Welcome to the full Episode 4 of Sustainability Karma, India’s first and only talk show on sustainability on All India Radio.

In this episode of Sustainability Karma, Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi talks about the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion, his apprehensions about the progress in achieving SDGs indicators related to children and how youth power can be used to pursue climate action.

Mr Satyarthi says that he firmly believes that the essence of all social transformation movements and religions lies in compassion. Compassion goes beyond sympathy or empathy. Sympathy involves acknowledging the problems of others and expressing solidarity briefly. On the other hand, empathy, while deeper, can lead to emotional fatigue or a sense of helplessness as individuals grapple with the constant awareness of others’ suffering. The innermost circle is compassion, where one not only feels the suffering of others but is driven to take action to end that suffering.

The Nobel Laureate adds that, in the current era of globalised markets, economies, data, knowledge, and information, it is essential to globalise compassion. While globalisation has brought both benefits and challenges, including environmental challenges and societal disparities, there is a need to extend compassion on a global scale. The movement aims to build compassionate communities, politics, medical profession, education, agriculture, and the corporate sector to address the collective well-being of people and the planet.

Mr Satyarthi also proposes a compassionate approach to help children realise their full potential. He identifies creating child-friendly environments, implementing child-friendly policies, and fostering compassionate relationships with children as crucial steps. The emphasis is on treating children as friends, respecting them, and providing a supportive environment where they can share their concerns and issues without fear.

In terms of advancing child rights, the Nobel Laureate urges companies to ensure that no child labour or forced labour is involved in their supply chains. Advocating for compassionate corporate leadership, he stresses that where companies prioritize the well-being of children and the planet in their production and supply processes.

On the topic of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mr Satyarthi acknowledges that progress has been lacking, especially concerning children-related SDGs. Despite being the UN Secretary General’s Advocate on SDGs, he admits that significant strides are yet to be made. The key to accelerating achievement lies in investing in children, with a specific focus on education, healthcare, and protection. A global social protection mechanism is proposed to ensure swift and direct benefits for marginalised children in low-income countries. Saying that climate change is a pressing issue, he adds that the role of children in climate action is important. Children should be encouraged to adopt responsible consumption habits, conserve resources like water, and actively participate in environmental initiatives, such as tree plantation. Children can lead the way in saving the planet, emphasises the Nobel Laureate.