This report presents the voices of 69 children—33 girls and 36 boys—aged 14 to 17 from 10 countries, sharing their experiences and perspectives on migration. Through consultations, they discussed key themes, including the drivers of migration, its impact on children, identity documentation, challenges in civil registration, and recommendations for strengthening civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems. The participating countries were Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Press release about the earthquake that shook Myanmar on March 28, 2025

In East Asia, millions of women, girls, and people with disabilities face persistent inequalities that limit their access to essential services and lifelong opportunities. An estimated 43 million children in the region live with disabilities, many of whom are denied education and healthcare. Poverty forces nearly 1 in 10 children into child labour across the Asia-Pacific region. Additionally, 1 in 5 girls are married before their 18th birthday, hindering their education and increasing their vulnerability to poverty.

At World Vision, we believe every child has the right to live free from harm. Yet, across East Asia, nearly 60% of children experience violence before they reach adulthood, and millions face the threat of trafficking, exploitation, and neglect. These realities demand urgent action.

This Child-Led Study on the Lived Experiences and Perspectives of Children in East Asia is the result of the dedication and hard work of children aged 12-18 years old who are currently engaged with World Vision East Asia through the Young Minds CAMP - a regional leadership development academy.

This Child-Led Study on the Lived Experiences and Perspectives of Children in East Asia is the result of the dedication and hard work of children aged 12-18 years old who are currently engaged with World Vision East Asia through the Young Minds CAMP - a regional leadership development academy.

East Asia is one of the most climate-exposed and disaster-prone region. Up to 65% of children face multiple and increasingly frequent shocks, including flooding, drought, saltwater inundation, and climate-related diseases. Children and families living in poverty are disproportionately affected.

This report, “Advocates for Change: Asia Pacific Children and Youth’s Voices & Perspectives on Climate Action and Disaster Risk Reduction”, is the result of the collaboration between partners from different development organizations. This project commenced in May 2024 and culminated in the launch of the report in October 2024 by the Asia Pacific Coalition for School Safety (APCSS).