CoP-8, THROUGH THE EYES OF YOUNGSTERS

The Eighth Conference of Parties (CoP-8) to the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC), being held in New Delhi between October 23 and November 1, 2002, will in many ways determine the future of global economic and environmental governance.

On Friday, October 25, the third day of these crucial negotiations, about 400 children from across the country and from different economic backgrounds will collect to voice their concerns on equal rights to the atmosphere, on behalf of children across the world, and to caution the Indian government, and negotiators, to be aware of their responsibilities to future generations and urge them towards a greener and more equitable world. In the end, it will be the children who will have to live with the rules made today.

This being a crucial international event, the demonstration of children to demand a new beginning in climate change negotiations based on equity and fairness is likely to make a strong visual statement.

Programme for CSE events on 25 October

• Morning: Just before the negotiators sit down at Vigyan Bhawan on the third day of CoP-8, a team of children will stage a pantomime protest on the theme of equal entitlements to the atmosphere on the inside lawns of Vigyan Bhawan between 9:30 am and 11 am.

• Afternoon: Protest march by children and youth from Jantar Mantar to Parliament Street Police Station from 11.30 am to 1. 00 pm.

• Evening: The young protestors will then assemble for a Climate Carnival, which will include puppet and magic shows, at the amphitheatre of the India Habitat Centre, Lodi Road, New Delhi, between 5 pm and 7 pm, to spread the message of global green governance. Everybody is invited to be part of the fun and games. A cartoon exhibition will also be on display.