80 children from 50 different nationalities, including three Thai children, met in Billund, Denmark, known as the Capital of Children, for the Children’s General Assembly Summit 2023.
During the three-day Assembly, now in its third year, 80 children aged 10-17 from diverse nationalities gathered in Billund, and had a chance to co-create, learn through play, and meet with inspiring examples such as the mayor of Billund, Stephanie Storbank, who welcomed the young participants to her office and shared Billund Municipality’s aim to create a town designed for and by children.
The Assembly concluded with a live show on September 21, attended by all participants, their families, local children, well-known figures such as former President of the United Nations General Assembly Mogens Lykketoft, ambassadors from the participants’ respective countries, including Her Excellency Sirilak Niyom, Ambassador of Thailand to Denmark.
What makes this year’s live show special is the use of new technology to create a unique digital avatar named Uni, an amalgamation of 80 faces and voices of children and youth. Uni played the significant role of reading out the manifesto which came from the participants’ ideas through a series of workshops done over a period of six months leading up to the Assembly.
"AI and new technology are often topics of discussion, particularly concerning their impact on child development. Yet now, the world's children are seizing technology for themselves to amplify the articulation of their voice on global issues and the shape of a better future they believe in,” said Charlotte Sahl-Madsen, Secretary General, Children’s General Assembly.