Empowering Youth for Global Change: Building a Brighter Future for Children Worldwide

I am Kanari Noguchi, a high school student in the US. I am fortunate to receive a quality education and explore my interests deeply. However, there are many people who are unable to pursue their passions or lack basic necessities to live a protected life. This lack of access to education and essential needs for children around the world is a pressing issue. Therefore, it is crucial for us to actively engage in activities that can improve their lives and protect them from any harm or danger, building a brighter future for children worldwide.

Currently, I am assisting Japanese children who have limited opportunities to learn English. Additionally, I am providing self-made children's books to kids in Bangladesh and Cambodia who work for us. These initiatives enable them to learn English easily and understand global issues more effectively.

Children's rights are fundamental human rights. The United Nations has established the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), a legally-binding international agreement that outlines the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of every child, regardless of their race, religion, or abilities. The UNCRC consists of 54 articles that emphasize children's rights and the responsibilities of governments towards them.

To date, 196 countries have signed the UNCRC, making it the only human rights treaty that involves non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The significance of this document lies in its explicit protection for children within the age range of 0-18. It guarantees various rights such as freedom of expression, safety, and parental or guardian care, aiming to enhance the well-being of children. Despite the importance placed on protecting children's rights, not all objectives have been successfully achieved, and serious issues persist.

Firstly, one of the most significant problems is the lack of access to education. More than 72 million children are currently out-of-school, and this issue stems from financial constraints as well as social conflicts such as gender inequality, health problems, ethnicity, and religion. Even in regions where primary schools are available, the lack of knowledgeable adults or financial resources often hinders the recruitment of qualified teachers with basic teaching skills.

Although there has been a reduction in child labor due to global efforts, a vast number of children are still subjected to hazardous work. This is one of many contributions that youth cannot access to adequate education. They are put in hard labor lasting hours and hours so that they don’t have emotional and time leeway to attend a school. The percentage of child labor increased in 2020 due to the economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, putting an additional 9 million children at risk. These children face mental and physical harm, diseases, and, in extreme cases, death while working to support their families. Examples of such labor include working in tobacco farms where they endure excessive sunlight and exposure to nicotine and pesticides, as well as in gold mines where the risk of collapse and exposure to toxic mercury pose significant threats to their development and well-being.

Credit: International Labor organization

Child abuse takes different forms, with neglect being the most prevalent. Families with a low socio-economic status experience child abuse and neglect at a rate five times higher than those with a moderate or high socio-economic status. Those kids under low socio-economic status parents or family tend to have less educational opportunity, leading them to have little knowledge about avoiding abuse, violence, and neglect. In addition, a high rate of neglect among those parents due to their lack of food resources, health care, shelter, and emotional stability. Any form of abuse carries a high risk of causing long-term mental disorders, including heart disease, depression, obesity, and substance abuse.

Credit: annapsychproject

My mission is to shed light on the endangered and undervalued rights of children worldwide and to address ways in which we can improve their lives, whether on a local or larger scale. To create a safer, more cherished, and engaging world for all children, there are several options and actions we can take.

Firstly, donating to nonprofit organizations dedicated to protecting children's rights, such as UNICEF and Save the Children, is a meaningful way to contribute and improve their lives and security.

Secondly, raising awareness by sharing information about ongoing problems on social media platforms can have an immediate and widespread impact. By reaching out to your followers, you can help raise awareness among your peers about the devastating realities faced by children.

Lastly, establishing connections and engaging with others is crucial. Hosting workshops or setting up information tables at school events or within organizations allows people to gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by children in these situations. This collective effort enables you and your peers to contribute to finding solutions and making progress.

I have developed an 8-step framework to guide actions taken to support children, with "equality" as a fundamental principle.

Credit: Kanari Noguchi

“Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear.” — Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa

I support and contribute to achieve these 3-dimensional goals from UN 17 Sustainable International Goals (SDGs).

Credit: United Nations (https://sdgs.un.org/goals)

• By 2030,ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes

• By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being

• Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms