PBA REPORT: 7-years-old Child Climate Activist from Manipur, India Ms. Licypriya Kangujam received the prestigious “World Children Peace Prize 2019”.
7-years-old Child Climate Activist from Manipur, India Ms. Licypriya Kangujam received the prestigious “World Children Peace Prize 2019” from Global Peace Index – Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), Australia for child advocacy on one of the greatest impending dangers to humanity: the devastation that could be triggered by climate change in an event organised by Regional Alliance for Fostering Youth & Ministry of Youth, Sports & Community Empowerment, Government of Maldives at Maldives National University, Malè, Republic of Maldives yesterday.
The prize was received from the Hand of Mr. Charles Allen, Executive Director of Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), Australia which is the parent organisation of Global Peace Index (GPI).
The Global Peace Index (GPI) is a report produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP),and developed in consultation with an international panel of peace experts from peace institutes and think tanks with data collected and collated by the Economist Intelligence Unit. GIP is endorsed by individuals such as former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former President of Finland and 2008 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Martti Ahtisaari, Nobel laureate Muhammed Yunus, economist Jeffrey Sachs, former president of Ireland Mary Robinson, former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Jan Eliasson and former United States president Jimmy Carter. The updated index is released each year at events in London, Washington, DC; and at the United Nations Secretariat in New York.
She said to PSM – the Government of Maldives official Television Channel after receiving the prize that, “They recognized climate change as one of the greatest long-term challenges to international peace and security. The impact of climate change goes beyond the environment. At the national, regional and global levels, climate change is having a significant effect on economies, social development and peace and security, particularly in fragile contexts where it is a threat multiplier to governance challenges.”
The increased frequency, severity and magnitude of extreme weather events all over the world – one of the most immediate and visible results of climate change– will likely continue to generate humanitarian crises.
She added, “I am very thankful to Global Peace Index, Government of Maldives & RAFY for this great honour. I will not take this only as an achievement but as a new responsibility fixed on me to achieve my goal to fight for the global climate change. This is the time for action before it’s too late. I trust everyone will support me.”
She will be traveling to Thailand after Maldives to attend the United Nations Asia – Pacific Climate Week 2019 to be held from 2-6 September at UN Conference Centre, Bangkok.
She further said that, “My visit to this important nations on the invitation of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will helps to raise regional and global climate ambition which are walking the talk and making the conferences sustainable to the greatest possible extent. This includes offsetting all unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions from air travel to and from the conference. Will meet global leaders from various countries in next 5 days.”
The program is convene by United Nations Secretary General in advance with the upcoming UN Climate Summit 2019 to be held on 23 September in New York to meet the climate challenge. The Summit will showcase a leap in collective national political ambition and it will demonstrate massive movements in the real economy in support of the agenda. Together, these developments will send strong market and political signals and inject momentum in the “race to the top” among countries, companies, cities and civil society that is needed to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.
During her visit to Malè, Republic of Maldives, Licypriya also met Dr. Hussain Rasheed Hassan, Minister of Environment, Government of Maldives. In the meeting, A presentation was given regarding the effects of climate change to all the senior officers of the Ministry and discussed about climate change mitigation in the presence of the Minister. She urge to pressure Government of India & other SAARC Countries to enact the Climate Change law to tackle various issues of our environment with action in this region.
Minister said, “We are really grateful to Licypriya for visiting our Ministry by accepting our invitation during her 5 days visit to Maldives to attend the Global Youth Peace Ambassador Program 2019. Our Government is fully support her.” Mr. Ajwad Mustafa, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry was also present in the meeting.
She also addressed and had interactions with the students of Iskandhar School – one of the largest Top School in Maldives.
She is currently on 5 nations Official visits to Maldives, Singapore, Thailand, Angola & USA since 27 August till 25 September.
Official Video link: https://www.facebook.com/100026542216988/posts/379656929595711?sfns=mo
PBA/BK
