Uh oh, you are using an old web browser that we no longer support. Some of this website's features may not work correctly because of this. Learn about updating to a more modern browser here.

Skip To Content

What's the G7 and why should I care about it?

With shops and pubs opening, it finally feels like things are moving in the right direction. After a tough year, the light at the end of the tunnel is in sight.

We’re one step closer to getting our lives back. But millions could miss out on this chance. Including the children who have fallen behind with their learning (or been locked out of school altogether). And the families that are finding it even harder than before to get the things every child needs – good food and medicine – to grow up healthy and happy. 

It’s time to get back to the big issues that affect us all. And G7 is the place to do it.

Here's why.

Who, or what, is a G7?

The G7 (or Group of 7) is made up of the world’s richest democracies – the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States as well as the European Union.

Each member nation takes over the G7 presidency for a year on a rolling basis and hosts the annual two-day summit. This year it’s our turn.

And the G7 summit and the global climate conference couldn’t come at a more important time. In June, the leaders of the world’s richest democracies will meet in Cornwall. And in November the UK will host a climate conference in Glasgow attended by almost every government in the world. 

Great, but this doesn’t concern me, right?

You might be thinking the G7 Summit is only important to the world leaders who attend. But, after a year like no other, the list of people the G7 affects has grown much longer.

In fact, you might care about the outcomes of this year’s G7 if:

  • You care about making sure kids can go to school
  • You want coronavirus to be gone, and stay gone
  • You’re a world leader looking forward to showing off your new haircut
Can you guess which categories we fit into here at Save the Children? So yes, the G7 matters to us. And we think it might matter to you too.

What difference is any of this going to make?

The G7 summit may appear as just a photo-opportunity for world leaders, but it’s not all champagne and canapes. A good G7 is a real opportunity for genuine negotiation and significant decisions. 

The G7 can put together a plan for building back better after the devastating effects of the pandemic. And if they can unite on something as important as the climate crisis, it paves the way for real progress to be made at the global climate conference. 

And of course, vaccines. 

In his recent article, Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown said “The principal item on the agenda should be health: the mass vaccination of the world.” Because for any country to be safe from Coronavirus, every country needs to be. We don’t want to go through this again, and no country should have to. Not now that we have the tools to stop the disease in its tracks.

But it’s not just about vaccines. This G7 summit is our Prime Minister’s chance to lead the way to a deal that changes the future for children left behind because of the pandemic, including getting every child back into school and making sure they get the good food they need to grow.

What can I do?

So, why am I telling you all this? To make you feel worried, or guilty, or powerless? Certainly not.

Because we have a plan.

We've formed a coalition of individuals and organisations to tackle Covid, injustice and climate change. We’re coming together to crack the crises.

We need all G7 countries to play their part, and that means helping pay for it too. The UK and other G7 countries need to show leadership. But for that to happen, it’s going to take every single one of us to let them know how much we care.

Over the next few weeks, we're going to be telling you about the issues that we think need to be at the heart of G7.  You’ll have the opportunity to make your voice heard ahead of the summit that will decide how millions of children’s futures will turn out.

We’ve got a once-in-a-lifetime chance to help create a fairer world for children. To make sure all children get vaccines and healthcare when they need it, to fight poverty, and help end the climate crisis for generations to come. 

Let’s not waste it.

Tell the PM to put children first

The decisions made at the G7 meeting will affect us all - especially children. Add your name to our petition and tell the Prime Minister to lead the way to a deal that changes the future for children.

Share this blog