Children take a stand for their future in Cancun.

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Today in Cancun, Plan International, Save the Children, UNICEF and World Vision provided a platform for children from Haiti, Mexico, Indonesia, Bolivia and Belize to interview world leaders calling for action at the climate change negotiations. Walter, 12 years old from Belize said "I am the present and the future - a victim of climate change.  I live in a region that is constantly being affected by disasters.  Hurricanes and floods are my reality.  My life is real and so am I." Yvo de Boer, Former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework on Climate Change, Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland and President of Realizing Rights: the Ethical Globalization Initiative and Helena Molin Valdés is the Deputy Director of the UNISDR secretariat listened to the pressing concerns of children living in countries affected by our changing climate. Reacting to the presentations from children, Yvo de Boer said , "We need to keep reminding Ministers what they're negotiating about - the lives of children and young people.  It's for this reason that I invited a child to be part of my opening address in Copenhagen to remind people what this process is about." Children make up more than half the population in countries predicted to be most affected by climate change and are facing increasing impacts from disaster events.  More than US$ 14 billion has been spent on humanitarian funding in 2010, making it the biggest year for international emergency response on record. Save the Children estimates that by 2030, 175 million children a year will be affected by natural disasters.  Although the threats children face are considerable, they should not be seen as passive victims.  Children must be given the opportunity and space to contribute to the decisions affecting their lives.  2050 may seem like a long way off for negotiators in Cancun but for children it is their future and they have a right to ensure it is protected.  With less than a week to go before the climate change negotiations in Cancun draw to a close, UNICEF, Plan International and Save the Children  (working together as Children in a Changing Climate www.ChildreninaChangingClimate.org) are calling for Governments to ensure children's right, needs and capacities are fully recognised and explicitly referenced in any agreement.  Mary Robinson said "We have to give children the opportunity to get their voices heard and then we can understand that climate change is not just about environment and glaciers but also people. We need to hear from people particularly those most affected by climate change and that's children." Wendolyn, 17 years old from Mexico addressing the audience said "We're willing to work with you.  Are you willing to work with us?" For more information For interviews with young delegates and other press enquiries in Cancun please contact: Lydia Baker (Save the Children) on 00 44 7775 870640 Kerry Constabile (UNICEF) on 00 1 917 833 2514 In Cancun:  Atiq.Ahmed@plan-international.org;  l.baker@savethechildren.org.uk; kconstabile@unicef.org; melisa.bodenhamer@wvi.org International:  A.spalton@unicef.org; nick.hall@plan-international.org