This year, the J8 Summit will be held in Italy, in the first week of July. The main themes that delegates will discuss at this year’s J8 events are:

Climate Change
Greenhouse gases are clogging up our atmosphere and warming it. As much as most of us like warmer weather, there is more to climate change than just temperature increase. In fact, while the average temperature of the earth’s surface is rising, the effects of this change on the climate in different regions of the world are very different – and warmer weather is not always the result. Climate change impacts ecosystems and communities all over the world.  For more information, download the J8 2009 Climate Change Fact Sheet.

Development Efforts in Africa
In 2006, for the first time in recent history, the total number of annual deaths among children under-five fell below 10 million, to 9.7 million. In 2007, the figure dropped to 9.2 million. However, many countries still have high levels of child mortality, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, and in recent years have made little or no progress in reducing the number of child deaths.  For more information, download the following J8 2009 fact sheets:

• Child Survival and Development Fact Sheet
• HIV and AIDS Fact Sheet
• Child Protection From Violence Fact Sheet

Child Rights in the Context of the Financial Crisis

For more information, download the J8 2009 Fact Sheet on the Financial and Economic Crisis