Part 1 of the History of Youth participation in the process of environment and health policymaking

"Our health cannot be negotiated. It is a precondition of our personal development and happiness. Nobody should make money on the back of other people's ill health. We need and deserve a fundamental human right to a clean and healthy environment. We also need access to information and education to most effectively take care of our health."

Budapest Youth Declaration, 24 June 2004

Youth Declaration was presented by young people to the ministers from 53 Member States, calling for youth representation on the European Environment and Health Committee (EEHC) and on the Task Force for the Children's Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe (CEHAPE) during the Fourth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health in Budapest in 2004. Youth Parliament and 30 official youth representatives from Member States were participated at this huge event.

You can download the Youth Declaration in English, in French, in German, in Russian.



I was personally involved as youth participant at the 4th Ministerial Conferene in Budapest. I was participated in the video project It’s our world, our future too. This seven-minute video produced in 2004 contains the voices of young people from Russia, UK and Belgium - and explains why listening to them is important. The children and students describe how the environment is affecting their health, and what they think can be done for a better future. Three themes are highlighted: urban environment and mental health; water, chemicals and air quality; and, other issues, such as racism, drugs and violence.

To watch the video "It's our world, our future too" click here