Climate change and environmental protection are the main topics of this year’s World Forum for Democracy held in Strasbourg entitled “Can Democracy Save the Environment”, at which the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković, spoke about the role of the young and the oldest citizens, in the first place concerning intergenerational justice, solidarity and the need for better understanding.
The Commissioner pointed out the importance of work on increasing the participation of young people in the decision-making process, as well as on raising awareness of the importance of environmental protection, stating that the institution of the Commissioner sent last year a recommendation to all local self-government units to do everything possible to increase the percentage of young people at decision-making positions. The recommendation is already yielding results, as there are more and more young people in various institutions who are actively involved in decision-making. However, their activism must go hand in hand with respect for the importance of intergenerational solidarity and the position of the elderly. The consequences of climate change affect the elderly to a greater extent, according to a study by the UN Human Rights Council, as well as data from more developed countries. The Commissioner pointed out that all this indicates that the solution should be sought in intergenerational solidarity and joint action.
There is no doubt that in the field of environmental protection, the elderly could make a great contribution with their knowledge and experience, the commissioner concluded, adding that climate change and environmental protection are issues of vital importance for the survival of the whole society. The role of the elderly, this topic included, was discussed in the Special Report on Discrimination against the Elderly, which the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality presented this year in the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia.