"The future can still succeed" - This was the second World Child Forum in Davos

(Davos, July 2024) At this year's World Child Forum (WCF) in Davos, Switzerland, which took place from July 15 to 19, 2024, more than 250 children and young people from over 30 nations came together under the motto "We build the world we want". As with the World Economic Forum (WEF), which is held annually in the same rooms of the Davos Congress Center, the focus was not only on personal encounters but also on joint dialogue on pressing and upcoming future issues. The five-day event offered participants aged between 8 and 23 the opportunity to take part in workshops, panel discussions and cultural exchange programs. Particularly moving was the participation of groups from Palestine and Israel as well as from Russia and Ukraine, who jointly sought - and pursued - paths to peace. The WCF ended with an impressive closing gala in which the participants presented their results and demands. The participants impressively demonstrated the power, ideas, creative will and importance of the young generation and how much these voices deserve to be heard in addition to high-level economic policy.

On 15.07.2024, the World Child Forum (WCF) opened its doors to over 250 participants from more than 30 nations on six continents at the Davos Congress Center. During the five days in Davos, the young participants, characterized by deep and existential encounters, formulated their own sincere and also drastic demands to the rulers of the world. Through the exchange of experiences among the participants as well as the real impressions from the different cultures, new networks and friendships were forged that will help the participants to regularly develop their projects - such as the "Combatants for Peace" from Israel and Palestine or the Amazon activist group from Sao Paolo - and ideas together in the WCF community far beyond the forum in Davos and to provide mutual support.

"Despite the challenges, it became clear that this format is indispensable. It offers an important space in which the voices, attitudes and hopes of the younger generation are prominently heard - similar to the World Economic Forum in January for adults",_ reports Bernhard Hanel, founder and initiator of the WCF.

During the World Child Forum 2024 in the rooms of the Davos Congress Center - where the World Economic Forum usually meets annually with powerful representatives from politics and business - the children and young people developed remarkable, newly conceived solutions and sincere demands for the world's complex problems in intensive, bilateral and intercultural working groups. The spectrum ranged from socio-political debates on climate change, exploitation, child protection and poverty in the countries of origin to calls for new, more meaningful educational standards and future-oriented school systems.

"A key insight gained from the forum is the need to transform the narrative of failure, which is often conveyed by the media, into a poetry of success. There are many inspiring projects around the world that we should talk about. Particularly moving was the participation of a group of young people from Palestine and Israel who, through dialog and awareness of each other's history, are working to achieve a common understanding and thus peace. These stories deserve to be told and celebrated,"_ summarizes Bernhard Hanel.

Impressive results were also achieved in the workshops that took place at the same time. These included the new WCF song, which was composed, produced and "filmed" by over 60 participants themselves and whose music video will go viral in August. In another workshop, the participants created over 30 three-dimensional models and haptic concept studies of play and meeting spaces, which serve as the basis for playground projects planned and to be implemented in real life, including for (post-)war and crisis areas such as the Gaza Strip.

One group wrote personal letters to presidents, heads of state and government as leaders at the World Economic Forum, urging them in clear terms to have the courage to act for the world.

"(...) It is no longer enough for you to simply express your deep regret and concern in words. We want you to finally act and take responsibility. Drive this change forward, because otherwise we will be overrun by other forces - and not for the better. We need to be more radical to stop this well-planned imperialism. I am ready to actively participate in this global change."_ appeals Yeva-Mariia from Ukraine to UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

In line with the idea of a "forum", the promotion of dialog between the different countries and cultures is central, whereby a better understanding of each other was developed and mutual respect was strengthened.

"The atmosphere was overwhelming, characterized by empathy, appreciation and freedom. I was deeply impressed, not to say "flashed" by the diverse contributions with which the participants were allowed to express themselves at the gala - just as they felt like it.",_ Adrian Förster, CEO, Save the Children

All in all, the second World Child Forum once again impressively demonstrates that the voices of children and young people are anything but naive or utopian. Rather, their perspectives on complex issues and their paradigm-free approach to dialog are impressive. The resulting future-oriented impulses are a complementary enrichment for decision-making in our "adult world".

Preparations are now underway for the World Child Forum 2025, and the non-profit organization urgently needs financial and personnel support to ensure its success.

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Appeal for donations: Supporting the World Child Forum means supporting the future. More information at https://www.betterplace.org/de/projects/135864

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More voices on the WCF:

"One week of the World Child Forum is behind me and I have to process the incredible number of new impressions. I met many young people: from Brazil, Amazonia, Tanzania, Colombia, Ukraine, Russia, Palestine, Israel, Bosnia, Armenia, Austria, Switzerland, Uganda, Greece, China, Japan ... and they all danced together, sang, created, discussed, tried to put their hearts and fears into words. And at the same time, they carried incredible, positive energy with them and transmitted it to the many rooms in the Davos Congress Center. At this point, it is difficult for me to find words that could adequately describe this experience and the countless encounters. The pictures are just a tiny sample of this unique project. I'm really looking forward to 2025." Jasmine Moreau, German Association for Democracy

"This initiative is crucial to amplify the voices of children and young people worldwide. The commitment of the groups from Palestine and Israel working for peace was truly inspiring and is just ONE example. We must all support the World Child Forum to create a global stage for these young change-makers."_ Meryam Schneider, CMO, Altian

"We need this event to continue so that as many adults as possible understand that our choices have consequences, especially for those who cannot fight back. You have all given them a voice. And those voices need to be heard."_ Joyce Darkoh, NOW Brand Mentoring

"I have been deeply affected by the voices of youth - I hope the World Child Forum gets the support it needs to change the world!"_ Karin Bucher, Scenographer

"Apparently, children and young people have to show us how peaceful coexistence works! The "oh so grown-up" national, economic and (yes) even spiritual leaders should take a leaf out of their book!"_ Alexander Picolin, Supervisory Board Talkpool Deutschland AG

"What particularly impressed me was the attitude, commitment and determination with which the young people want to change the world. Through the many encounters and conversations, I always felt a connection with the young people that made my heart beat faster."_ Norman Bücher, extreme athlete

Mr. Goetz Schmidt
press@world-child-forum.org
Germany

About the WCF: The World Child Forum was founded in 2022 by Bernhard Hanel. The independent and non-profit initiative promotes and encourages the participation of children and young people in all socially relevant issues worldwide.

This release was published on openPR.