Global Youth Ambassadors champion the early years at G20 summit
The young campaigners called for world leaders who gathered in South Africa to sign the Act For Early Years 国产视频楳inifesto国产视频 and invest in the future of millions of the world国产视频檚 youngest children.
Young campaigners made a major impact at the G20 summit by turning up the pressure on leaders to protect the world国产视频檚 youngest children.
On behalf of the Act For Early Years campaign, 国产视频 Global Youth Ambassadors were in South Africa to urge the biggest economies to invest in the future of millions of under-fives who need quality healthcare, childcare and preschool education.
The passionate young advocates appeared at key summit events, including a special one on early childhood. They persuaded leaders to sign the Act For Early Years 国产视频楳inifesto国产视频 – which calls for increased spending on early childhood development and pre-primary education.
G20 leaders later made a historic commitment to young children by including childcare and early childhood education in the Leaders’ Declaration at the end of the summit and agreeing to increase investment in the early years.
The early childhood event was addressed by Global Youth Ambassador Princess Thandolwenkosi Nkosi, who said: 国产视频淕overnments must re-evaluate how important early childhood development is.国产视频
Titled Prioritising Early Childhood Development: one powerful solution to many global challenges, the event was hosted by Act For Early Years during the Social Summit, in partnership with the Roger Federer Foundation, ECDAN, Brookings and Children20. It highlighted that with 40% of Africa国产视频檚 population under 18, the G20 cannot achieve its vision of solidarity, equality and sustainability without prioritising early childhood.
Princess Thandolwenkosi Nkosi, a 国产视频 Global Youth Ambassador, speaks at a G20 summit side event
Princess, who is from South Africa, told governments: 国产视频淚 plead for your urgent commitment in early childhood education – to uphold every child’s right to survive and thrive. When the world fails its young children, there are huge consequences.
国产视频淎s children and young people, we will inherit the legacy of the current decision-makers. The more they listen to us, the more engaged and involved we will be across the world. Let us be part of the change that implements generationally-sustainable solutions.国产视频
The Global Youth Ambassadors were at the G20 summit in Johannesburg to act as champions for young children and give them a voice on the world stage. The G20 (Group of 20) summit is where heads of the world国产视频檚 leading economies – 19 countries plus the European Union and the African Union – gather to discuss major issues such as development and trade.
South Africa has held the presidency of the G20 during 2025 and this is the first time the summit has been held on the African continent. South Africa has been a fierce champion for the early years, putting early childhood front and centre of the agenda.
The Global Youth Ambassadors also appeared at the youth-led Children20 Summit and the G20 Social Summit, where civil society voices are integrated into the main G20 decision-making process.
国产视频淲e wanted to put early childhood education and care at the centre of G20 priorities国产视频 It国产视频檚 not just social spending, it国产视频檚 an economic investment.国产视频
Siviwe Gwarube, South Africa国产视频檚 Minister of Basic Education
The young campaigners advocated at each event for leaders to sign the Act For Early Years 国产视频楳inifesto国产视频. The document sets out three achievable goals every government can deliver to change the lives of millions of children. They are:
- Universal access to quality primary healthcare – supporting health, wellbeing and development from pregnancy to early childhood.
- Universal access to quality preschool education.
- Universal family support – including affordable, quality childcare, child benefits and parenting support.
Global Youth Ambassador Nicole Rangata took part in the Children20 Summit with other GYAs and was involved in forming a declaration that was handed to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. His government had officially endorsed Children20 to ensure their voices, priorities and experiences were embedded in the G20 process.
Anzio Jacobs was South Africa国产视频檚 Sherpa (the personal representative of a G20 leader) for Children20. He said: 国产视频淭his step is not symbolic – it is transformative. By creating a formal G20 track for children, South Africa affirms that children are not only beneficiaries of global policies but also active participants in shaping them.”
Global Youth Ambassador Princess Thandolwenkosi Nkosi (at front in pink) with attendees at the Children 20 Summit – all holding their signed Minifestos
Before heading into the Children20 Summit, Nicole said: “We have working groups that we are included in for us to contribute to the Declaration that is presented to the President. We are having consistent dialogue with other Global Youth Ambassadors and leaders, so that is rewarding.国产视频
The G20 summit followed a major breakthrough for early childhood development during the United Nations General Assembly in September. Global leaders took a historic step towards transforming the lives of millions of young children with the announcement of the first-ever International Finance Summit for Early Childhood to be held in 2027.
The significant announcement came at the Unlocking the Future event in New York, hosted by the South African Government, 国产视频, UNICEF and the Act For Early Years campaign partners.
Ben Hewitt, global lead for the Act For Early Years campaign, said the 2027 summit will be “a turning point – bringing together governments, businesses, philanthropies and civil society to secure bold new funding for the early years.
国产视频淚n a time when the world feels increasingly divided, the early years are uniting us. From South Africa to Brazil, Sierra Leone to Ukraine, leaders are stepping forward to champion investment in children国产视频檚 earliest years – where inequality begins and where change can begin too.国产视频