MARGAO: Acknowledging children as agents of change, chairperson of Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) Peter F Borges highlighted their strong capacity to contribute to multilateralism and global governance.
Borges, who is also the Founder of the Human Touch Foundation, was speaking at the recent 2024 UN Civil Society Conference at Nairobi, Kenya. The event aimed to advance the Summit of the Future, shaping an inclusive, sustainable, and secure future for all.
The first session on ‘Children’s Rights and Participation’ aimed at establishing children as a critical constituency, enabling their voices and needs to influence global policymaking.
The second session on ‘Towards the World Social Summit’ concentrated on poverty eradication, social protection, and social cohesion.
In this session Borges advocated for amplifying the voices and participation of marginalised communities in shaping social development and global governance.
The conference focused on amplifying diverse voices, building impactful multi-stakeholder coalitions, and innovating civil society’s interaction with intergovernmental processes.
Borges highlighted the Human Touch Foundation’s dedication to fostering youth engagement in pivotal global dialogues.
“Participation in this conference is not merely an honour; it represents a profound responsibility.
My roles with these organizations equip me to strongly advocate for the pressing needs of our children and youth, driving forward a global agenda that seeks to enhance their health, rights, and empowerment,” Borges said.
The event coincided with the broader Summit of the Future, which will lead to an intergovernmental Pact for the Future at the UN headquarters in New York, aiming to establish a visionary framework for a globally sustainable and equitable future, highlighted by a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations.
