First Lady Fazna Ahmed on Thursday afternoon participated in the high-level virtual panel discussion "We, the people and our planet: Healthy, resilient, Sustainable", to commemorate this year’s World Health Day organised by World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for South East Asia. The First Lady was the Chief Guest at the discussion and she was joined by several high-level speakers representing different countries and organisations.

The First Lady highlighted a global survey of children and young people on the climate problem and noted that a significant majority of the young people surveyed believed that rapid climate action might help mitigate some of the most catastrophic effects of the situation. She said that, as an educator, she considered it valuable to listen to young people, their ideas, recommendations, and fears, as well as to validate their distress about issues that affected their lives.

First Lady Fazna added that the survey discovered a knowledge gap between different economic classes about what a climate crisis entailed. She stated that schools were amongst the best ways to bridge this knowledge gap.

“My time as a former principal at Thaajudheen School has allowed me to make many observations and taught me many things about children. Which is why I am emboldened with the belief that children and young people possess enough knowledge to articulate their opinions and frame their perspectives of the world, to meaningfully contribute to the process of decision-making" she stated.

The First Lady noted that, while the study showed that young people were concerned about the climate crisis, they were also optimistic and wanted to contribute more to the cause.

The First Lady, in her remarks, underscored the importance of giving children and young people a platform to express their views on issues such as gender equality, the environment, and climate action as their future would be affected by decisions that are currently being made. She said that the ambition of the youth was far greater and that they were capable of becoming agents of great change, if given the opportunity.

"To the children and young people, I want to say that I hear them. Witnessing the world through a child’s eye is often a privilege, adults take for granted. As adults, we need to listen more actively. We need to do better for our health and our planet and gain the trust of the children who feel we are not doing enough. " First Lady stated.

In a message to policymakers, she stated that all research clearly indicated how much children were thinking about these global challenges, and that long-term planning and implementation were essential to ensure the future of all generations while reducing the burden on children. At the discussion, the First Lady also highlighted the fact that initiatives that began in Maldivian schools, such as the reduction of single-use plastic in schools, had moved beyond the classroom and into national policy.

First Lady Fazna also discussed ways to strengthen women's voices, engagement and leadership at all levels of climate action and advocacy. She stated that discussions that take place with women adequately represented at policy tables were more reflective and of our society and led to more sustainable policy solutions.

The theme for World Health Day 2022 is ‘Our Planet, Our Health’. World Health Day is celebrated every year on 7 April to commemorate the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1948.