…when you’ve finished washing and dressing each morning, you must tend to your planet. -The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery

In the quote above, the Little Prince explains to his ‘grown-up’ friend that caring for our planet should be an integral part of life. Our mission is based upon the simple truth that all children carry this knowledge in their hearts, yet for so many of us, this knowing is abandoned by the time we reach adolescence due to pressures and priorities of society and many educational systems. Caring for the environment, and caring for one’s own self are essential life skills which keep us healthy, empowered and productive citizens later in life cannot be understated!

This was best shared with us by an eight year old girl in West Pokot, Kenya, who when asked: “What does water, sanitation and hygiene education have to do with your garden and tree nursery?” responded to say…

“Having water to wash my hands gives me a healthy body… and having water to care for our garden and trees gives us a healthy environment.”

It is for this reason that ECI is committed to:

  • facilitation of intergenerational dialogue and debate between children and policymakers on substantive issues related to climate change, water and environmental health
  • ensuring that the needs and capacities of children and young people are addressed in emerging policy framework
  • helping children and young people to recognize within themselves that they can make a difference to their own lives, the lives of others and of our planet (thinking globally and acting locally)
  • support policymakers, teachers, parents and youth facilitators to encourage the actions and advocacy of children and young people as they develop a new relationship to the Earth and to each other as global citizens
  • negotiate for and be a watchdog to ensure that promises are kept and that there is meaningful follow-up and implementation of agreed upon goals and principles

In today’s world it is quite easy to find emotionally moving speeches and statements by world leaders about the threat and impact of climate change and/or the world water crisis on today’s children and future generations. Yet, beyond the compelling rhetoric, children and young people have been relatively absent in policies and plans which are emerging internationally and are being developed by most countries and regions.

Earth Child Institute is dedicated to changing this trend by building bridges and bonds between and across sectors, structures and levels of awareness toward the inclusion and empowerment of today’s children and young people. Supporting policies, programmes and services based on these principles and the premise that what children learn today will shape the world tomorrow.

For more information, contact us today.