Who We Are

Children of the Earth: Vision & Mission for Global Youth Empowerment

We affirm that we are spiritual beings having a human experience, committed to birthing higher consciousness and co-creating a world that works for all.

Our Vision

Our Vision

A sustainable world in which self-empowered youth flourish and creatively develop their communities for the common good — recognising the unity of all life.

Our Mission

We create environments — in-person and digital — where youth discover their unique contribution, develop inner strength, and turn personal growth into collective action for a just, thriving future.

35 Years of Youth-Led Social Change

35 Years of Youth-Led Social Change

1990

The Beginning

Children of the Earth founded with a vision of youth-led global change.

1995

Going Global

Expanded to 15 countries, creating international youth chapters.

2005

UN Recognition

Received special consultative status with the United Nations ECOSOC.

2025

New Era

Launching the digital-first movement to connect youth worldwide.

The People Safeguarding Children of the Earth

Board of Directors

Nina Meyerhof
President
LinkedIn
Stamoulis Manginas
Chairman of the Board of Directors
LinkedIn
Patrick McCollum
Director
Wikipedia
Samuel Jacobs-Abbey
Vice-President
LinkedIn
Princess Ukaga
Secretary
Hinda Miller
Member
LinkedIn
Margret Rueffler
Member
LinkedIn
Nikolaos Kouboulis
Member
Mark Perkell
Member
LinkedIn
Shaivi Gurujaj
Member
LinkedIn

Common questions

Questions & answers.

What is Children of the Earth?

Children of the Earth is a youth-led movement, founded in 1990, that helps young people in more than 30 countries reflect, connect, and act — turning inner growth into real change in their communities.

Who founded it?

Dr. Nina Meyerhof founded Children of the Earth in 1990, carrying home a torch blessed at the World Summit for Children. She has tended the work ever since.

Where does it work?

In more than 30 countries, through youth-led chapters and hubs across six continents.

How is it funded?

Children of the Earth is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. 100% of public donations go directly to our programmes; administrative costs are covered by private donors.

Do you use AI on this site?

Yes. Where we don't yet have photographs, we use AI-generated illustrations to show the spirit of the work. The stories and the people are real; the images are placeholders until photographs arrive from our chapters.

Transparency

A note about our images.

Our work happens in villages, camps, and living rooms across 30 countries — often without a photographer present. Where we don't yet have photographs, we use AI-generated illustrations to show the spirit of the work. The stories are real. The people are real. The images are placeholders for a world we are still learning to capture. As photographs arrive from our chapters, they take the illustrations' place.