On 7 July 2016, London became the vibrant stage for a truly inspiring celebration of young voices, children’s rights, and the global vision of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The day began with a lively and heartfelt book launch hosted at the renowned Bloomsbury Publishing, marking a significant milestone, the official release of an anthology with the first seven stories in the Voices of Future Generations Children’s Book Series. These stories were authored by a diverse group of young storytellers from across the globe, each bringing their unique perspective and creativity to the project.

Filled with pride and enthusiasm, the young authors passionately shared how their characters and narratives were deeply inspired by the principles enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), as well as the ambitious 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda aimed at creating a better, more equitable world for all.

The stories explored vital themes such as environmental stewardship, access to quality education, social inclusion, and equality. Through their imaginative storytelling, these young voices not only showcased remarkable creativity but also demonstrated profound understanding and commitment to addressing the global challenges faced by children today and future generations to come. This event not only celebrated literary talent but also underscored the power of youth-led advocacy in shaping a sustainable and just future for all.

In the afternoon, the conversation moved to the historic Houses of Parliament in Westminster, where an Intergenerational Learning Circle took place. Co-hosted by the Voices of Future Generations initiative and the Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice, the event brought together child authors, UN SDG Child Ambassadors, and students from local UK schools for a powerful exchange of ideas. Children from all walks of life gathered to share their visions for a better future and how they would tackle global issues such as climate change, gender inequality, access to quality education, and child participation in governance.

What emerged was a clear, unified message from children around the world:
All children must be empowered to know and claim their rights.
Participants emphasized the urgent need for awareness and implementation of the CRC, particularly the right to be heard. They appealed to governments, educators, and leaders to recognize children not only as beneficiaries of development but also as active contributors to change.

Many of the children expressed their commitment to sustainability and their concern that too often, short-term personal gain takes precedence over long-term environmental and social well-being. As one young speaker poignantly stated,

“Once given a voice, we will speak, and once listened to, we will move forward in the goal to give every child rights.”

A highlight of the event was the presentation of the 2016 Future Generations Inspiration Award to Professor Kirsten Sandberg, former Chair of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child. Presented by the child authors themselves, the award recognized Professor Sandberg’s tireless work in advancing the rights of children globally.

The event also featured moving speeches via video-link from two distinguished global advocates:

Irina Bokova, then-Director General of UNESCO, and
Professor Edith Brown-Weiss of Georgetown Law School, both of whom praised the children's courage, creativity, and commitment to justice.

Special thanks were extended to Baroness Julie Smith of Newnham, who played a key role in making the event possible, and to all the educators, guardians, and institutions who supported the young authors on their journey.