VoFG Story-time at the Festival of Nature | Sunday, June 12, 11am-12pm BST 2022

Join the Voices of Future Generations Children and experience the UK’s largest celebration of the natural world this year from Sunday, June 12 from 11am - 12pm BST. 🦋 🦊 ✨

Connect with and take action for nature this summer by coming along to one of the 90+ events in this year’s Festival of Nature!

There's something for everyone in the packed programme, including 16 online events to join in with from home! 🌍 💚

Places are filling up fast... book your spot on your favourite activities now to avoid disappointment! www.festivalofnature.org.uk @festofnature 🌱 🌙 🐾

We’re very excited to be part of this year’s festival - join storytime hosted by the Voices of Future Generations. Child authors from across the world will take you on a magical journey through their stories addressing children's rights and sustainable development.

Tune in to listen to their hopes, dreams and vision for a sustainable world. join us here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ediqKUiAIJM on Sunday, June 12 from 11am - 12pm BST.

Are you interested in enrolling your child or children in a Young Writers' Program?

Lune Spark has a Young Writers' Program that provides an artistic platform for youth to strengthen their writing skills and to tell their stories. They also create educational video content for children and have published a number of award-winning educational books for children of all ages.

Some ways to get involved with Lune Spark:

Our own UN Child Ambassadors for the SDGs Nico Roman, has participated, won competitions and publish stories in three Lune Spark books’

 

Lune Spark books

 

A Few Drops of Hope

Award-Winning Short Stories by Tweens

Magical music comes to the aid of a young blind immigrant when bringing her adopted city back to life after a global pandemic. A heartbroken mother tells the beginning and the end of the life of her little girl. A boy searches for his best friend when she goes missing. These are just some of the unputdownable stories in A Few Drops of Hope. This anthology includes the top twenty-five stories from the Fifth Annual Lune Spark Young Writers’ Short Story Contest. In these winning stories, the young writers (ages 10 to 13) have delivered a wide range of plots that are sure to engage readers of all ages.

Through Their Lenses

Award-Winning Short Stories by Tweens

"Yet another gem of a book." ~Tim Ellen, Blogger
Through Their Lenses is a collection of twenty-nine award-winning short stories by tweens. These stories encompass a wide range of genres, inviting readers to explore a wealth of important themes passionately crafted by these young writers: from a girl going on a quest to release a curse bestowed on her by a witch to a guy trying to escape after being stranded in a different time.

Just One More

Stories You Can't Put Down

"These stories are a must-read." ~Jessica Turner, Blogger
Just One More is a collection of twenty-nine award-winning short stories by middle grade children. These stories encompass a wide range of genres, inviting readers to explore a wealth of important themes passionately crafted by these young writers—from a beautiful dragon called Ephyral giving up her freedom to save her entire species to a fifteen-year-old girl named Louisa Brixham dealing with her brother being accused of a crime she committed.

To see other Lune Spark books click here.

INTERNATIONAL ONLINE JOURNAL FOR AND BY YOUTH

Harmony was launched in the UN’s COP26 climate change events in Glasgow on November 6, 2021. This online journal was built on special links that the youth created during the global pandemic lockdowns. They hosted a series of short online tutorials with professors and heads of institutes from world-class universities to inspire young people that were left stranded by COVID-19 school closures.

Harmony was launched in the UN’s COP26 climate change events in Glasgow on November 6, 2021

Go to Harmony Online Journal here:

You may also see some familiar faces among the editors and journalists as they are VoFG CI Child Authors, UN Child Ambassadors for the SDGs, and Alumni.

Anisa Daniel-Oniko – Journalist

Jona Cordonier Gehring – Senior Editor

Rehema Kibugi – Junior Editor

REGISTER NOW: Online International Roundtable on Indigenous Children’s Voices & Rights for Sustainability

Are you interested in learning about the links between education, Indigenous rights and sustainability?

Are you inspired by the leadership of children and youth to advance the global Sustainable Development Goals?

Would you like to help implement the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, by encouraging Indigenous children’s voices?

This note invites you to register now for a very special online International Roundtable on Indigenous Children's Voices & Rights, which takes place on Monday, 9 August 2021, at 11:00 am EST / 4:00 pm BST in celebration of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples.

This International Roundtable on Indigenous Children’s Voices & Rights for Sustainability engages child and youth leaders from different nations, and also specialists and experts working to promote Indigenous Peoples' rights and the rights of the child, in an interactive dialogue to strengthen and promote Indigenous Children’s Rights and the global Sustainable Development Goals.

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This special online roundtable occasion highlights and celebrates the global launch of a beautifully illustrated new book, published by the Voices of Future Generations Children's Initiative, called Finding the Language, by Adelyn Sophie Newman-Ting, the first Voices of Future Generations Indigenous Child Author. Finding the Language is a creative and captivating story about reclaiming language through the land and its creatures, highlighting the interconnected cycle of life and culture. The event also features Indigenous Child Ambassadors Bella Morrisseau and Sydnee Wynter. Honoured chairs and speakers also include Adv. Wayne Garnons-Williams (National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada Chair), Prof. Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger (University of Cambridge Leverhulme Professor, CISDL Senior Director & VoFG CRI Executive Secretary), Ms Monique Gray-Smith (Writer & Children's Literature Award Laureate), and Prof Carey Newman Hayalthkin'geme (University of Victoria Professor & Impact Chair, Master Carver), as well as Adv. Neshan Gunasekera (Lead Counsel for Peace, Justice and Governance, CISDL), Ms Portia Garnons-Williams (Indigenous Student Leader), Ms Elaina Cox (First Nations Treaties for SDGs Project, University of Waterloo), and Dr. Roda Muse, Secretary-General of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO has confirmed to give a special address on their world-leading educational work and support for Indigenous cultures and peoples.

Program Outline:

International Roundtable on Indigenous Children’s Voices & Rights

Implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child by encouraging Indigenous Children’s Voices

Monday 09 August 2021 | 11:00 - 12:50 EST | 16:00 – 17:50 BST

Venue:  Zoom Online Platform (due to COVID-19 travel restrictions)

11:00 – 11:10 Welcome and Opening 

Moderators: Ms Hyfa Azeez & Dr Odeeth Lara-Morales (Legal & Senior Officer, Voices of Future Generations Children's Initiative)

Chairs: Prof. Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger (University of Cambridge / University of Waterloo / CISDL, UK & Canada) & Adv. Neshan Gunasekera (Lead Counsel for Peace, Justice and Governance, CISDL)

Opening prayer: Elder Sherry Copenace

11:10 – 11:20 Book Launch of Finding the Language, by Adelyn Sophie Newman-Ting, the first Voices of Future Generations Indigenous Child Author

* Including a special reading of a chapter from Finding the Language by the author, Adelyn Sophie Newman-Ting

* Finding the Language is a creative and captivating story about reclaiming language through the land and its creatures, highlighting the interconnected cycle of life and culture. 

11:20 – 11:30 Speeches by the two Voices of Future Generations, Indigenous Child Ambassadors and Student Leaders

Bella Morrisseau/Whiskeyjack (UNESCO VoFG Indigenous Child Ambassador), Sydnee Wynter (UNESCO VoFG Indigenous Child Ambassador)

11:30 – 11:40 Ceremonial Children's Book Launch & Congratulatory Message

Ms Monique Gray-Smith (Writer & Children’s Literature Award Laureate, Little Drum Consulting)

Thanks to Speakers: Ms Portia Garnons-Williams (Indigenous Student Thought Leader - Ottawa Carleton Virtual Secondary School)

11:40 – 11:50 The Legacy of Indigenous Children in Residential Schools  

Adv. Wayne Garnons-Williams (National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada Chair)

11:50 – 12:30 Indigenous Rights and Sustainability: Intergenerational Roundtable on Advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 

Ms Elaina Cox (Senior Researcher, First Nations Treaties for SDGs Project, University of Waterloo), Ms Shaelyn Wabegijig (Program and Outreach Coordinator, Kawartha World Issues Centre, KWIC), Dr Edward van Daalen(Postdoctoral Fellow, Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism, McGill University), Ms Portia Garnons-Williams (Indigenous Student Thought Leader - Ottawa Carleton Virtual Secondary School), Master Nico Roman (Chair, Cambridge Schools Eco-Council & Child Ambassador,  VoFG Children's Initiative). 

12:30 – 12:40 Keynote Speech by UNESCO Canada Secretary-General

Dr. Roda Muse, Secretary-General of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO

12:40 – 12:50 Special Closing Remarks with Thanks to Distinguished Speakers & Partners

Closing Remarks: Prof Carey Newman Hayalthkin’geme (Audain Professor of Contemporary Art Practices of the Pacific Northwest, University of Victoria) 

Closing prayer: Elder Sherry Copenace

Moderators: Ms Hyfa Azeez & Dr Odeeth Lara-Morales (Legal & Senior Officer, Voices of Future Generations Children's Initiative)

Zoom Operations Director: Adv Freedom-Kai Phillips (Director of Operations, CISDL)

Zoom Editorial Director: Dr Antoinette Nestor (Associate Fellow, CISDL)

With warmest thanks to the partners and collaborators:

Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL)

First Nations Treaties & SDGs Project, School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED), University of Waterloo

National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada 

Audain Professorship of Contemporary Art Practices of the Pacific Northwest, University of Victoria

Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism (CHRLP), McGill University

Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI)

Kawartha World Issues Centre (KWIC)

And a special thanks to our friends and mentors from:

Canadian Commission for UNESCO 

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Save the dates 19 & 26 July 2021: Eco-seminars & Book Launch

Free online Eco-Seminars organised by The Voices of Future Generations (VoFG) Initiative and the Cambridge Schools Eco-Council.

The Voices of Future Generations (VoFG) Initiative and the Cambridge Schools Eco-Council are organising two free 60 minutes Online Eco-Seminars to raise awareness of key sustainability challenges and solutions. Children, students, families, and public members can register for free over Eventbrite and participate online over Zoom. Each Online Eco-Seminar included student and expert speakers. 

The first eco-seminar focuses on Emerging Environmental Technologies: Eco-technology and Clean Energy to Protect the Environment from 9-10 GMT on Monday 19 July 2021. The second eco-seminar focuses on Nature-Based Solutions: Mangroves & Wetlands from 4-5 pm GMT Monday 26 July 2021! 

Both eco-seminars are hosted by the Cambridge Schools Eco-Council and the Voices of Future Generations Children's Rights Initiative.  

Let other people know! Families with children or youth interested in local and global challenges and solutions related to climate change and the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

They might enjoy a fun, short, interactive online eco-seminar with other kids (and adult leaders) as speakers during the holidays!

July 2021 Free Online Eco-Seminar Mini-Series for Students!

Together with the Voices of Future Generations Children's Initiative, the Cambridge Schools Eco-Council has been organising free 60 minute Online Eco-Seminars to raise awareness of key sustainability challenges and solutions. Children, students, families, and public members can register for free over Eventbrite and participate online over Zoom, 9-10 am (UK time) on 19 July and 4-5 pm on 26 July. 

Each Online Eco-Seminar focuses on two key sustainable development goals, such as Clean Energy (SDG9), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG11), Climate Change (SDG13) or Life on Land (SDG15). Each Online Eco-Seminar includes student and expert speakers.

Eco-Seminar 1: Emerging Environmental Technologies: Eco-technology and Clean Energy to Protect the Environment - Monday 19 July 2021 

Focus: How does eco-technology contribute to the SDGs to promote green growth and improve sustainability?

Bonus: Launch of the UNESCO Voices of Future Generations (VoFG) book:

The Secret Green Home by Jasper Chin Moody (Oceania)

Chairs: 

Nico Roman, Cambridge Schools Eco-Council Co-Chair, Voices of Future Generations Child Ambassador, Kings College School Eco-Society Co-leader.

Freya Tikva, Gold Award Laureate, UNESCO Voices of Future Generations (VoFG) Children's Rights Initiative for Europe and Child Author of The Girl Who Changed Everything, Cambridge Schools Eco-Council Deputy Chair and Co-Chair of Eco-Activities Committee.


Speakers:

Sanjiv Fernando, Research Associate, Resolve

Jona David, founding Eco-Councillor of the Cambridge Schools Eco-Council, award-winning UNESCO Voices of Future Generations (VoFG) Children's Rights Initiative Alumni and Child Author of The Cosmic Climate Invention and other books, and

Jasper Chin Moody, Gold Award Laureate, UNESCO Voices of Future Generations (VoFG) Children's Rights Initiative for Oceania and Child Author of Stanley and EPIC.

Eco-Seminar 2: Nature-Based Solutions: Mangroves & Wetlands - Monday 26 July 2021

Focus: What are nature-based solutions to climate change? How can we protect mangroves and wetlands?

Bonus: Launch of the UNESCO Voices of Future Generations (VoFG) books:

The Children Who Saved the Mangroves by Rehema Kibugi (Africa)

Journey for Tomorrow by Andrea Wilson (North America)

Chairs: 

Nico Roman, Cambridge Schools Eco-Council Co-Chair, Voices of Future Generations Child Ambassador, Kings College School Eco-Society Co-leader.

Freya Tikva, Gold Award Laureate, UNESCO Voices of Future Generations (VoFG) Children's Rights Initiative for Europe and Child Author of The Girl Who Changed Everything, Cambridge Schools Eco-Council Deputy Chair and Co-Chair of Eco-Activities Committee.


Speakers:

Darlene Coyle, Policy Project Coordinator, Canadian Youth Biodiversity Network (CYBN), Associate Fellow, Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL).

Thomas Langford, Eco-Councillor in the Cambridge Schools Eco-Council, and winner of the Rotary Young Environmentalist Award for East Anglia.

Rehema Kibugi, Gold Award Laureate, UNESCO Voices of Future Generations (VoFG) Children's Rights Initiative for Africa and Child Author of The Children Who Saved the Mangroves.

Andrea Wilson, Gold Award Laureate, UNESCO Voices of Future Generations (VoFG) Children's Rights Initiative for North America and Child Author of Journey for Tomorrow, blog post author on the Sustainable Development Goals and Child Rights.

Over zoom, after a 15 mins for tech testing and interactions from 8:45 to 9 am on July 19 and 3:45 pm to 4 pm on July 26, student Eco-Councillors and UN Voices of Future Generations Child Authors / Ambassadors, together with world-class experts, will launch 3 new VoFG Books and discuss creative local and solutions. For a further 15 minutes, participants can ask questions and discuss potential solutions and ways to raise education and awareness interactively, followed by a 10-minute closing from the experts and youth speakers.

To join the session on 19 July at 8:45 for 9:00 am (UK time) after registering, use this Zoom Meeting Link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/eco-seminar-july-series-tickets-162037507547.

To join the session on 26 July at 3:45 for 4:00 pm (UK time) after registering, use this Zoom Meeting Link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/eco-seminar-july-series-tickets-162037507547.

For a flavour of other activities of the Cambridge Schools Eco-Council, please see https://www.cambschoolsecocouncil.uk 

To know more about the Voices of Future Generations Initiative, please see https://www.vofg.org/ 

Please note: Students participate with permission under the supervision of parents/guardians from their homes.

*to be confirmed 

Results of the 2019 Indigenous Child Author Competition

With warmest thanks to Ms Monique Gray Smith, Goodwill Ambassador for indigenous child authors, the Voices of Future Generations Children's Initiative congratulates the winners of the 2019 Indigenous Child Author Competition:

Gold and Child Author - Adelyn Sophie Newman-Ting, The Stories of Hope

The Stories of Hope tells the story of children meeting and talking to animals, figuring out how to save the environment and native languages at the same time. The story highlights inter-generational justice, demonstrating how the elders, as repositories of knowledge about environment, culture and language, can assist young people towards sustainability.

Adelyn "Addy" Sophie Newman-Ting lives in Victoria, British Columbia with her mother, a schoolteacher, and her father, a master carver, professor and First Nations artist. She wrote The Stories of Hope at age 9. She is Kwakwaka’wakw and Coast Salish, also English, Irish and Scottish, and Chinese from Taiwan. Her Indigenous name is Kesugilakw meaning leader of people, and her Chinese name is Ting Li-Wen meaning pretty flower cloud. Addy enjoys dancing, brownies, jump roping and singing, and is an avid reader, writer and artist, working on her first book about carving a totem pole for Oaklands Primary, her school.

Silver (tie) and Child Ambassadors for the SDGs - Bella Morrisseau Whiskeyjack, Honor the Treaties and Sydnee Wynter Aime Nisyok, The Important Message

Honor the Treaties tells the story of Treaty 6 in Canada and the impacts it has had on First Nations communities as well as their lands and customs. It explains the ways that children are impacted by the residual impacts of the Treaty and suggests how children and young adults might be involved in addressing these impacts. Bella Morrisseau Whiskeyjack was born in Edmonton, Alberta and is a member of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation. She lost her father at an early age, and is raised along with her brother by a loving Grandfather of the Grand Rapids Cree. Bella loves school and spending time with her family and friends. She has been recognized for her outstanding writing talents through school awards and wishes to be a writer in the future. She also is interested in veterinary sciences and construction.

The Important Message tells the story of a young girl who becomes an inventor to help stop climate change and its effects. The story highlights imagination, teamwork, a supportive family and community for countering climate change and generating innovation. Sydnee Wynter Amie Nisyok is from the Ganada (frog) Clan of the Nisga’a Nation and Haisla Nation in Northern British Columbia. She wrote her book at age 8, while in the 3rd grade. Sydnee loves learning science and being with her best friends. She also has a love of animals, especially her three pets, and is an Earth Ranger, where she enjoys completing environmental saving missions to help save the animals and the planet. Sydnee also loves to play soccer basketball dance swim horse riding and the guitar. One of Sydnee’s dreams is to become a scientist to help the planet.

Anisa Daniel-Oniko will be appointed as an SDG Ambassador

Anisa Daniel-Oniko loves writing, reading and words. In 2017, at age 10, she drafted her first book, Double ‘A’ for Adventure, and she is currently working hard on her next story to be considered for the next African child author selection.

Each of these stories represents the inspiring perspectives of child authors on the unique sustainable development challenges facing their local communities, regions and the world, as voices of future generations in decisions that concern them.

Jona David speaks at YouthStrike4Climate in Cambridge, UK

YouthStrike4Climate brings Climate Activism to the Streets of Cambridge

Jona David, who at 13 has already had four books published and is an award-winning UN child author, spoke at the YouthStrike4Climate.

"I'm Jona David from King's College School here in Cambridge. It's brilliant to see so many other pupils out today! I'm a UN child author, and my 4th book is coming out this spring. 'The Cosmic Climate Invention.' I'm speaking against the risks and terrible impacts of climate change today!

If temperatures rise beyond 1.5 degrees, kids all across the world will be hurt or even die in floods and typhoons. It’s urgent. We must speak truth to power. We must raise our voices for future generations. We must act now, locally and globally, to stop climate change."

Around 400 school and college pupils took part in climate strikes in Cambridge on February 15, 2019 to call for urgent action to protect the environment against rampaging ecological destruction.

They were part of a national YouthStrike4Climate day of protest, which saw thousands of children and teenagers take to the streets in around 60 towns and cities across the UK. The campaigners came from schools and colleges across the region, including Chesterton Community College, Impington Village College, Parkside, Coleridge Community College, King's School, Hills Road Sixth Form College, Witchford Village College and Cambourne Village College.

Check the full story by Cambridge Independent here

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“If temperatures rise beyond 1.5 degrees, kids all across the world will be hurt or even die in floods and typhoons. It’s urgent. We must speak truth to power. We must raise our voices for future generations. We must act now, locally and globally to stop climate change.”
—  Jona David, speaking at the Cambridge schools strike for action against climatechange.

Goodwill Ambassador Announcement

Goodwill Ambassador Announcement

Hissa Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum

It is a great pleasure for the Voices of Future Generations Initiative to announce that Sheikha Hissa Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum has agreed to serve as its Goodwill Ambassador for the Gulf Region. Promoting children's rights and sustainable development, this unique programme empowers children to promote the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as well as Sustainable Development Goals.

 Sharing her love of literature with children from around the region, Sheikha Hissa will support the development of a children’s book series authored by children, for children. These stories from around the world are illustrated and published, and the books disseminated globally to schools and libraries for all children to benefit from being able to read stories told from a child’s point of view. Every story highlights children’s rights and sustainability in creative and entertaining ways.

Sheikha Hissa, a passionate horsewoman and writer, is the author of Tajaarub: From a Horsewoman’s Journey, which explores the powerful connection between humans and horses. She has led her teams of horses in practices and trainings in both England and Dubai. In her position as Goodwill Ambassador for the Gulf Region she is committed to making a real difference in the lives of young people.  

 يسر مبادرة أصوات أجيال المستقبل أن تعلن  بأن سمو الشيخة حصة بنت حمدان بن راشد آل مكتوم قد تكرمت بقبول منصب سفيرة النوايا الحسنة لمنطقة الخليج العربي،  وذلك من أجل تعزيز حقوق الطفل وتوطيد دعائم التنمية المستدامة. وسوف تُسهم الشيخة حصة في ترسيخ اتفاقية هيئة الأمم المتحدة لحقوق الطفل، وتعزيز أهداف التنمية.

 

سمو الشيخة حصة من داعمي الثقافة ومحبي الأدب، وتشارك  الأطفال من جميع أنحاء منطقتنا محبتهم للأدب، وستدعم سلسلة الكتب التي يؤلفها الأطفال للأطفال؛ وهي سلسلة تشتمل على قصص مصورة من جميع أنحاء العالم، وسيتم نشرها  وتوزيعها على مكتبات ومدارس العالم  ليتمكن الأطفال من مطالعة القصص التي يرويها أقرانهم بطرق مبتكرة ومسلية.

 

الفارسة الشيخة حصة بنت حمدان بن راشد آل مكتوم، كاتبة مبدعة، وهي مؤلفة كتاب "تجارب مستوحاة من الفروسية"،  الذي يتناول العلاقة الوطيدة المتميزة بين الخيل والإنسان، و يضم التجارب الشخصية التي خبرتها على صهوات الخيل منذ نعومة أظفارها وحتى الآن، فقد قادت الشيخة حصة تدريبات فريقها من الخيول في كل من إنجلترا ودبي.

 

ومن خلال منصبها كسفيرة للنوايا الحسنة سوف تسهم الشيخة حصة بإحداث الفرق المنشود في حياة الشباب.

 

 

UNESCO Voices of Future Generations Children's Initiative's JustGiving campaign

Weʼre raising £3,000 to purchase books written by the Voices of Future Generations Child Authors to gift to schools in developing countries around the world, help us!

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As 2018 draws to a close, we wanted to thank you for your incredible and instrumental support of the Voices of Future Generations Children's Initiative this past year. Through the support of students, educators, parents, policy makers, and other wonderful local and global community members, children from around the world have been encouraged and enabled to express their voices on global issues relating to children's rights and sustainable development, have become involved in effecting change at the community, national, and international levels, and have worked to shape their futures and that of future generations.

This holiday season, we warmly invite you to share the gift of global education by supporting the UNESCO Voices of Future Generations Children's Initiative's JustGiving campaign. Funds from this campaign will be used to purchase books from the Voices of Future Generations Child Author book series as well as the Bloomsbury Anthology Voices of the Future: Stories from Around the World. Global Child Ambassadors will disseminate these books to schools in need around the world. 

Your gift will have an immediate and positive impact in supporting children's education and empowerment. Spreading these books around the world will help promote greater global awareness, enhance understandings of the world's development challenges, and encourage youth advocacy. Please follow this link to our JustGiving page for more information and to make a donation - every donation makes a difference!https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/vofg

These books can be purchased by clicking on the following links:

Voices of the Future: Stories From Around the World

For Children’s books in English chick here, in Spanish click here and in French click here.

Again, we thank you for your ongoing support and wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season and Happy New Year! We have many exciting new activities in store for 2019 and are eager to share them with you.

Best wishes,

The Voices of Future Generations Team

Voices of Future Generations Biennial Intergenerational Learning Circle 2018 Schedule

The Voices of Future Generations Biennial Intergenerational Learning Circle took place on Thursday 13 September 2018 at the House of Lords at Westminster, London, United Kingdom.

The schedule is as follows: 

  • 11:30-12:00: Arrivals and Registration

  • 12:00-12:30 Welcome and Introductions

  • 12:30-13:15: Roundtable: Children's Rights, the World's Sustainable Development Goals & Intergenerational Equity

  • 13:15-13:40: Break

  • 13:40-14:40: Story Sessions on Children's Rights and the World's SDGs

  • 14:40-15:10: Celebration of Voices of the Future: Stories from Around the World

  • 15:10-15:40: Voices of Future Generations Global Inspiration Award Ceremony

  • 15:40-16:00: Closing Roundtable with Thanks and Acknowledgments

For those attending, please arrive at 11:30 at the Cromwell Green entrance to the UK House of Lords where you will go through airport-style security procedures and then be shown to the event room. Please note that photography and filming in the space are not permitted. Snacks and drinks may be brought, but consumption will only be permitted during the short break, as food and drinks are not permitted in the event space. 

For any questions or concerns, please contact the Event Coordinator Emma Sawatzky: emma.sawatzky@vofg.org

Voices of Future Generations Biennial Intergenerational Learning Circle 2016

2018 Voices Story Writing Competition results from North America and Europe

We are delighted to announce the results of the 2018 Voices of Future Generations writing contest from North America and Europe! We received many wonderful entries, and the judges wish to commend all of the children who put pen to paper about issues that really matter to them. Well done, everyone!

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“Many congratulations to all of the authors for their abundance of hard work and creativity. We are delighted to announce these winners, whose wonderful stories are sure to inspire us all to band together in support of the SDGs, the CRC and their impact on future generations. These young authors epitomize the true meaning of global awareness, and we are so proud to have them represent the mission of VoFG as the Child Authors from North America and Europe.”
— Gabrielle Bacon, North American Goodwill Ambassador

Children at Heffers: Jona David and Diwa Boateng

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At 2pm on Saturday 12th May, come along to Children’s at Heffers, Cambridge, UK for an event with award-winning child authors Jona David and Diwa Boateng!

Jona David’s brightly illustrated books highlight children's rights to a clean environment and education through the magical eco-science adventures of an Eco-Inventor Boy and his Little Brother. His first book, The Epic Eco Inventions, received a gold award from the UN - and now you can come and hear him read from the third book in the series, The Mechanical Chess Invention! 

Diwa Boateng is a UN Climate Justice Ambassador and the author of The Forward and Backward City, a book which shows how inequality in an African city is experienced differently by one poor boy and his rich friend. It is based on research he carried out in South Africa, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Diwa will be reading from his book, which is dedicated to his grandfather who always encouraged him to study hard!

The event is free to attend but booking is essential as places are limited. Please book tickets through this page, by calling 01223 463200 or in person in Heffer’s children’s department.

Activities in South Africa

On Thursday 15 February, Ms Vuyelwa Kuuya, on behalf of the VoFG International Commission donated a set of books in the VoFG Children's Book Series to grade six children at the EMFUNDISWENI school located in the heart of Alexandra Township, Johannesburg, South Africa. Emfundisweni means "a place involved in teaching and learning" in isiZulu, one of the main languages spoken in South Africa. The books will be placed in library corners in two of the classrooms at the school.  

The book donations were received after a presentation on the Post 2015 Sustainable Develipment Goal's, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and each of the unique issues raised by the child authors in the VoFG children's book series.  

The children at EMFUNDISWENI school were grateful and the head was keen to explore ways in which the children can get involved in current and future VoFG acivities where possible.

2017 Voices Story Writing Competition results from Asia...

GOLD WINNER

This year's Gold winner is Yun-Hung Huang, age 10, who studies at the New Taipei Municipal Zhong-Zheng Elementary School in Taiwan. The story "Small Sparrow, Great Hero" really touched the judges and they were very inspiring to read about one little bird being able to enact so much change with its passion!

Congratulations, Yun-Hung, on winning the Gold prize! The Voices of Future Generations International Commission look forwards to working with you, to form your story into a book that fits the global series.

SILVER WINNERS:

A Green Adventure, by Yun-Zhen Dan, age 10, Kaohsiung Municipal Zih-Guan Elementary School, Taiwan

A Meaningful Lesson, by Chia-Hu Kao, age 11, Changhua Municipal Jiu-Guan Elementary School, Taiwan

BRONZE WINNERS:

The Awakening of the Earth People, by Jui-Heng Chang, age 12, Taipei Municipal Shiu-De Elementary School, Taiwan

To Be a Star Environmental Fighter, by Chih-Yi Chiu, age 11, Kaohsiung Municipal Zih-Guan Elementary School, Taiwan

The Sky That Belongs to the Mangrove Forest, by Tzu-Chuan Huang, age 12, Kaohsiung Municipal Zih-Guan Elementary School, Taiwan

Special Poetry Prize

Who is Speaking? By Hung-Yueh Cho, age 11, Taichung Municipal Wai-Pu Elementary School, Taiwan

The judges felt this was a very carefully and cleverly crafted piece of writing. They unanimously decided that they would like to award Hung-Yueh Cho with a special Poetry Prize, meaning that this piece of writing will be featured on our global website. Congratulations!

HONOURABLE MENTIONS:

Fireflies are Angry, by Zhen-You Guo, age 11, Taipei Municipal Guan-Du Elementary School, Taiwan

 Confessions of Little Angel Leopard Cat, by Pei Chen Tsao, age11, Changhua Municipal Chung-Shan Elementary School, Taiwan

Thank you again to all the children who entered, from across Asia. It is always wonderful to hear your ideas and read your creative writing. Thank you, also, to EQPF and their prestigious judges for helping to facilitate the contest. 

 

 

 

London Children's Book Fair

Come and see us at the London Children's Book Fair - next Friday and Saturday 15th and 16th December!

It is taking place at Parasol Unit, 14 Wharf Road, London N1 7RW.

Jona David and Diwa Boateng will be doing special book signings on Saturday 16th, between 11am and 1pm, and 2pm until 4pm. We hope to see you there!

Follow all the action from the fair on our social media (@VoFGChildren), and also @thelondonchildrensbookfair on Instagram, hashtag #tlcbf17.

Forging Special Connections with CoP23 Presidency

At the UN General Assembly High Level Event on Climate Education, Children and Youth, Jona David made a special presentation of books for the CoP 23 Presidency. He gave Tyra's book Visible Girls, and Lupe's book The Voice of an Island, the two books in the series from the Pacific Islands.

Voices of Future Generations are really excited to hear of opportunities for learning from CoP23 and the possibility to participate in the Voices of the Future educational day.

Many thanks for being such an inspiration!

 

© 2025 The Voices of Future Generations Children’s Initiative (VoFG CI) is a charitable initiative of the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL), a registered non-profit organization