a voice on global issues.

“It is worth mentioning that Cop28 heard testimonies from 25 children representing 12 countries. They discussed how the climate emergency impacts their lives and called for effective actions from authorities,” she said.

“In fact, the participation of children is an essential component of advocating for children’s rights.”

“I feel that these numbers are too few considering that there are more than 190 countries and regions in the world … I believe that having 100 countries and 200 children giving testimonials next year would amplify the call and the appeal with greater strength,” she explained.

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“However, achieving this will take time. When you have a large number of people and diverse representation from around the world advocating for this cause, people will truly recognise the urgency and critical nature of the situation.”

She praised young people for their efforts in driving change: “When you look at the child standing on the stage, talking about advocacy, you will feel so ashamed; they are the future, the ones who will shape the next 20 years.”

“You get a sense of responsibility when they beg the question: Are we doing enough for our future?”