NordenBladet – Three children die every minute as a result of avoidable environmental degradation, a sobering fact shared by Crown Princess Victoria during the third instalment of the Global Child Forum’s Action Lab series on Tuesday.

The virtual meeting, also attended by Queen Silvia, focused on the environment and the devastating impact it can have on children’s health and future wellbeing.

“Around the world, children’s rights are suffering a severe setback due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Crown Princess Victoria said in an introductory video for the event.

“At the same time, we are in a state of environmental emergency that is threatening children’s prospects for a healthy and prosperous future. Rising sea levels. Severe weather events. Drought, forest fires and flooding. Widespread pollution of air, water and soil. Exposure to toxic substances. Loss of biodiversity. All of these things put children at risk – for birth defects, failing health and child mortality. For conflict, poverty and child labour.”

In addition to the more than 1.7 million children under the age of five who die every year because of environmental degradation, Crown Princess Victoria pointed out how “millions more suffer consequences of climate change such as disease, disability, and other forms of harm.”

David Boyd, the current UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, also spoke during the Action Lab. Crown Princess Victoria shared how, “in 2018, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment recommended that businesses conduct environmental and human rights impact assessments, viewed through a children’s rights lens.”

Because of this, climate change was identified as “a global concern disproportionately affecting children, echoing a UN Human Rights Council resolution that recognized children as among the most vulnerable to climate change.”

The Global Child Forum was created by the Swedish Royal Family in 2009 and brings together leaders in business, government, academia, and civil society from around the world to bring change surrounding children’s rights. The Forum especially focuses on the power of businesses to advance children’s rights and the best practices they can carry out to make changes for children in their communities.

Featured image: Victor Ericsson/Kungl. Hovstaterna

NordenBladet – Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia visited their dukedom of Värmland on Wednesday to see how the county has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The couple posted about their visit on their personal Instagram account, writing, “What a day we had in Värmland today!”

They continued, “Everyone we visited has been affected by the pandemic in one way or another. And it’s not over yet; now we have to power up to counteract further spread and the consequences we see at all levels.”

The royal couple’s visit began with a meeting with healthcare professionals to hear how the pandemic has affected healthcare in the county. Carl Philip and Sofia heard from Tanja Ekegren, the County Administrative Board’s Chief of Staff, and Dr Ingemar Hallén, an infection control doctor with Region Värmland, about how their work has shifted in light of the pandemic and steps the medical community has taken to combat the coronavirus.

Carl Philip and Sofia then traveled to Central Hospital in Karlstad to see how the staff there has modified and prepared themselves to treat patients.

The couple shared on their Instagram account, “IVA Nurse Mia touched on her strong stories about how to never cease to constantly stop and show humanity towards all patients – even when it has been at its hardest.”

Next, the royal couple visited the Vikenkyrkan, where the parenting group ‘Outstanding Single’ meets. The couple described this single parenting group as one “where mothers and their children find community and support” and that “in times of isolation was also strong and uplifting.”

The Prince and Princess then visited Karlstad Innovation Park to meet with young entrepreneurs who have created a digital platform, Zimify, to curb loneliness in students. The couple also met with representatives from Ineq Solutions, who have created Buhobox, a “digital tool that will promote preventive work with student health in schools,” according to the Royal House.

The royal couple then travelled to the municipality of Sunne, with the first stop for lunch at Västra Ämtervik, where they dined at Kulinarika, a restaurant and vineyard. They heard how the pandemic has affected the company and food production and met with other representatives from the municipality.

The couple’s final stop was in Berättarladan, where they met with representatives from the Västanå Theatre. They learned how the pandemic has affected the arts community and were treated to a performance of ‘O, children of late times.’ They praised the Theatre as one with a “unique environment, creations and incredible performance.”

The Swedish Royal Family has made a plan to visit all of Sweden’s counties to see how citizens are dealing with the pandemic. Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia will next visit Dalarna – where Sofia grew up – on 19 November.

Featured image: Anna Lena Ahlstrom/Kungahuset.se