Children of India Launch their Post-2030 Global Goals
- Vaishnavi Verma
- Dec 2
- 6 min read
New Delhi, 20 November, 2025: In a moment that may well redefine the future of global governance, PRATYeK hosted the world’s first-ever INclusive United Nations (IN-U.N.), culminating on World Children’s Day. In an unprecedented act of leadership, children unveiled the world’s first draft of the Global Goals beyond 2030, before even the United Nations itself.
This extraordinary milestone unfolded in the presence of Ms. Cynthia McCaffrey, UNICEF Representative to India, accompanied by senior leaders from UNICEF’s Communication, Advocacy, and Partnerships division. The Ambassador from the Embassy of Palestine also attended, underscoring the international resonance of this bold child-led initiative.
Modelling a new era of child-led local to global governance, the IN-U.N. stands as the first platform in the world where child-citizens of different ‘vari-abilities’— including those from marginalised, vulnerable and challenged situations along with their peers from privileged backgrounds, used real UN mechanisms such as UPR, CRC, COP, VNRs, and parliamentary processes. Far removed from traditional MUN simulations, this IN-U.N. was rights-based, multilingual, inclusive, and born from children’s lived experiences.
This year’s event reached a national scale, bringing together children from almost 28 States and Union Territories — from Arunachal Pradesh to Maharashtra and Kashmir to Andaman & Nicobar Islands, — creating one of the most diverse and representative child-led gatherings in India. More than 3000 children nationwide contributed (online and on-site) to broader IN-U.N. activities, shaping recommendations grounded in reality, urgency, and hope.
The culmination event opened with a powerful display of unity as child-delegates walked into the limelight while the global anthem “Leave No One Behind” played in the background. Moments later, the newly elected ministers made their entry to the spirited “Vote for Me” anthem, an anthem created entirely by the children themselves as their manifesto for national and state elections as well as their own National (and neighbourhood) Inclusive Children’s Parliaments. (N.I.C.P.)
The formal proceedings began with the swearing-in ceremony, administered by Justice Kurian Joseph (Retd.) who then addressed the gathering with a message that resonated deeply across the gathering. “Children are not the future, they are the present,” he said, reminding everyone that fraternity stands even before unity and integrity in the Constitution, and that child-led spaces like these uphold the dignity of every individual.
This was followed by the first national address by the new Child Prime Minister, Anukalp Tamang from Anugalaya organization, Sikkim who spoke with conviction and warmth. Tamang said, “I may be the Prime Minister, but today I speak as the voice of each one of you. Real change does not come from one leader, it comes from all of us. Bharat ka vikas tabhi hoga jab ek bhi bachcha peeche na chhootey.” (India will experience real development only when no child is left behind.)
A series of audio-visual presentations captured the journey so far: the Children’s Parliament success stories, the Children’s Manifesto video, and an appeal film calling for a dedicated space for child-led governance in India. The hall then witnessed a celebratory moment with the release of the Circus Art Anthem, a creative symbol of children’s joy and expression. Children from challenged situations juggled balls and rode on unicycles and performed other circus tricks to claim their voice at real-world negotiation platforms.
This set the stage for the formal introduction of the IN-U.N., with the introduction and address by the General Secretary, Anjali, from Delhi, the first girl to hold this post, ably assisted by her deputy, Ms. Harshika, from Mumbai. The children set a new precedent for even the UN to follow since the latter has not as yet seen a female Secretary General.
With confidence, Ms Anjali shared the deeper mission of the platform: “We are reversing the old process. This time, children begin the journey before adults. Each one involved; everyone evolved—that is our call for a world that grows together.” She emphasised that the platform is inclusive of all members of the earth community and appealed for a rights-based, mandatory periodic, self-appraisal by member states with a peers-based and civil-society engaged review system, inspired by yet out shining the current the UN UPR (Universal Periodic Review) practices.
The session came alive as child-delegates made formal one-minute submissions while using comic strips and creative formats to interact directly with international dignitaries at their tables. The child delegates then released the first draft report for the Global Goals Beyond 2030, marking the first time children if not people anywhere in the world have initiated a formal post 2030 Global Goals framework before the UN. The children asserted that the next era of global progress must be defined not by sustainability alone, but by true inclusion, of people, of the Earth, and of every member of the earth community while treating each with dignity.
The session came alive as child-delegates made formal one-minute submissions while using comic strips and creative formats to interact directly with international dignitaries at their tables. The child delegates then released the first draft report for the Global Goals Beyond 2030, marking the first time children if not people anywhere in the world have initiated a formal post 2030 Global Goals framework before the UN. The children asserted that the next era of global progress must be defined not by sustainability alone, but by true inclusion, of people, of the Earth, and of every member of the earth community while treating each with dignity.
They insisted that the new goals be called the Inclusive Development Goals (INDGs), boldly stating that sustainability means nothing if any member of the larger earth community is excluded and does not experience the empowering effect of evolution which could range from reducing to increasing one’s carbon footprint so that all evolve to each ones best version of their ultimate potential. As they released the first draft of the IN.D.Gs, they acknowledged that while the age of the SDGs is slowly edging to completion, a new chapter under the banner of genuine inclusion, deep connection and tangible rights must begin. The young kidizens (child-citizens) invited people and children everywhere to send their feedback (on 9990999640), urging the world to help shape this historic shift toward an era where everyone and everything is seen, valued, and included.
A deeply emotional moment followed as children with hearing disabilities led an Appeal, with real-time interpretation. They passionately called for the inclusion of Sign Language as an official language of India and that it be made a mandatory language taught and ‘spoken’ in all schools. The event then moved to its closing phases with the keynote address by UNICEF India Chief Cynthia McCaffrey, who praised the children’s leadership. Ms McCaffrey said “We at UNICEF are here for you, to celebrate you on this World Children’s Day. Your leadership is not only inspiring—it is historic.”
Vibrant regional dances, photo opportunities, and warm interactions brought colour to the final segment. At last, the IN-U.N. welcomed the moment everyone had waited for—the introduction and unfurling of the Inclusive Development Goals (IN.D.G.) banner by the event’s chief-organiser, Ms Swarnalaxmi Ravi who incidentally was the first child Prime Minister of the N.I.C.P. and is a person living with complete visual impairment.
The Vision and Identity leader cum founder of PRATYeK, Steve Rocha captured the emotion of the day in his closing reflection. He said, “From being mere recipients of the UN SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) these young citizens of India (and of Global South) have claimed their rightful place in the post 2030 consultations. Their proposal to name the new goals INclusive Development Goals is prophetic with their conscious emphasis on all members (both so called of the earth community (both animate and so called inanimate). Their motto ‘each one involved, everyone evolved’ exemplifies the innate power, vision and wisdom of child-citizens in tune with the rhythm of their Mother Earth ”.
Releasing the preamble of the IN-D.Gs a team of 5 students representing diverse regions, cultures, faiths, sexual orientations, languages, dis/abilities and communities sought a global framework on development, sustainability, climate action, equity, peace and human rights, including earth rights based on a strong a spirituality of cooperation, connections, mutual aid and oneness The IN-U.N.’s message which contrasted traditional M.U.Ns (Model United Nations) rose clearly above all else: “Engaging today, Changing tomorrow.”
Thank you, PRATYeK, for inviting us and for allowing us to witness the change and momentum you have created together. We look forward to carrying this work forward with the same commitment and energy.
About PRATYeK
PRATYeK’s vision is “Every Child, For Every Right, For Everyone.”
The organization was founded by Mr. Steve Rocha, who now serves as PRATYeK’s Vision and Identity Leader.
Since 2013, PRATYeK has built pioneering child-led advocacy platforms that enable children to engage with governance structures, assert their rights, and create a just, participatory, and sustainable earth community.
The IN-U.N. is its flagship global innovation—redefining what child participation can and should look like.
For Media Queries
Swarnalakshmi
Global Program Coordinator, PRATYeK
📞 +91-7598271999 / +91-9342636814
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