Seven-year-old Moksha Roy was awarded the prestigious Points of Light accolade by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, acknowledging her extraordinary dedication to sustainability. UK's Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden, heartily commended Moksha's relentless advocacy for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) on 13 July.
Moksha's journey as the world's youngest sustainability advocate commenced at the tender age of three when she bravely took on the fight against microplastic pollution.
At the age of three Moksha started campaigning against microplastic pollution, that was supported by the UN task force and the Archbishop of Canterbury. At the age of five, she wrote letters to all 193 world leaders, urging them to integrate the UN SDGs into national curriculums.
President Paula-Mae Weekes of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago praised Moksha's efforts, drawing comparisons to illustrious champions like Malala and Greta: "Like Moksha, Malala and Greta, we all have a role to play in safeguarding the future and sustainability of our world."
Recognising the significance of Moksha's plea, the UK government incorporated her request into the Department for Education’s Sustainability and Climate Change strategy, positively impacting over 16 million children and young people across the nation.
UK’s Deputy Prime Minister, The Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE, expressed his admiration for Moksha's work:
'Moksha has set an excellent example in her work championing UN SDGs. She has gone to significant lengths to have these included in the school curriculum and has been in communication with leaders all over the world to encourage them to consider this. She feels strongly that education and individual action are crucial for fighting climate change, and her passion should serve as an inspiration to others.'
Far beyond the borders of the UK, Moksha continues to inspire millions of children worldwide through radio, press, and online platforms, empowering them to embrace sustainability.
Her dedication to various sustainability campaigns, such as raising funds for UNICEF by foregoing birthday gifts and educating over a billion children and families about microplastic pollution, showcases her commitment to sparking change.
Moksha participates in educational sessions for underprivileged children worldwide conducted by the Centre for Big Synergy, a United Nations CSO. Her influential messages have reached prominent events, including at COP27, where world leaders and global citizens gathered.
As the 2086th recipient of the British Prime Minister’s Points of Light award, established in 2014 to celebrate community change-makers, Moksha is a testament to youthful determination's power.
When asked about her advocacy, Moksha humbly remarked,
'I am very happy to receive the Points of Light award. I hope both children and adults get to understand that caring for the planet and its people and making small changes to everyday life should not be just for a few. It is just like brushing our teeth. We brush our teeth to care for it and avoid pain; similarly, we can take care of the planet, not for anyone else, but just us, to be safe. Each and every one of us can do small things in their own lives, work, and community to combat the big challenges such as climate change, pollution, poverty, and inequality. It is only when everyone starts taking positive actions we can have a safer planet and a sustainable future.'
Her parents, Dr Ragini G Roy and Dr Sourav Roy expressed their pride, stating, "What Moksha is doing shows us that even the youngest in society has as important a role in creating a tangible impact when it comes to acting on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We support her efforts in creating a fair, safe, and sustainable world for everyone."
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