Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Chair of The Elders, said:

“These are four truly amazing young people. Why can’t our leaders be more like them?

“This dialogue is about the bold action we need in Rio. Without that, we are done for. The Youngers must succeed where we have failed.”

Gro Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway, member of the UN Secretary-General’s Global Sustainability Panel, said:

“This year we should be celebrating the Rio Earth Summit’s twentieth anniversary – and yet seven billion people now co-exist on our fragile planet, many of whom are dangerously short of food, water and basic economic security.

“Poverty, ecosystem degradation and climate change will define our era unless we all commit to urgently change the unsustainable path we are on at Rio+20. We can’t put off action for another day.”

Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said:

“Today’s young people have a different perspective. They feel a greater sense of urgency about the issues. They care more about, and are better connected to, the global village.

“We Elders know only too well the tough decisions facing world leaders in Rio. It’s vital that they listen to what Elders and Youngers have to say.”

Fernando Henrique Cardoso, former President of Brazil, said:

“For better or for worse, and in light of its growth and its environmental challenges, the fate of Brazil will be strongly linked to this moment in humanity’s history – environmentally, economically and socially. It’s fitting we should be meeting here in June.

“I look forward to welcoming the Youngers on this occasion. I hope their presence in Rio is a moment they will come to be proud of.”

Esther Agbarakwe, 27, from Nigeria, who currently works with Population Action International in Washington DC as an Atlas Corps International Advocacy Fellow, said:

“I am passionate about Africa’s development, especially when it relates to women’s health and empowerment. This includes women's ability to choose when, and how many children to have, as well as their ability to adapt to the changing climate they face each day.

“I am equally aware that we have a long way to go to meet these challenges, but I believe that when young people know the urgency of the crisis, they will act.”

Marvin Nala, 23, an environmental advocate from China who founded the Big Appetite volunteer network and is currently undertaking an internship at UNDP China and the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy, said:

“I believe in the power of each individual, no matter the political or economic system they live in. Chinese society is in transition, and I am deeply motivated to see so many young people around me becoming activists. They are a real force for good, online and offline, that we must build on.”

Sara Svensson, 27, a non-violent environmental activist and advocate from Sweden, who is currently interning with UNEP in Nairobi, said:

“We have a doomsday scenario to avoid – and sustainable development is the only way to go about this. It is an opportunity to redefine our common values and bring about the kind of world that most people everywhere want.”

Pedro Telles, 23, a socio-environmentalist based in São Paulo, Brazil, who currently works with the Vitae Civilis Institute, said:

“I have chosen to dedicate my life to sustainable development. My heart and mind tell me there is not much sense focusing my energy in anything else.

“Rio+20 comes as a very important moment of convergence in our history, exposing the many challenges we face worldwide, but also creating big opportunities for us to stand up for a fair, peaceful and sustainable world.”