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The 4th Annual Coastal Children’s Climate Conference, held on 27 & 28 April 2025 in Khulna City, brought together over 350 participants including more than 200 coastal children & communities from coastal upazilas of Bangladesh. This year’s conference is jointly organized by JJS and the Coastal Children’s Forum on Climate Change & DRR, with support from BMZ and Kindernothilfe (KNH)–Germany, the event provided a dynamic platform for empowering children to take leadership roles in climate action and disaster risk reduction. The conference focused on strengthening child participation, enhancing awareness, and bridging the gap between lived experiences and climate governance through capacity building, creativity, and community engagement.
The day 28 April 2025 began with a vibrant climate and disaster fair, where children showcased innovative models and ideas addressing climate and environmental issues. Their exhibits featured solutions such as eco-friendly housing, solar-powered technologies, and plastic reduction strategies, reflecting their growing understanding of climate challenges and their ability to innovate. This early engagement set the tone for a conference centered around action, learning, and leadership.
The conference was formally inaugurated by child leaders from the Coastal Children’s Forum on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction (CCFCD), who confidently presented their concerns and ideas for urgent climate action. Their opening remarks highlighted the disproportionate burden climate change places on children in coastal regions, especially regarding water scarcity, salinity intrusion, displacement, food insecurity, and health impacts. They demanded recognition, inclusion in decision-making processes, and support for child-led initiatives. Their messages were backed by passionate speeches from dignitaries and experts who emphasized the importance of children’s voices in the climate movement.
ATM Zakir Hossain, Executive Director of JJS and Conference Coordinator, delivered a powerful welcome address outlining JJS’s journey from grassroots activism to national advocacy. He underscored the urgency of climate justice and the need for inclusive, community-led adaptation strategies. Dr. Md. Nazmus Sadath from Khulna University, in his keynote, emphasized the potential of Generation Z to develop locally rooted and technologically informed solutions. Qausar Hossain, Head of the UNICEF Field Office in Khulna, praised the confidence and clarity of the child participants and reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to child-centered development. Other notable speakers, including Faruk Wasif, Director General of the Press Institute of Bangladesh, and Abu Sayed Mohammad Monjur Alam, Additional Divisional Commissioner of Khulna, recognized the resilience of coastal communities and the growing leadership among children. One of the key guests, Professor Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim, the Honorable Vice Chancellor of Khulna University, gave an inspiring address emphasizing that climate change does not affect everyone equally. He highlighted that vulnerable groups especially women and children suffer the most from climate-related disasters. Stressing the need for rapid response, he said, “The faster we can respond after a disaster, the more quickly we can support recovery. That’s why strong, forward-thinking planning is not just important it’s essential.” Dr. Karim also proudly announced the upcoming launch of Khulna University’s new campus in Paikgacha, a coastal and disaster-prone area, reinforcing the university’s commitment to expanding education in vulnerable regions. He commended young climate leaders like Mugdha and Abu Sayeed for their outstanding leadership and reminded all participants that protecting nature is essential to safeguarding the future of children. Professor Dr. Md. Zakir Hossain, Head of the Urban and Rural Planning Discipline at Khulna University, spoke passionately about the negative impacts of unplanned urbanization on climate resilience. He pointed out how rapid and uncontrolled city growth increases risks for climate-vulnerable populations particularly slum dwellers, climate migrants, women, and children. He emphasized that these communities often lack safe housing, hygienic sanitation, and proper infrastructure. “These conditions are not only unhygienic but also unsafe, especially for women and children,” he warned, advocating for sustainable urban policies and child-sensitive planning.
On 27 April 2025, the first session featured an art competition where children visually expressed their experiences with climate-induced challenges such as flooding, water scarcity, and salinity. Their artwork served not only as creative storytelling but also as a compelling advocacy tool to raise awareness and communicate personal narratives of resilience. The second session, a capacity building seminar for children and youth leaders, was led by experts including Shamim Arefin, Executive Director of AOSED, and Dr. Md. Golam Rabbani, Head of the Climate Bridge Fund Secretariat. Shamim Arefin highlighted how climate change is affecting coastal areas globally, especially through loss and damage that displaces communities. He provided an overview of international climate negotiations, including the role of COP, and emphasized the growing space for youth engagement within these forums. He encouraged Bangladeshi youth to participate in COP, share their lived experiences of displacement, and represent the country’s climate challenges. Dr. Rabbani introduced participants to global climate frameworks and the science behind climate change, referencing IPCC findings and the importance of youth engagement through global networks like YOUNGO. Both speakers emphasized the shift from tokenistic participation to meaningful inclusion in national and international climate forums. ATM Zakir Hossain concluded this session by stressing that child leadership is not a distant aspiration but an urgent need, especially in climate-affected regions like coastal Bangladesh.
The third session, a workshop on child participation and leadership in climate actions and the SDGs, linked local experiences with global goals. Journalist Gouranga Nandi emphasized the importance of environmental education and critical thinking to help children connect their community struggles with broader climate justice narratives. MM Chishty, Senior Director of Programs at JJS, highlighted gaps in disaster management policies and called for institutional mechanisms to involve children in early warning systems, preparedness, and resilience building. The fourth session, a workshop on climate change and disaster risk reduction (DRR) awareness and advocacy, took a more practical approach. Disaster expert Gawher Nayeem Wahra stressed the importance of localizing preparedness strategies such as using local languages for early warnings and schools as emergency shelters while addressing socio-cultural barriers to evacuation. His message to children was to learn, speak up, and act with empathy and logic. Tarek Bin Wahid, Advocacy Officer at JJS’s SCVL Project, urged youth to lead climate action at home and in their communities, emphasizing peer-driven change. Md. Sohel Rana, M&D Officer of the same project, concluded the session by reimagining children as active responders during disasters, capable of managing shelters and making real-time decisions with the right training and support.
On 28 April, the second day of the conference, in the seminar 1 children and experts came together to spotlight how climate change is threatening the rights and well-being of children in Bangladesh’s coastal areas. Children from disaster-prone upazilas shared firsthand accounts of the impacts of cyclones, floods, and salinity intrusion on their daily lives especially in the form of disrupted education, forced migration, child labor, early marriage, and health issues. These lived experiences revealed that children are among the most affected groups in climate-vulnerable regions. Experts noted that although legal frameworks such as the Children Act 2013 exist, enforcement remains weak, leaving children unprotected in emergencies. The seminar 2 highlighted the urgent need for climate-resilient infrastructure like flood-proof schools, child-friendly shelters, clean water, and healthcare systems in vulnerable communities. Emphasis was placed on making urban and rural planning inclusive of children’s voices and ensuring their active participation in decision-making at all levels from family preparedness to national climate strategies. Key discussions addressed the need to integrate climate education into school curricula and strengthen child protection systems before and after disasters. Representatives from government, civil society, and development organizations stressed that children are not just passive victims of climate change but powerful agents of change. The conference featured speeches by children and youth that reflected this active role. Md. Mostafizur Rahman described climate change as a social and moral issue and encouraged children to engage through science, innovation, and leadership, citing global examples and the UNESCO YouCAN project. Young speaker Sahara Rahaman stressed personal responsibility and the need to overcome negligence and formality through innovative awareness strategies, including digital content and grassroots actions. Plazi Bairagi emphasized renewable energy, reducing single-use plastics, and promoting eco-friendly practices led by children. Journalist H.M. Alauddin shared rural stories and grassroots innovations, urging self-reliance and recycling to protect the environment. Shaikh Ashrafuzzaman suggested youth debates to foster critical thinking and leadership. Abu Hena Mostafa Zamal highlighted the media’s vital role in amplifying youth voices and called for their global representation. Chayan Mridha from the Coastal Children’s Forum shared practical child-led solutions like school gardens, courtyard meetings, and the 3Rs.
Seminar 3 on the second day focused on ensuring the continuation of children’s education during climate-induced emergencies in the coastal southwest. Moderated by MM Chisty of JJS, the session featured powerful testimonies from young speakers Al Islam, Humayra Akter, and Prodipta Rani Paik. Al Islam explained how disasters lead to school dropouts and child labor, calling for cyclone shelters that support ongoing education. Humayra described how recurring emergencies turn schools into shelters, triggering trauma, child marriage, and fear. She stressed the need for designated educational shelters and post-disaster counseling. Dr. Md. Manjur Morshed of KUET addressed the structural challenges, such as salinity and infrastructure damage, which delay school resumption. He referenced cyclones Sidr
and Aila and emphasized that rebuilding education infrastructure is as critical as rebuilding homes. During the interactive session, children and experts explored ways to prioritize uninterrupted education and mental health support. As Humayra affirmed, “Education must never pause even in the face of a cyclone.” Seminar 4 was about climate-induced migration and urban vulnerability. Child representatives Tanzila Akhtar Mukti and Mirazul Islam Shihab described how disasters force poor families into unsafe urban slums, where children face malnutrition, health risks, and education loss. Shihab called for disaster preparedness, health education, and international cooperation to protect the rights of migrant children. Dr. Anjum Tasnuva shared emotional stories of displaced children like Rima and emphasized the need for humane, inclusive urban planning. Architect Rezbina Khanam called for ward-level services and sustainable urban support systems. Journalist Mamun Reza highlighted the lack of disaster data and planning for displaced populations, while IRV’s Kazi Javed Khalid Pasha demanded resettlement policies, land allocation, and rehabilitation funds. Child speaker Disha Majumdar urged the creation of legal frameworks that guarantee participatory, safe urban environments for children. Dr. Md. Golam Rabbani reiterated Bangladesh’s vulnerability and called for basic services, social protection, and child-centered climate finance, noting BRAC’s efforts and the significant funding gap.
Seminar 5, titled “Our Struggles, Our Solutions,” featured direct testimonies and policy suggestions from children most affected by climate change. This session was specifically organized for coastal children, with coastal children themselves taking on the roles of presenters, key discussants, chairperson, and moderator. They led the entire session, sharing their challenges and potential solutions directly with the attending stakeholders. Moderated by Sunanda Adhikary and chaired by Rakibul Islam Nayan, the session highlighted voices like Munira, Morium, Tyeba, Nowshin, Sneha, and Urmi. They demanded safe drinking water, resilient schools, better shelter conditions, and meaningful inclusion in climate decision-making. Their stories, filled with personal losses and hope, emphasized mental health, educational continuity, environmental justice, and economic hardship. Rather than mere complaints, their messages were urgent calls for action to institutionalize children’s voices and recognize them as vital agents in building a just, resilient future.
Throughout the conference, child leaders were not passive participants but active facilitators, organizers, and speakers. Their engagement demonstrated a well-structured model of inclusive climate governance, where children are empowered with knowledge and platforms to contribute meaningfully to climate resilience. Their testimonies and ideas bridged the scientific and policy-oriented dimensions of climate change with lived experience, demonstrating the value of participatory, bottom-up approaches. The final segment of the conference was an emotionally resonant cultural presentation. A drama performed by the children portrayed the real-life issues they face in cyclone shelters such as overcrowding, inadequate sanitation, and a lack of child-friendly spaces. The performance was both critical and constructive, offering design and policy recommendations for safer and more inclusive shelter environments. It reinforced the idea that children are capable of identifying problems and proposing realistic, actionable solutions.
Children presented a formal set of demands and declarations, calling for the construction of child-friendly cyclone shelters that ensure safety, dignity, and mental well-being during disasters. They emphasized the need for greater child representation in climate decision-making and investment in youth leadership. These declarations reflect a collective vision for a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future. The conference concluded on a hopeful and determined note, reinforced by the insights of key guests. Md. Moinul Haque, Assistant Director of the Divisional Environment Office, stressed the urgency of climate adaptation and mitigation aligned with Bangladesh’s socio-economic realities. He called for reduced carbon emissions, green energy, and climate education for children. Henry Hebol Roy, Program Coordinator of KNH-Bangladesh, expressed joy at the children’s involvement. He supported their demands and expressed hope that five Bangladeshi children could attend the next COP in Brazil, with KNH exploring ways to fund their participation. Bidhan Kumar Mondol, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Khulna, highlighted Bangladesh’s vulnerability to climate impacts and praised the role of NGOs. He welcomed the conference’s effort to build youth leadership and advocated for climate justice and compensation for affected children. The Chief Guest, Laskar Tazul Islam, CEO of Khulna City Corporation, addressed the challenges of internal climate migration. As families move from coastal areas to Khulna, city infrastructure is under strain especially affecting children’s health, education, and mental development. He called for more cyclone shelters, disaster preparedness, and awareness of children’s rights. ATM Zakir Hossain, Conference Coordinator and Founder of JJS, marked the organization’s 40th anniversary and emphasized the importance of child inclusion. “Children under 18 make up 40% of Bangladesh’s population. Excluding them from decision-making means excluding nearly half our people.” He affirmed that children are not only the future but also leaders today, and urged them to continue their advocacy in schools, families, and communities.
The 4th Annual Coastal Children’s Climate Conference 2025 successfully transitioned from mere participation to empowerment, showing that children are not just the most vulnerable to climate change, but also its most passionate, articulate, and capable defenders. The conference demonstrated a powerful model of inclusive climate governance one in which children are informed, engaged, and entrusted with shaping a sustainable and resilient future. It sent a clear and urgent message to policymakers, practitioners, and communities: Children are not just the future, they are the present, and their time to lead is now.
Demands of Coastal Children to Government Authorities and NGOs Coastal Children’s Forum on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction
