Children as Agents of Adaptation

Educational Philosophy

“We are hurtling towards a future where the gains being made for the world’s children are threatened and their health, well being, livelihoods and survival are compromised … despite being the least responsible for the causes. We need to listen to them.”  —David Bull, UNICEF’s UK executive director.

While children, particularly those living in poverty in the developing world, are most vulnerable to the impacts of extreme weather and climate change, their innate resilience and eagerness to learn are an untapped resource in most adaptation efforts.

Successful learning occurs when children are active participants in real life experiential activities, activities that are relevant to and have a direct impact on their experience. Teaching children critical thinking skills to apply in solving relevant problems is intrinsically motivating.

Because Disaster Risk Reduction is the most effective method of curtailing the impacts of climate change, community based interventions which involve the kids of 2050 are integral to successful adaptation on a local and global scale.

2050Kids addresses this complex global challenge with two overarching goals:

• To enable communities to survive and adapt to a changing world
• To enable communities to achieve sustainability and mitigate the affects of climate change for future generations

We achieve these goals by leveraging the latest environmental and scientific research, evidence-based learning theories, and local knowledge to collaboratively design education and action programs, which engage local children and community members in achieving resilient solutions to their most crucial problems.