Online International Roundtable on Education, the UNCRC, and the SDGs

Are you interested in learning about the links between education, children's rights, and sustainability on the UN's International Literacy Day? Are you inspired by the leadership of children and youth to advance the global Sustainable Development Goals, specially quality education (SDG 4)? Would you like to help implement the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child by encouraging children's voices? The International Roundtable on Education, hosted jointly by the Voices of Future Generations Children's Initiative, in partnership with the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL), and experts from the University of Cambridge, McGill University, and the University of Nairobi, among others, convenes teachers, child and youth leaders, mentors and experts on intergenerational equity, children's rights and sustainable development for an interactive dialogue to raise awareness and speak up for education, children's rights and the global Sustainable Development Goals. This special online event celebrates the global launch of ten beautifully illustrated new children's books. The event features VoFG CI Child Authors and Child Ambassadors from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, the Middle East, Oceania and the Pacific Islands. Further, honoured invited chairs and speakers include: Judge Prof. Marcel Szabo*, former Ombudsperson for the Rights of Future Generations and Chair of Voices of Future Generations Children's Initiative, Dr. Gabrielle Sacconaghi Bacon*, Goodwill Ambassador, Voices of Future Generations Children's Initiative, Adv. Neshan Gunasekera, CISDL Lead Counsel, Prof. Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger of the University of Cambridge and University of Waterloo, Senior Director of the CISDL, all leaders in the VoFG CI International Commission; alongside keynote remarks from Dr. Roda Muse, Secretary-General of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, together with Ms. Isabelle LeVert-Chiasson, ASPnet Coordinator with Canadian Commission for UNESCO, Prof. David Boyd (UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Environment), and Isobel Abuhoul OBE (CEO and Trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation & International Commission, VoFG). The Voices of Future Generations new children's books being celebrated with UNESCO, CISDL and partners on International Literacy Day 2021 include: • The Sound of Silence by Ying-Xuan Lai (Asia) on climate change (Goal 13) and life on land (Goal 15). • The White Dolphin by Zhuo Meng-Xin (Asia) on climate change (Goal 13) and life below water (Goal 14). • The Small Sparrow Hero by Huang Yun-Hung (Asia) on climate change (Goal 13) and responsible consumption and production (Goal 12). • Journey for Tomorrow by Andrea Wilson (North America) on clean energy (Goal 7), responsible consumption and production (Goal 12), and life below water (Goal 14). • The Children Who Saved the Mangroves by Rehema Kibugi (Africa) on climate change (Goal 13) and life on land (Goal 15). • Stanley and EPIC by Jasper Chin Moody (Oceania) on sustainable cities and communities (Goal 11) and consumption and production (Goal 12). • Dream Catcher by Tien-Li Cheng (Asia) on responsible consumption and production (SDG12), climate change (SDG13) and life on land (Goal 15). • Finding the Language by Adelyn Newman-Ting (Global Indigenous Child Author) on quality education (Goal 4) and life on land (Goal 15). • The Girl Who Changed Everything by Freya Tikva (Europe) on sustainable cities and communities (Goal 11) and responsible consumption and production (SDG12).* • The Challenge of a Generation by Christina-Angelina Kassongo (Africa) on quality education (Goal 4), sustainable cities and communities (Goal 11), and peace and justice (16). • Saoud and Chess by Saoud Ahmad Al-Kaabi (Middle East) on inequality (Goal 10) and peace and justice (16).