National media training workshopWelcome to the workshop. Mr. Zouzou, Head of Training with the Ministry of Communication, Dear journalists from radio, television and printed press, from Abidjan, Man and Bouaké, dear colleagues from the Communication department at UNICEF, This is not only to be a training course, but also an occasion for exchange. All of us here are both experts and learners: we are here to learn from one another. A workshop on Media and Rights of the Child: Why should that be important? You play an essential role in society. You hold enormous power – and you know it! For commercial reasons, media often pander to Blood, Sex and various Scandals. It is not always easy to promote “serious” journalism – that is to say a format which leans toward educational, preventive or dissuasive messages. We at UNICEF would very much like the media to be more attentive to the life and situation of children. Not just for commercial reasons, but because we are convinced that you, much like ourselves, have a role to play, a positive role in terms of ethics, correct information, advocacy of children’s issues etc. We as an agency for children’s interests need you – but more importantly, society needs you and in particular the children within this country’s society need you!!! You as members of the media must be prepared to deal with a number of important questions, which should be the subject of researched articles and public debate: all violations of children’s rights and all issues related to their safety, well-being, education, health and social protection, as well as all forms of child exploitation. And now for the big question: What can we do to help you? First of all let me explain what UNICEF is: UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. True to its mandate, UNICEF advocates protection of children’s rights. This is why our work is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Article 42 of this Convention requires governments to “widely advertise the Convention”, whose text contains 54 Articles and several optional Protocols. In short, government authorities encourage us to publicize this information as well as any other information which is socially and culturally favorable to children and they encourage us not to forget children’s right to participate. I would like to correct some incorrect perceptions about UNICEF. We are not an NGO and we are not an implementation agency. On the other hand we are a United Nations agency and we are here because we have been invited by the Government to help in implementing the GOVERNMENT’S development strategy. Together with the Government, we have developed a cooperation plan. At present, in 2008, we are operating on a bridge plan which links the last five-year plan and the next one, due to start in 2009. In order to prepare this country program, we work closely with our partners under the guidance of the Ministry of Planning. Obviously, we are not alone in this system: we work together with UNCT, the UN country teams, within the framework of UNDAF, the United Nations Development Assistance Framework. And we take our guidance from the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). That’s enough! I didn’t come to this workshop to wear you out with UNICEF and UN System jargon. You will, on the other hand, find all pertinent information in your folders. At the end of the day we will ask you to give some thought to your personal commitment. What we are doing here is not for us, but for you and the children in this country: For all of us, one question should never be forgotten:
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