Webinar on Climate Change Impacts and Usage of Public Spaces by Young Children and Caregivers in Indian Cities

Insights and Actions for Climate Resilience and Inclusive Public Spaces

ICLEI South Asia is organising a webinar from 11 am to 12.30 pm (IST) on February 28, 2024, to disseminate invaluable insights garnered from two first-of-their-kind studies conducted in India on children’s use of public spaces and the impact of climate change on them and their caregivers. 

This follows a series of in-person workshops held across the country in which city officials, civil society organisations, academicians, architects and urban planners discussed the two studies and their findings.

A diverse group of participants, including municipal engineers, administrative officials, town planners, technical officers, and local government representatives, along with  women and children development professionals, young child specialists, climate experts, and urban development practitioners, will confer further in the webinar about the studies.

The session is designed to empower Indian cities with the knowledge and tools necessary to incorporate an early childhood development perspective into the planning and implementation of climate actions and public space initiatives, ensuring a sustainable and inclusive future for the youngest citizens and their caregivers.

ICLEI South Asia is at the forefront of pioneering research focused on the welfare of young children in urban settings, and it conducted the two significant studies with the support of the Van Leer Foundation (VLF). These studies, namely the “Study on the Impact of Climate Change on Young Children (0-5 years)” and the “Usage of Public Spaces by Young Children, Their Caregivers, and Pregnant Women in Indian Cities,” delved  into the profound effects of climate change on, and the accessibility and utility of public spaces for young children, their caregivers, and pregnant women. 

The studies assessed the direct impacts of environmental changes on the health and well-being of the youngest urban dwellers, as well as the accessibility and quality of critical urban infrastructure, including anganwadis and primary healthcare facilities.

Through partnerships with esteemed technical institutions and research organisations, these initiatives are meticulously reviewed and guided by a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) comprising experts dedicated to this vital domain.