Introducing SunChild NGO, IUCN’s new Member in Armenia

At the heart of SunChild’s mission is a belief that conservation must go beyond science and policy to include culture, storytelling, and the lived experiences of local communities. Through its membership in IUCN, SunChild aims to amplify the voices of Armenia’s children and rural communities, showcasing how they perceive, value, and protect their natural surroundings, while connecting these insights to international dialogues on biodiversity and climate.

“Our decision to join IUCN comes from a conviction that conservation must be reimagined beyond traditional boundaries of policy and ecology,” says Sona Kalantaryan, Director of SunChild NGO. “We aim to bring fresh energy, narrative, and youth-led creativity into IUCN’s spaces, highlighting how local voices and storytelling can enrich global conservation strategies.”

Since its founding, SunChild has reached thousands of young people and communities across Armenia through its Eco-Club Network, fostering environmental leadership and hands-on conservation projects. The flagship SunChild International Environmental Festival, the only environmental film festival in the South Caucasus, has featured more than 780 films from nearly 150 countries, sparking dialogue and inspiring action through the power of visual storytelling.

Beyond education, SunChild’s activities link conservation with community wellbeing, from sustainable energy and water access projects to public art events such as the annual Animal Carnival Parade, which gathers thousands of children to celebrate biodiversity through eco-friendly creativity. The organisation also invests in training journalists, empowering rural communities, and building bridges between people, culture, and nature.

For more information, visit SunChild’s website.

To learn who can become an IUCN Member and how, please visit this page.