Habitat III Children's Assembly - The City We Need for Children

The Habitat III Conference, held in October 2016 in Ecuador, was only the third time in history where global leaders and urbanists have gathered to discuss the world’s cities, and a historic first for the inclusion of children’s voices in the entire Habitat process.

During the event, World Vision co-led the first Children and Youth Assembly - bringing together over 100 children and adolescents from Ecuador, El Salvador, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Brazil, India and Indonesia from local, regional and global child and youth focused agencies to identify issues, priorities and recommendations for the implementation of the New Urban Agenda. The Assembly, the first of its kind, aimed to provide a formal platform for current citizens and future leaders to propose solutions that can contribute to cities for children that are just, safe, healthy, prosperous and resilient that leave no one behind.

During the opening ceremony, Miss Emily Daniela, aged 10 years old from Ecuador, spoke on behalf of the child participants. “We want a world that is full of love, and no more hate… We want to tell the distinguished authorities to pay close attention to everything that children say. Remember that this is not just a matter affecting the country’s children, but involves everyone… Let’s work together.”