Rallying call for the global movement for children
In every child who comes into the world , the hopes and
dreams of the human race are born anew.
Children are the bearers of our common future – a future that
is in our hands as never before. For the world has the knowledge , the
resources and the legal imperatives to give every child the best possible start
in life, in a family environment that offers the love, the care, the nurturing
that children need to grow, to learn and to develop to the fullest.
For this matter I urge you all to remember to do the
following for children
1.
Leave no Child Out
Because every girl and boy is born free and equal in dignity
and rights, all forms of discrimination and exclusion against children must
end.
2.
Put Children First
Governments must meet their obligations to children and
young people. At the same time, everyone - - including individuals,
non-governmental organizations, religious groups, the private sector and
children and adolescents themselves - must recognize their responsibility to
ensure that child rights are respected.
3.
Care For Every Child
The survival and development of children is essential
foundation of human development. No effort should be spared to ensure that
children get the best possible start in life.
4.
Fight HIV/AIDS
Children and adolescents and their families must be
protected from the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS
5.
Stop Harming and Exploiting Children
The violence and abuse that children suffer must be stopped
now. And sexual and economic exploitation of children must also end.
6.
Listen to Children
Everyone must respect the right of children and young people
to express themselves and to participate in decisions that affect them,
consistent with their evolving capabilities. And we must listen and act.
7.
Educate Every Child
All girls and boys must receive a compulsory, free primary
education of good quality.
8.
Protect Children from War
Children must be protected from the horrors of armed
conflict.
9.
Protect The Earth for Children
There must be urgent steps by everyone of us – including
governments, civil society and the
private sector – to assure the well-being and security of future generations by
safeguarding the environment at global, national and local levels.
10.
Fight Poverty: Invest in Children
Because children suffer the most from poverty, the fight
against it must begin with them. This includes investing in social services
that benefit the poorest children and their families, such as basic health care
and primary education. At the same time, the well-being of children must be a
priority objective of debt relief programmes, development assistance and
government spending.
This article has been extracted from the official UNICEF page for "The Global Movement For Children" http://www.unicef.org/gmfc/call.htm The Movement gave rise to an international campaign called "Say Yes For Children" which commenced in April 2001. The results of the campaign were presented at the Special Session on Children held by the United Nations General Assembly in New York 8-10 May 2002.