Summary of presentation of information

Moderator: Carol Smolenski, Former Executive Director and Founder ECPAT-USA

Panellist 1: Jonathan Todres, University Professor for Georgia State University College of Law.

• It is estimated that 170 million children per year will be affected by Climate Change and the impact is both short and long termed

3 Key Issues:

• Full Implementation of the human rights law
• Creation of pathways by the government so children can also be heard
• Mainstream Child rights: Children needs to be involved in every sector and every stage of laws, policies and programmes related to climate change and disaster.

Panellist 2: Olivia Umoh (SR) Dir. Safe-Child Advocacy
  Climate Change in Ghana

• Climate change is worsening poverty situations in Ghana and people are having to migrate to cities

Results of Climate Change that might lead to Human Trafficking

• Vulnerability, increased poverty, unsafe migration, lack of security, safety and protection, efforts to change situation for family/self

Human Trafficking in Ghana

• Ghana is the source, transit, and destination of trafficking in persons (TIP)
• Ghanaian children, youths and women are trafficked internally and externally for: domestic servitude, farm labour, illegal mining, fishing, and sexual exploitation

Gaps to be Addressed

• Massive public education on environmental actions led by the government
• Programmes to address poverty by government and international communities
• Education on the reality of human trafficking

Panellist 3: Kaina Joy Yabut, Youth representative GUAM youth congress

• Climate change is not just an environmental issue but an ‘everything’ issue ranging from health to public safety, economy, and a lot more.
• The youth cannot envision a bright future without thinking of climate change.

Panellist 4: Laura Healy-Programme Specialist in Migration and displacement UNICEF
  Intersecting Vulnerabilities

• Migrant, refugees, and internally displaced children are among the most vulnerable to climate impacts and child trafficking
• The most vulnerable have few options to move safely and regularly
• Risk of trafficking rises for adolescents travelling alone and without education

Taking Action

• Prevent and reduce risk of displacement as a result of climate change
• Strengthen inclusive services and systems for children and young people who move (education, health, child protection, WASH)
• Ensure safe migration is an option for children and young people affected by climate change
• Improve cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange between border control, law enforcement and child protection authorities
• Partner with children and young people impacted by climate change by giving them a seat at the table.

Recommendations

• Prioritising the views of young people
• Prioritising empowerment of young people and children.

What information shared in this meeting is of significance to The Salvation Army and why?

Increased poverty, unsafe migration, lack of security, safety, and protection are all a result of climate change and are also the factors that makes children and youth vulnerable to human trafficking and modern slavery. This is of significance to The Salvation Army because one of it’s aim as an Evangelical Christian church and an international charity organisation is to meet human needs in the name of Christ without discrimination.

What is The Salvation Army currently doing to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals addressed in this meeting?

The Salvation Army provides food, water, access to healthcare facilities etc. for people affected by climate change. The Salvation Army UK is also a part of The Climate Coalition, the largest group of people dedicated to action on climate change and limiting its impact on the environment.

What opportunities are there for The Salvation Army to create or further develop the work in this area?

The Salvation Army has the opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of climate change and its link to Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. This can be done through events, resources, and programmes throughout corps and community centres.

Web links for more information

Please find the full recording of the panel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo-CMJp_1XY

1. “Climate Mobility and Children. Summary Report of Symposium”, November 2020: https://www.unicef.org/globalinsight/media/1926/file/Summary%20Report:%20Climate%20Mobility%20and%20Children.pdf
2. “Mainstreaming Children’s Rights in Post Disaster Settings,” Jonathan Todres, Georgia State University College of Law, 2011: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2033300
3. “Children and Climate Change, The Future of Children,” Princeton-Brookings, 2016 https://futureofchildren.princeton.edu/sites/futureofchildren/files/media/children_and_climate_change_26_1_full_journal.pdf
4. “Children uprooted in a changing climate”, October 2021 https://www.unicef.org/media/109711/file/Children%20uprooted%20in%20a%20changing%20climate.pdf
5. "Children and Disasters: The Essential Role of Children's Rights Law,” March 2021 https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3812674