IMPACT OF FINANCIAL CRISIS AND CLIMATE CHANGE ON CHILDREN

Nuoro, Sardinia, Italy 25-26 June 2009 / In anticipation of the G8 Summit to be hosted by Italy in July, Ombuds for Children from all G8 countries are meeting in Nuoro, Sardinia, Italy on 25-26 June for the O8 Summit. The event aims to promote the best interests of the child and investment in childhood as priority themes for discussion at the G8.

The O8 Summit is organized by the Province of Nuoro, which is committed to promote the role of the Ombuds for children on behalf of the Association of the Provinces of the Mediterranean area and which has recently established an Ombuds for Children. The UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, as host of the Secretariat of the Global Network of Ombuds for Children, serves as a resource and partner in the event.

The Summit will bring together Ombuds for Children or similar independent human rights institutions from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The Ombuds for Children will discuss the consequences of two key crises facing children today – the global financial crisis and climate change – and examine the role that they can play to promote sound policies to help mitigate these impacts. Research has shown that climate change affects children's health, nutrition and livelihoods. The economic crisis results in increased school drop-outs, domestic violence, and growing disparities. While the economic cycle will eventually turn positive again, impacts on children will nevertheless be long lasting.

At the 08 Summit, the Ombuds for Children will underline the importance of child participation in policy-making. They will also assess needs for development cooperation and develop recommendations to G8 leaders.

It is a pioneering event aimed to influence global policies from a child rights lens, to monitor implementation of commitments for children, and to remind leaders that children are the future as well as the present of our nations.

The event will support the efforts of the Junior-8 or J8, an initiative promoted by UNICEF to be held from 4 to 12 July in Rome and L’Aquila, gathering adolescent representatives from the G8 countries and from 6 not-G8 countries who will present their views and recommendations to G8 leaders.

Together with the J8, the O8 Summit aims to create a successful synergy to draw leaders’ attention to children’s rights issues and to tackle critical aspects requiring wide alliances that include government leaders, the private sector, media, and civil society.

On 26th June at 12:45, Ombuds representatives will present their recommendations that will be transmitted to the leaders of G8. A press conference follows the closing of the O8 Summit