Hello! I’m Nafiso, a 16-year-old child rights activist from Somalia. I want to share with you my incredible experience at the UN Civil Society Conference, where I had the opportunity to voice my concerns and advocate for the rights and well-being of children.

The UN Civil Society Conference: Empowering Change

From May 9-10, 2024, I attended the UN Civil Society Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. This was a significant milestone leading up to the Summit of the Future (SoTF). The conference aimed to enable civil society to engage in shaping global governance proposals.

At the conference, I had the chance to participate in various workshops and presentations. It was inspiring to see so many passionate individuals and organisations working towards tackling issues like poverty, environmental degradation, and social injustice.

One of the highlights for me was the child-led workshop titled "Children's Experiences Towards a Greener, Equitable, and Happier World." As a participant and presenter, I shared my experiences and ideas on addressing climate change and inequality. It was empowering to lead discussions and see my peers confidently voicing their perspectives.

At the UN Civil Society Conference in Nairobi, Nafiso engages with global leaders, emphasising the critical need for child-centred policies to address climate change, inequality, and social justice.

My Message to World Leaders

During the conference, I presented a call to action based on the ideas we discussed in the Virtual Dialogue. Here’s a part of what I shared:

"Children are not just the future; we are the present. Our voices matter today, and we have the right to be heard in decisions that shape our world. We are the generation that will inherit this planet. It is our responsibility to fight for a sustainable future, where our environment is protected and nurtured for all children. We cannot wait for change to happen; we must be the change. I call on world leaders to listen to us, to take our concerns seriously, and to act now for a brighter future for all children."

These words are not just mine; they echo the sentiments of children in Somalia and worldwide who want to see real, impactful change.

Looking Forward

 This experience has strengthened my resolve to continue advocating for children's rights and environmental sustainability. I have learned that even though we face many challenges, our determination and unity can drive meaningful change.

As I continue my journey, I remain committed to my education and advocacy work. I hope to inspire more young people to join this cause and amplify our collective voice.

With hope and determination,

Nafiso