RC Trebucq’s Remarks on the occasion of World Children’s Day 2023

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

• Minister of Environment, National Beautification and the Blue and Green Economy, Hon. Adrian Forde
• Minister of People’s Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Hon. Kirk Humphrey 
• Director of the Child Care Board, Rose Ann Richards
• UNICEF Representative for the Eastern Caribbean Area, Pieter Bult
• Other UN colleagues
• Media
• [And of course] children

It’s so wonderful to see all of you committed and hopeful young people out with us to mark World Children’s Day, a day when you really do take over and let us know what you want, how you’re thinking and what you’re feeling.

And believe me, as the United Nations family – as your family – we are here to take note. We are listening. Congrats to UNICEF for making this possible.



We want to celebrate, to recognize your power and the joy you bring to the world. But we also know that when you think about your future, you see both hope and dark clouds. One of those clouds is climate change, which affects everything in your lives – your health, education, safety, shelter, and even your right to be free from poverty and violence.

Protecting children's rights is a big part of what we do at the UN, and it guides our plans, policies, programs, and actions.

We don't always talk about it loudly enough, but we're committed to making sure your rights are always at the forefront. Just a few months ago, the UN took a big step towards protecting your right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.

In August this year, to address the deepening climate crisis, for the first time ever, the Committee on the Rights of the Child said that every child has this right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

This means that all UN Member States, all countries have a duty to protect your environment, just like they have a duty to protect your other rights, such as your right to access education.

Countries around the world recognise how important this is through something called the new “General Comment”, and acknowledge the need to amplify the voices of young people with a view to make a difference and to achieve results.

I also want you to know that on this day, our commitment to putting child rights at the heart of what we do, and this is championed at the highest level. In July 2023, the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, made a special plan called the Guidance Note on Child Rights Mainstreaming. This plan was created by UNICEF and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, with input from other UN bodies.

The plan recommends ways to make sure that the UN always thinks about children’s rights when we do our work.

It says that children’s rights belong to everyone, and that all adults have a responsibility to protect them.

It also says that children should always be asked for their opinion when decisions are being made that affect them, and that UN action should promote and include meaningful child participation.

We know that it's very beneficial to society when we listen to your voices and ideas. That's why we've been working hard to make sure you have a say in everything we do. For example, we have created a Youth Advisory Group with youth from each island we cover; where we involve them in our work and activities, and we consult them about what we do.



And so today, you have the ear of the UN, the country, the media, and the government with two ministers who came just for you! I know you will be presenting a Declaration encompassing your rights and wants and needs to ministers this morning. I want to congratulate you for that and look forward to listening to your Declaration. 

I commit the UN Family and primarily UNICEF to working with you to make sure your dreams come true.

Thank you, and happy World Children's Day!