CLEAN AIR IS EVERY CHILD’S RIGHT: Empowering the Child Leadership Team on Climate Justice

17 September 2026 

On September 17, members of the Child Leadership Team (CLT) gathered at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek for an interactive training session titled “CLEAN AIR IS EVERY CHILD’S RIGHT: ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES IN THE CITIES OF CENTRAL ASIA.”

The workshop was organized under the umbrella of the broader Children’s Rights Project implemented by Global Campus Central Asia. In a powerful display of intergenerational learning, master’s students from the current MAHRS 2026-2027 cohort designed and led the sessions, passing on their academic expertise to the next generation of advocates.

Key Topics Explored by the Young Leaders:

• • The Essentials: Understanding what air is and why protecting its quality is fundamental to human survival.

• • The Challenges: Identifying the primary sources of urban air pollution and learning how environmental authorities measure regional pollution levels.

• • The Consequences: Analyzing the direct, disproportionate impacts of toxic air on children’s health, education, and long-term development.

Learning Through Interaction
The training moved beyond traditional lectures, using an interactive format packed with team-building games and dynamic energizers. Equipped with basic research tools, the CLT members analyzed local data sources, mapping out the direct link between environmental degradation and children’s fundamental rights, and drawing their own evidence-based conclusions. The session culminated in group presentations where these inspiring teenagers pitched their findings and solutions.

By giving youth the tools to research and address climate justice, we lay the foundation for a sustainable, child-friendly future across Central Asia.