“On International Youth Day (12 August), recalling the Council of Europe Reykjavík Declaration on the need to protect our environment, I call on our member states to ensure young people are given every opportunity to enjoy their human rights and to live a life in dignity by creating new green jobs, investing in sustainable industries, and providing training and education opportunities to participate in the green economy.
“Climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution are challenges intertwined with human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
“A green transition towards an environmentally sustainable and climate-friendly world is imperative and must be just.
It is time to rethink education curricula and training frameworks, so that young people can act as agents of positive change contributing to societies’ move towards sustainable development”.