WAGGGS and WOSM statement on climate change

Today is Education Day at COP21, the climate change conference in Paris, France.  To recognise the importance of climate change education in combating the worrying effects of climate change on children, young people and their communities, the World Association of Girl Guides & Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) are jointly releasing a statement on their viewpoint on climate change.

Collectively, both organisations represent 50 million members around the world, where we strive to enable young people to be active and responsible citizens of the world who are empowered to create positive change in their communities.

Climate change is a critical challenge that will affect the present and especially our future generations – today’s young people will be the ones who will have to bear the consequences of our actions or inactions - the decisions we make at this present time.

It is the young people’s future that is being risked if we fail to take much needed action to combat climate change. As such, both organisations believe that the voices of young people deserves to be heard – that their interests should be represented in all decision-making processes, and that they are consulted on strategies or development programmes related to environmental and climate change.

The Secretary General of WOSM, Scott A. Teare said that Scouts around the world have been taking action to address environmental and natural disaster issues in their communities and countries, since the inception of WAGGGS and WOSM. “We are well-aware of the issues and concerns being discussed among world leaders, and are aligned with the requirements or solutions that need to be pursued. I believe that our Guides and Scouts are fully capable to take up the challenge and help find a solution.”

Read the full WOSM WAGGGS CoP21 Joint Statement (available in English and French) and learn more about why both organisations are urging all parties to recognise that climate change is not only an environmental issue, but also a human rights issue here.