Message to the 24th World Scout JamboreeVideo statement by Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

22 July 2019

I am pleased to have this opportunity to talk to the more than 50000 Scouts from around 160 countries, who are participating in the World Scout Jamboree.

I congratulate all of you for working together to achieve positive change in your communities and around the world.

I have been tremendously impressed by the commitment and vision of young people like 16 year old Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate activist, and 16 year-old Nayeli Quiroz, from Ecuador, who demanded that young people be empowered to participate in decisions that directly affect them.

This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child – an agreement by governments across the world to protect the rights of all children to be free from discrimination, violence and neglect.

I want to encourage all of you to help us make these commitments become real policies.

Thank you for your insight, your foresight and your work. And remember -- we all have a right to dignity, equality, justice and fundamental freedoms.