JANUARY 2001
None Issued!FEBRUARY 2001
None Issued!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARCH 2001
The "Friends of Jordanian Children"
The "Friends of Jordanian Children" advocacy group composed of a broad-based coalition of influential decision makers and opinion leaders, was launched on Monday the 19 March, 2001.
The Group was launched under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah. In November last year, Her Majesty became the first Arab leader to join the Leadership Initiative and advocate for the Global Movement. In doing so, Her Majesty joined Nelson Mandela and Graca Machel in reaching out to world leaders to improve the lives of children throughout the world. His Majesty King Abdullah II has also expressed strong support for this Movement.
The Friends of Jordanian Children was formed in response to a call made by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Jordan Country Office to advocate for the better future of Jordanian children in the 21st Century as part of the Global Movement for Children .
The Group members are:
Functioning as a collective global force devoted to creating a world where every child's right to dignity, security and self-fulfillment is achieved, the Movement brings together people and organisations who believe that now is the time to take action for children to sustain human development.
A "Call for Action" was also made on this day. The Friends of Jordanian Children, UNICEF and the Jordan River Foundation are inviting the private sector, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and civil society to join forces and become partners in the Movement.
This partnership calls upon all sectors of society to support activities related to the Movement in Jordan such as financing the production of advocacy packages on selected child rights issues, the participation of Jordanian delegates in regional and global events, and the subscription to the first youth magazine in the country written and produced by youth for youth.
UN Agencies Launch New Plan To Halve Mortality Of Measles, A Major Chilkdhood Killer
In a concerted move against one of the world's deadliest childhood diseases, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) announced on 29 March a new initiative designed to halve global measles deaths by 2005.
"Measles is still a major childhood killer, with over 30 million cases and nearly 900 000 annual deaths in recent years. These figures are even more shocking given the fact that effective immunization, which includes vaccine and safe injection equipment, costs just US$ 0.26 and has been available for more than 30 years," said Dr Bjørn Melgaard, Director of Vaccines and Biologicals, WHO.
Measles accounts for the majority of the estimated 1.6 million annual deaths due to childhood vaccine-preventable diseases. Failure to deliver at least one dose of measles vaccine to all infants remains the primary reason for the high incidence and mortality rates of measles.
The Global Measles Strategic Plan calls on countries to assess progress on measles control, identify reasons for low routine coverage, develop a three to five year plan for measles mortality reduction and fully implement the recommended strategies.
The plan has been developed by UNICEF and WHO in cooperation with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), numerous experts worldwide and several other partners. It has the advantage of being a flexible framework that can be adapted to the specific needs and immediate goals of individual countries.
Under the new initiative, WHO and UNICEF will assist affected countries to:
1. Provide a first dose of measles vaccine to all infants.
2. Guarantee a "second opportunity" for vaccination to increase the probability that as many children as possible are immunized and to assure that those immunized are responding to the vaccination.
3. Establish an effective system to monitor coverage and conduct measles surveillance.
4. Improve management of complicated measles cases, including vitamin A supplementation.
Near blanket coverage is crucial for containing the disease. "Because measles is so contagious and because a small number of those who are vaccinated do not develop immunity, vaccination coverage levels need to be above 90% to stop measles deaths. Unfortunately, this goal has not yet been achieved in all countries," said Dr Suomi Sakai, UNICEF's Chief of Immunization Activities. "But we know we can get there," she added.
Measles, a viral disease, is spread by infected droplets during sneezing and coughing, through direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected persons or by touching contaminated objects. It is predominantly a disease of childhood, causing fever and rash and is sometimes complicated by ear infections, pneumonia, or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) which can result in convulsions, deafness, mental retardation or death.
In addition to the compelling humanitarian and health reasons, the economic arguments for investing in measles control are convincing. Of all health interventions, measles immunization carries the highest health return for the money spent, saving more lives per unit than most other health interventions.
In 1999, measles coverage below 50% was reported by 14 countries, most of them in Africa. The list includes Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Madagascar, Niger, Senegal, Somalia, and Togo.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
APRIL 2001
A preparatory committee for the "Say Yes for Children"
global campaign met on Tuesday 10 April, 2001 to discuss mechanisms for collecting one million signatures from all over the Kingdom.
Children, youth, mothers and fathers, and decision makers are to sign to 10 principles necessary for improving the lives of children and youth all over the world.
The signatures will be presented at the United Nations Special Session on Children (UNSSC); at this meeting world leaders and government heads will review achievements made since the 1990 World Summit for Children, lessons learnt and discuss future direction-The New Global Agenda.
The committee, which represents both governmental and non-governmental organisations, was formed in response to a call made by the UNICEF Jordan Country Office, Friends of Jordanian Children advocacy group, and Jordan River Foundation.
The committee members are: the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Young Women Christian Association, Community Service Bureau at the University of Jordan, Hatem Children's Magazine, SOS, Scouts, Haya Cultural Centre, Jordanian Women's Federation, Royal Society for Conservation of the Nature, El Hassan Youth Award, Community Empowerment Project at Al-Nasser, Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Humann Development,Family Protection Project, Youth Advisory Group, Noor Al-Hussein Foundation, UNRWA, Jordan River Foundation, and Jordan Radio and Television Corporation.
Signatures will be collected by committee members within their own organisational networks. The "Say Yes for Children" campaign will be launched globally on 26 April in London. The campaign will be launched in Jordan in May under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah
The private sector has responded to the "Call for Action" fundraising drive made last month under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania, and has thus become a partner in the Global Movement for Children.
By responding to the "Call for Action" made by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Jordan Country Office, the Friends of Jordanian Children (FJC) advocacy group and the Jordan River Foundation (JRF), the private sector has joined forces with the government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and pledged support for the children and youth of Jordan.
In-kind and financial donations have paved the way for Jordanian youth and children to have a say in their future:Two youths and two NGOs from Jordan will now be able to participate in the regional Preparatory Symposium on Children in Beirut this month through a JD 5,000 donation made by Senator Subhia Maani.
Jordan Telecom and Pioneers Production Company have sponsored two public service announcements to be broadcast on television next month in support of two themes of the "Say Yes for Children" campaign (a global event part of the Global Movement for Children). These two themes are "Educate Every Child" and "Protect the Earth for children."
Another eight awareness spots need to be sponsored to spread awareness regarding 10 principles necessary for improving the lives of children and youth all over the world. These principles are the focus of the "Say Yes for Children" campaign to be launched in Jordan on 15 May by Her Majesty Queen Rania. The aim is to gather one million signatures from all over the Kindgom from children, youth, mothers and fathers, and decision makers. These signatures will then be sent to the United Nations Special Session on Children (UNSSC) in September (which has been postponed) as a tool to urge states into doing more for children and youth, and shaping future direction encompassed in the "New Global Agenda."
The private sector has also responded to the "Call for Action" fundraising drive by in-kind contributions. These organisations are: Prisma Service Center, Takween for Education and Drama, the National Press, Jordan Express, Trans Jordan Communications Services Company (ALO), and Ivory Service Bureau (ISB).
The New Global Agenda to be adopted at UNSSC will focus on the need to have more youth participate in the decisions that effect their lives and have their voices heard. Early Childhood Development, and quality basic education are the two other areas of emphasis in the Global Agenda.
The private sector's involvement in the Global Movement for Children will certainly help in making the voices of youth and children in Jordan heard, and in creating a world where every child's right to dignity, security and self-fulfillment is guaranteed.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAY 2001
"Say Yes for Children" Campaign
Jordan launched its "Say Yes for Children" campaign in the north eastern Badia (desert) village of Um Guttain amid two thousand children, youths, mothers and fathers, tribal leaders and decision makers.
Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah kicked off the launch by signing her name to an enlarged signature form. She encouraged every Jordanian to sign in support of child rights.
Misrak Elias, Unicef Representative to Jordan, commended Her Majesty's role in advocating for child rights at both the national and international levels. Elias pointed out the significant role Queen Rania had as a leader in the Leadership Initiative.
A 14 year old girl from a local SOS village spoke of her experience growing up in an SOS village and touched upon the 10 principles of the campaign. Afterwards, 40 students from the University of Jordan Community Service Bureau proceeded to collect signatures from participants most of who were seated under black goat- hair tents to keep cool from the scorching heat of the midday sun.
The launch concluded with a visit to an IT centre in Safawi, another village in the Badia, where children logged on to the Unicef Jordan website to "Say Yes for Children-" Approximately 389 entries were made and 2,500 signatures collected.
Leave No Child Out
Around one hundred SOS children from the village of Tareq said "yes" to the 10 principles of the "Say Yes for Children" campaign on 19 May, 2001. These children joined the Minister of Social Development Tamam Ghoul and singed on a special form.
"Care for Every Child" was the focus of this event as it is one of the campaign's 10 principles deemed necessary for improving the lives of children all over the world. This imperative stresses that all children must enjoy the highest attainable standard of health especially through proper housing and a safe and healthy environment.
His Majesty King Abbullah has taken a keen interest in the plight of orphans and abandoned children and in March this year instructed his government to re-examine existing regulations and to draw up a new system that caters to the needs of this group and enables them to be integrated in their communities.
His Majesty has called for the formation of a task force of specialists to first study regulations governing organisations that care for orphaned and abandoned children. The task force is to assess the performance of these organisations, and submit alternative regulations that can be applied in Jordan before drawing up comprehensive national plans.
The "Say Yes for Children" campaign was launched by Her Majesty Queen Rania on Wednesday 16 May, 2001 in the Um Guttain village in the north east Badia. Queen Rania is a staunch supporter of child rights and has committed her time, resources and energy to and for the children and youth of Jordan at both the regional and international levels. Her Majesty is the first Arab leader to have joined African Statesman Nelson Mandela and others in the Leadership Initiative to mobilise world leaders to work for a better future for children.
Approximately 2,889 children, youths, mothers and fathers, and decision-makers signed the 10 rallying points of the campaign through special forms and the UNICEF website (www.unicef.org/jordan) at the launch.
Students from the University of Jordan Community Service Bureau (CSB) collected the signatures. The Bureau encompasses the campaign's operations room where signatures are tallied into computers. The "Say Yes for Children" campaign has a 25-member Steering Committee of which SOS and the CSB are active members. The latter two entities are also centres where the public may go to sign.
So far, the SOS has collected 500 signatures from its villages in Irbid, Amman, Aqaba, youth graduates, and employees.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Jordan Country Office established this Committee and has mobilised the government, the private sector and civil society organisations in order to spread awareness all over the Kingdom and to create an efficient mechanism for the collection of these signatures.
Jordan along with all countries of the world will present these signatures to world leaders in September at the United Nations Special Session on Children (UNSSC). The aim is to encourage leaders to adopt the New Global Agenda "A World Fit for Children," and to spread awareness and catalyse discussions around these ten points.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees - UNRWA
Amid an array of colourfully dressed children, Her Royal Highness Princess Alia Al-Faisal signed the "Say Yes for Children" form on 31 May, 2001 at the UNRWA Joufah School for Girls. She was followed by UNRWA Director General William Lee and school children.
UNRWA organised this event as part of the school's open sports day. Over 100 girls sang, danced and exhibited their agility in various activities.
Ministry of Education collects over 800,000 signatures during the first week of the "Say Yes for Children" Campaign.
-The Ministry of Education joined students from all over the Kingdom as it signed the 10 principles of the "Say Yes for Children" campaign on Wednesday. These signatures are the latest in a series of endorsements for the "Say Yes for Children" campaign which have been taking place in the Country since 16 May, 2001.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Khalid Toukan, along with 30 second grade students signed the "Say Yes for Children" form at the Khalda School for Girls at an early morning meeting. The young girls spoke to the minister of what they believed to be the most important child rights: Educating every child, protecting children from war and disease and " protecting children from cars when we cross the roads," was how eight year old Tamam put it.
One of the imperative actions and responsibilities the campaign is calling for is "Educate Every Child" which stresses that all girls and boys must receive a compulsory, free primary education of good quality.
People of all ages from every part of society are being asked to join their voices to those calling for a better world for children in the "Say Yes for Children" campaign The campaign is determined to deliver the clear and unmistakable message that the citizens of the world care about children and expect governments to keep the promises they make to them.
This event was followed by a separate Expanded Education Planning Committee. meeting at the Ministry of Education where the Secretary General Gazi Al-Khreisha and some 100 top officials, including general directors and directors of education, pledged their support for the campaign by signing the "Say Yes" form.
According to Dr. Khalid Nabtiti, the General Director of Education and Student Affairs, the Ministry of Education has collected over 800,000 signatures during the first week of the campaign.
The Ministry of Education is an active member of the "Say Yes for Children" Steering Committee (a group of 25 government and non-governmental organisations, and the private sector leading the campaign in the country). Through this committee an extensive network of people and organisations have been working in all parts of Jordan in a massive grass-roots campaigns reaching thousand of people, mobilizing them around the issues that on a minute-to-minute basis affect the daily lives and futures of children
Also on the same day, the President of the University of Jordan Dr. Walid Ma'ani, signed the "Say Yes for Children" form in addition to Dr. Sausan Majali Head of CSB.
Bashar Abdul Jawad (19) a CSB volunteer said "I believe that these signatures will make a difference if world leaders take it upon themselves to ensure that the 10 imperatives become a reality. If these rights are ensured for children then we are investing in tomorrow's adult. "
Shaima' Abu Baker (20) also another CSB volunteer says that she spends seven hours a day recording and documenting these signatures, but "I feel that these signatures will encourage states to fulfill the promises they made to children."
To date the Community Service Bureau (CSB) at the University of Jordan, collecting all signatures, has entered 875,000 signatures into their computers. Members are to sign on Thursday and the Senate signed on Tuesday.
The campaign aims at collecting one million signatures from Jordan which will be presented to the United Nations Special Session on Children (UNSSC) in September 2001 in New York. The idea is to influence world leaders, participating in the UNSSC, to adopt a new global agenda for children, put children first, and undertake necessary changes to improve the situation of children and youth during the first generation of the 21st Century.
The "Say Yes for Children" campaign is an international effort taking place in many countries around the world. Arab countries, such as Lebanon, Syria, Sudan, the West Bank and Gaza are organising similar campaigns.
Importance of safeguarding the rights of the child
Highlighting the importance of safeguarding the rights of the child and stressing that the protection of both children and women was a priority, the Director of the Public Security Directorate (PSD) responded to the "Say Yes for Children" call by adding his name to the campaign on 28 May, 2001.
Major General Dhaher Al-Fawaz and eight department officials, including head of the Family Protection Department (FPD), Lieutenant Colonel Fadil Al-Hamoud, all wearing blue uniforms,signed "Yes" to the child right imperative deemed necessary for improving the lives of children all over the world.
In a meeting held at The Directorate's headquarters, a large ceremony was held later on in the day. Around 500 public security officers followed suit and gave their signatures.
Amid a crowd of students busy counting signatures, the President of the University of Jordan , Walid Ma'ani, signed the "Say Yes for Children" form along with Dr. Sausan Majali Head of Community Service Office (CSO) on 23 May, 2001.
Volunteers tallied the signatures collected for the campaign and Bashar Abdul Jawad (19), who was punching in the numbers into his computer, said, "I believe that these signatures will make a difference if world leaders take it upon themselves to ensure that the ten imperatives become a reality. If these rights are ensured for children then we are investing in tomorrow's adults."
Shaima' Abu Baker (20) also another CSO volunteer said that she spent seven hours a day recording and documenting these signatures. "I feel that these signatures will encourage states to fulfil the promises they made to children," she said.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Sa'id Shoukum signed "yes" on 31 May, 2001 in a late afternoon ceremony during the inauguration of the Family Pioneer House in Amman for the promotion of democratic participation in sports, culture and technology for youths and their parents.
World No Tobacco Day will be commemorated today under the patronage of the Minister of Health in cooperation with The Jordanian Anti-Smoking Smoking Society (JAS) and the United Nation's Children Fund (UNICEF).
The theme for this year is "Second- Hand Smoke Kills, Let's Clear the Air." Second-hand smoke is a threat to public health as it is associated with lung cancer and heart disease. The involuntary exposure of children to tobacco smoke is a cause of respiratory disease, middle ear disease, asthma attacks, and sudden infant death syndrome. Tobacco smoke is also an important source of indoor air pollution, contributing to a poisonous environment, and causing eye irritation, sore throat, cough, and headache.
In Jordan, youth who smoke start as early as 10 years according to the 1999 Global Youth Tobacco Survey which focused on 13-15 old school students. The same survey found that 19.3 percent of youth in the smoke: 25 percent were males and 14.5 percent females.
The same survey revealed that peer pressure is the main factor for why male youth smoke while family is the main factor why female youth smoke. Female youth usually smoke at home while male youth smoke in public places. Only 52% of youth have knowledge about the dangers of environmental smoking (second-hand smoking). Another main reason why smoking is becoming prevalent among youth is that the tobacco industry is targeting youth in promoting and marketing its tobacco products. This is done through indirect advertising such as sponsoring sports activities and contests.
Tobacco kills four million people annually. By 2030, it will kill 10 million people, out of which seven out of ten deaths will occur in developing countries. This is more than the total deaths resulting from malaria, tuberculosis, maternal and major childhood conditions combined.
UNICEF is mandated to advocate for the rights of children up to age of 18 years. Since youth constitute an important segment of this age group, more effort is being directed towards protecting them from smoking.
The Ministry of Health, UNICEF, and JAS formed an alliance three years ago to fight tobacco use in the country and to work with policy makers to activate tobacco related legislation. to activate dormant legislation. This partnership will also focus on implementing peer youth education projects in secondary schools and on raising public awareness.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
JUNE 2001
The Jordan Press Association (JPA) became another partner in the "Say Yes for Children" campaign as it said "yes" to the campaign's ten child rights imperatives.
JPA Chairman Saif Sharif signed first followed by journalists from the local press. At the meeting, which took place at the JPA headquartres, Dr. Nabil Sharif, a member of the Friends of Jordanian Children advocacy group pointed to the importance of such a campaign in raising awareness of child rights in the country and highlighting issues raised by children themselves as a result of this campaign. "Nothing can be done unless it is in partnership with all members of society. Governments, the private sector and civil society organisations have joined forces in this campaign to show that Jordan cares about its children and is working to ensure that approaches are rights-based," said Dr. Sharif ,who is also Editor-in-Chief of Ad-Dustour Arab daily.
The press has played a vital role in this campaign which is the first activity of the Global Movement for Children in terms of spreading awareness and publishing public service announcements on each of the ten points of the "Say Yes for Children" campaign. Journalists have been active in interviewing and mobilising children, youth and adults from all over the Kingdom to ensure that their voices and opinions are brought to the forefront-This is what the Global Movement for Children is all about: Everybody in society is responsible for taking action and showing that society cares about children-The Movement is about changing the world for and with children.
Decision makers have taken keen interest in the issues raised by children and youth as they have discussed the 10 child rights imperatives on which the campaign is based. Issues of concern to the Jordanian child have been relfected by television, radio,and the printed media. The level of public awareness raised by the media has far exceeded UNICEF's expectations in mobilising the country around these 10 imperative actions and responsibilities. People of all ages from every part of society have joined their voices to those calling for a better world for children-and for all of us.
The campaign is determined to deliver the clear and unmistakable message that the citizens of the world care about children and expect governments to keep the promises they make to them.
The "Say Yes for Children" is a global campaign and in this respect all signatures collected will be sent to the United Nations Special Session on Children this year. The aim is to influence world leaders participating in this Session to adopt a new global agenda for children and to undertake necessary changes to improve the situation and position of children and youth during the first generation of the 21st Century.
The Civil Defence Directorate headed by its Director General Brigadier Mahmoud Abbadi, added its name to a long and speedily growing list of endorsements to the "Say Yes for Children" campaign initiated by UNICEF.
"The ten child right principles on which this campaign is based reflect our work here at the Civil Defence Directorate particularly when it comes to teaching children how to protect themselves," Brigadier Abbadi said in front of an audience of high ranking civil defence officials.
The Director General explained that the Directorate focused on school children in its awareness programmes "because they quickly absorb information. We start with children in kindergartens, and invite them to visit us so that they can see what we do. We train them in first aid and how to react in emergencies."
Last year, the Civil Defence Directorate reported 61,000 accidents in the Kingdom. Common injuries sustained by children occurred from falling from heights, car accidents, and swimming in dangerous waters.
In a separate meeting at the Palace of Justice the Chief of the Judicial Council and Head of the Court of Cassation Ahmad Tarawneh met with UNICEF officials and singed to the actions called for by "Say Yes for Children" - Veteran judges followed suit.
Decision makers from all over the Kingdom have taken a keen interest in the campaign which is part of the Global Movement for Children and have said "Yes" to 10 critical actions needed to improve the lives of children and adolescents everywhere.
These actions cover issues ranging from poverty and violence to education, and the environment.
Later on and on the same day, the 80-member Family Protection Project, headed by Judge Taghreed Hikmat, added its voice to the campaign.
The first woman judge in Jordan, Judge Taghreed Hikmat who is a member of the Friends of Jordanian Children group, participated in the launch of the "Say Yes" campaign; She went to Um Al-Guttain and spoke to children and youth alike about child rights and advocated for the 10 campaign principles.
"We as a project rely on human rights in cases of violence and abuse against women and children in Jordan," said the Judge at the signing. The judge continued to say that "We work along the 10 child rights principles highlighted in the campaign with particular focus on the fifth principles which says stop harming and exploiting children."
This imperative action calls for a stop to the violence and abuse that children suffer and states that sexual and economic exploitation of children must also end.
Judge Hikmat mobilised the judiciary into becoming partners in the GMC: Chief of the Judicial Council and Head of the Court of Cassation Ahmad Tarawneh singed "affirmative" to the actions called for by the "Say Yes for Children" campaign at the Palace of Justice on 3 June, 2001 - Veteran judges followed suit.
The Family Protection Project is an active member of the "Say Yes for Children" Steering Committee. It has spread awareness and generated dialogue around child rights issues and has collected signatures from all schools in the southern parts of Jordan especially those in remote areas.
To date, 983, 689 signatures have been tallied by the Community Service Bureau at the University of Jordan. The level of public awareness and participation in this global activity has far exceeded UNICEF's expectations in mobilising the country around these 10 imperative actions and responsibilities : People of all ages from every part of society have joined their voices to those calling for a better world for children. Children and youth are speaking of issues of concern to them and decision makers are taking note of all that is being said.
All signatures collected will be sent to the United Nations Special Session on Children in September this year. The aim is to influence world leaders participating in this Session to adopt a new global agenda for children and to undertake necessary changes to improve the situation and position of children and youth during the first generation of the 21st Century.
The Family Protection Project
The 80-member Family Protection Project, headed by Judge Taghreed Hikmat, added its voice to the campaign on 3 June, 2001.
"We as a project rely on human rights in cases of violence and abuse against women and children in Jordan," said the Judge at the signing.
The judge, who also happens to be a member of the Friend of Jordanian Children group, continued to say, "We work along the 10 child rights principles highlighted in the campaign with particular focus on the fifth principle which says stop harming and exploiting children."
The Family Protection Project is an active member of the "Say Yes for Children" Steering Committee. It has spread awareness and generated dialogue around child rights issues and has collected signatures from all schools in the southern parts of Jordan especially those in remote areas.
UNICEF Amman Staff Association
Wearing "Say Yes" t-shirts and hats, hands covered with paint, around 50 children painted their feelings on canvas at UNICEF House on 16 June, 2001 in support of the "Say Yes for Children" campaign.
Under the slogan of "Listen to Children," the UNICEF Amman Staff Association of Jordan organised this activity for the children of staff and their guests. The latter included two young girls from the Landmines Survivors Network who had lost their legs as a result of landmine explosions in Jordan.
The activity took place under the patronage of the Mayor of the Greater Amman Municipality, Nidal Hadid.
Renowned Arab artist Hassan Jalal painted alongside the young artists some of whom were as young as four years. As a result, beautiful and colourful abstract paintings now adorn the walls of UNICEF House .
Simultaneously, children had the chance to become writers, editors and publishers for the day as they participated in a one day workshop on "How We Produce a Magazine." The editor of "Bara'em Amman" (a Municipality children's magazine ) showed girls and boys the different processes involved in producing such a magazine. Children proceeded to write and illustrate their work, edit and lay-out stories. Six pages of the magazine's next issue will reflect this experience under the title of "Say Yes for Children."
The International Community:The United Nations Family
United Nations Resident Co-ordinator, Costante Muzio, lead UN agencies in Jordan by signing affirmative to the child rights campaign on 27 June, 2001.
"We are saying yes to the future. We want to put the soul of international organisations in this," said Muzio to an audience of UN heads ( UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO, UNESCO, UNHCR, and UNRWA).
Heads of UN agencies followed Muzio's lead by signing the pledge form at the Untied Nations Development Programme (UNDP) headquartres in Jordan.
The Future Search Conference
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) organised a Future Search Conference for the development of strategies for the Programme of Cooperation between UNICEF and the Government of Jordan for the Fund's upcoming cycle ( 2003-2007).
The Programme of Cooperation between the Jordanian Government and UNICEF runs in five-year cycles. The current Programme of Cooperation, which became effective in 1998, will end in the year 2001.
UNICEF and the Ministry of Planning (signatory to UNICEF's Master Plan of Operations) are currently preparing for the next Programme of Cooperation which will cover the period 2003-2007. Thus, and in order to ensure the most effective participation of all stakeholders in this important process, UNICEF and the Ministry of Planning will conduct a Future Search Conference to identify the goals, objectives, and strategies of this future cycle of co-operation.
Participants included governmental and non-governmental organisations, academia, research centres, media, and youth.
The two-day conference was held on 1-2 July, 2001.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
JULY 2001
Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan added her name in support of the 10 child rights principles of the "Say Yes for Children" campaign on 17 July, 2001.
Every household in Jordan's five million population has been involved in one manner or another in the "One Million Signatures Campaign" as it has been dubbed:Top officials, including both Their Majesties King Abdullah II and Queen Rania, have supported this campaign.
The Arab Children's Congress is held annually in Jordan and brings together youth aged 14-17 years from all over the Arab world. Thematically organised, this year, the Congress carried the slogan of "Youth Hold the Future."
At this event, youth presented recommendations of their one week of deliberations to an audience of children, youth and decision-makers. They depicted the challenges the Arab youth faced in a dramatic presentation. Some of the issues highlighted were gender discrimination, the abuse of youth by private sector enterprises, such as the tobacco industry and fast food chains, and honour crimes.
Renowned Lebanese singer Ragheb Alama added his name to a long and ever increasing list of endorsements to the "Say Yes for Children" campaign on Friday 20 July, 2001.
Alama signed on the "Say Yes" form during his recent working visit to Jordan where he gave a concert at the Amman University Arena.
Alama's signature comes in support of the "Say Yes for Children" campaign and its 10 child rights principles. Whilst scrolling his name on the sheet, he wore a white t-shirt with a picture of a child and with a wide grin said that he wore it especially for this occasion.
Launched by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah on 16 May, the campaign has witnessed the mobilisation of over 20 per cent of the Kingdom's population: Decision makers at the highest level, mothers and fathers, children and youth have all been part of this campaign which is the first activity of the Global Movement for Children.
In Jordan, and through the campaign's Steering Committee, an extensive network of people and organisations are working in villages, towns and neighbourhoods to reach hundreds of thousands of people, mobilising them around the issues that on a minute-to-minute basis affect the daily lives and futures of children.
The success of the Movement in Jordan has been attributed to the involvement of the government, individuals, non-governmental organisations, the private sector and children and adolescents themselves in recognising their responsibility to ensuring that child rights are respected.
This massive grass root campaign is determined to deliver the clear and unmistakable message that the citizens of the world care about children and expect governments to keep the promises they make to them.
Pledging will continue until 10 August, and in September these signatures will be presented to world leaders at the United Nations Special Session on Children (UNSSC - which has been postponed). Around 63 Heads of State and government have confirmed their participation including both Their Majesties King Abdullah II and Queen Rania.
The aim is to use these signatures to encourage leaders in adopting the New Global Agenda "A World Fit for Children-" The future direction which calls for change within one generation.
Ten Ambassadors of the European Union (EU) member states and the European Commission in Amman signed the "Say Yes for Children" form at the Belgian Embassy in Amman.
Belgium currently holds the six-month rotating presidency of the EU, and in this context UNICEF Representative in Jordan Misrak Elias presented Belgian Ambassador Marc de Schoutheete with the signature form to sign.
The Ambassador was followed by Spain, the European Delegation, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Austria, Italy, Sweden, Greece and the Netherlands.
The "Say Yes for Children" campaign was launched in Jordan by Her Majesty Queen Rania on 16 May, 2001 and has since then garnered national support at all levels. The campaign's target of one million signatures has been reached and signatures will continue to be collected until 10 August, 2001. They will be sent to New York to be presented to world leaders at the United Nations Special Session on Children in September (which has been postoned).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUGUST 2001
The Grand Hyatt Amman "Says Yes"
As an expression of the important role the private sector has in supporting socio-economic issues, the Grand Hyatt Amman Hotel dedicated 5 August, 2001 to the "Say Yes for Children" campaign.
All hotel staff and guests were given the opportunity to sign on the "Say Yes" signature form in the presence of Dr. Taleb Al Rifa'i Minister of Tourism and Antiquities.
"By having this whole day dedicated to supporting the "Say Yes for Children" campaign, the Grand Hyatt Amman Hotel is emphasising the great role and responsibility that the private sector has in ensuring that child rights are respected," said UNICEF Representative in Jordan Misrak Elias at this event.
The Grand Hyatt Amman Hotel has committed itself to the Global Movement for Children (GMC) not only in terms of mobilising its staff and guests for the child rights campaign, but also by partially sponsoring an activity for the GMC in September.
"The presence of the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities reflects a partnership, which does not speak of obligations being met by the government alone, but of a partnership built with the private sector in furthering the best interest of children in Jordan," noted Elias.
The young staff members proceeded to sign in addition to two renowned Egyptian actors Izzat Abu 'Ouf and Mohammad Abu Dawoud members of 'Adel Immam's acting group which came to Jordan to perform.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEPTEMBER 2001
Strategy Meeting on UNICEF's Programme of Cooperation with the Government of Jordan.
Amman (23 September, 2001)-The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Ministry of Planning jointly held a one-day meeting on Monday 24 September, 2001 to review the strategic directions of the new country programme of cooperation between UNICEF and the Jordanian Government for the (2003-2007) cycle.
Over 100 participants took part in the meeting and included all major governmental and non-governmental organisations, and youth representatives working with UNICEF. The meeting was also attended by senior UNICEF professionals and advisors from the UNICEF Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa.
In July UNICEF and the Ministry of Planning held a preparatory meeting to agree on the outline of the new Country Programme and the areas to be covered. As a result, a strategy paper was prepared and shared with all partners for their input.
During the meeting, the strategy paper wias discussed. The strategy paper was to be finalised taking into consideration all the comments received.
During the year 2001, UNICEF and the Ministry of Planning, in co-operation with all other partners, will build on this strategy paper to develop a Master Plan of Operations with detailed project plans and activities. This Master Plan will be signed with the Ministry of Planning in the last quarter of that year.
UNICEF programmes have continued to focus on the well being of children. As the situation and position of both women and children have improved, UNICEF -supported- programmes have evolved from programmes addressing the survival of children to programmes addressing their development, protection and participation.
The new country programme will include programmes for early child development, child protection, adolescents, community empowerment and partnerships for monitoring and promoting the rights of children and women.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OCTOBER 2001
Global Movement For Children Recognition Ceremony
(Amman 30/10/01) As the only Arab member of the global Leadership Initiative, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah recognised on the 30th of October, supporters of the Global Movement for Children (GMC) at a ceremony organised by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Jordan.
"The success of the Movement in Jordan, particularly the "Say Yes for Children" campaign, was achieved through the tremendous advocacy and energy of an extensive network of people and organisations," said Misrak Elias, UNICEF Representative in Jordan.
Her Majesty was patron of the campaign in Jordan. She launched the campaign from the north-east Badia in May this year. Since then, 1,059,572 signatures were collected which means that every household in Jordan has said "Yes" to the 10 child rights principles on which the campaign is based.
Among the key actors in the Movement in Jordan are the "Say Yes" Steering Committee, the "Friends of Jordanian Children" advocacy group, and the private sector. They all took the lead and advocated for principles deemed necessary for improving the lives of children.
The Steering Committee encompasses a broad spectrum of 25 governmental and non-governmental organisations including the Ministry of Education (who collected the most signatures for the campaign), and the University of Jordan Community Service Office (which served as the campaign's nerve centre).
Funds, in-kind contributions, and signatures were collected in support of not only the campaign, but also of global and regional activities relating to the Movement. Jordanian youths were able to participate in regional and international events to represent and discuss issues concerning young people here.
At the ceremony, Her Majesty was presented with a special report "The Global Movement for Children: The Jordanian Experience" documenting the contributions made by all.
According to the report "The GMC in Jordan brought together people and organisations who believe that now is the time to take action for children." The document commends the Country's leadership, all the parties involved, and the partnerships forged " and the sheer will of so many in wanting to make this child rights campaign take on its true dimensions."
The "Say Yes for Children" campaign is the first activity of the GMC. The signatures collected will be presented to world leaders. The goal is to influence the commitments made by these leaders and hold them accountable for the promises they make to children.
A supplement detailing the Queen's work for children was also presented to Her Majesty by the UNICEF Representative.
The report highlights that "Her Majesty Queen Rania has played a decisive role as the fulcrum and driving force for the application of Jordanian policy promoting the well-being of children and youths."
Queen Rania bestowed specially made plaques embossed with the Movement's logo, upon 47 individuals and organisations for their support.
"Through the Global Movement for Children, new partnerships have been created and we hope that this dedication and positive energy will form the foundation for future actions for children," said Ms. Elias adding that UNICEF is committed to building on this experience and forging partnerships for protecting the rights of children by setting new goals and renewing commitments to Jordanian children for the coming years.
Arab and African Governments agree to accelerate action against the sexual exploitation of children.
(Rabat 26/10/01) Forty Arab and African countries agreed to accelerate action against the sexual exploitation of children by breaking the wall of silence on the issue and by increasing human and financial resources to overcome the increasing sexual exploitation of children throughout the region.
The Arab-African Forum Against Sexual Exploitation of Children, held in Rabat , Morocco from 24-26 October adopted a Declaration noting that among the key challenges that face the countries of the region the subject of sexual exploitation of children remains a taboo in many countries.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Minister of Women's Status, Family and Child Protection and Integration of Handicapped, Ms. Nezha Chekrouni emphasized the common features and causes faced by participating countries when tackling the issue of sexual exploitation of children. This, she said, facilitated settling regional priorities and will enable Arab and African countries to participate more effectively in the Second World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, to be held in Yokohama, Japan, 17-20 December 2001. She restated the active participation of civil society in the meeting.
Mrs Rima Salah, UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, said that the common position adopted will allow all the countries to break the silence on the sexual exploitation of children and to ensure that action is taken in the political, economic and social spheres. "We must commit ourselves to ensuring that children's rights to innocence and dignity are restored," she insisted.
The Declaration, adopted on the final day of the Forum - which brought together more than 250 delegates representing 40 Arab-African countries - renewed commitment to put an end to child sexual exploitation in the leadup to the Yokohama meeting.
The Declaration underscored the need for governments to harmonize national legislation with the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and ensure their enforcement. It urged countries to ratify and implement the two optional protocols related to the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography and the involvement of children in armed conflicts and ILO Convention 182 on the worst forms of child labour.
"The root causes of this calamity are poverty, illiteracy and inadequate educational systems, gender discrimination, cultural practices prejudicing children, such as mutilations," the Declaration stressed.
Discussions highlighted the fact that a great number of Arab and African countries are characterised by armed conflicts, war, military occupation and blockades. These conditions pave the way for the sexual exploitation of children. A critical concern raised by delegates was the close link between the sexual exploitation of children with HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.
Discussion over the three days recognised some advances made during the past years, including the commitment of political leadership at the highest levels, the existence of outlines of national plans of actions, the growing involvement of national and international NGOs working on the implementation of the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the progressive harmonization of national legislations with the Convention on the Rights of the Child
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOVEMBER 2001
None Issued!
DECEMBER 2001
Children Discuss Discrimination, Poverty, HIV/AIDS, and Conflict
Amman-"I need a make-up artist to fix my eyebrows!" declared 12 year old Raja when he was told that he would be going live on television in 15 minutes without the designated television anchor.
Raja and his team of eight had been prepared to be hosted on a children's programme to speak about their community service project for combating poverty on the occasion of the International Children's Day of Broadcasting (ICDB) celebrated in Jordan on Friday 14 December, 2001.
When the young children arrived at the studio in the early hours of the morning, they were told that they would have to host the show all by themselves as the programme announcer had been delayed. The youngsters were more concerned with the absence of a make-up artist than with the fact that they would be going live on the air for the first time in their lives. The UNICEF communication officer accompanying them was more nervous than they were!
The children took phone calls, responded to queries about their project, and even conducted a competition and gave out prizes as if they had been working in television for many years. The announcer made an appearance an hour later.
The young team then made its way to radio Jordan's English and Arabic language studios where they spent the remainder of the day- There, they met up with members of the children's parliament, Save the Children's project on partnership for change, volunteers from the University of Jordan Community Service Office, and the UNICEF youth group.
UNICEF Jordan had mobilised over 30 girls and boys and brought them together with radio, television and internet producers to strategize for ICDB and to choose which programmes the children wanted to work in. Children ranged from 11 to 16 years with one 20 year old.
"I've been taking Marijuana since 1990 and I don't regret it," said one caller as kids discussed the harmful effects of drugs on children.
"Well sir, you have been abusing a healthy body which God gifted you with, and no, Marijuana does not help your concentration," responded 15 year old Rawan when the addict began to promote the idea of taking drugs live on the radio.
Children interacted with the public as they spoke about discrimination, conflict, poverty and HIV/AIDS.
"Children are not the property of their parents," said one psychiatrist as he was being interviewed by children about domestic conflict and child abuse.
The young people also had the chance to become anchors as they read out the news in both languages and were invited to read out the News at Ten on television: sporting a white and blue UNICEF t-shirt 16 year old Hazim introduced a special report about ICDB and the events of that day live on television and afterwards read out the sports news.
Internet portals also gave the chance to young people to post their stories on the web and invited them to come to their offices to work with them for the day.
UNICEF Launches State of the World's Children Report 2001
Amman (11 December, 2001) -The State of the World's Children (SOWC) 2001 report was launched by Senator Subheih Ma'ani at a press conference held today at UNICEF House.
This year, the report focuses on leadership at all levels: the leadership that turned the commitments made at the 1990 World Summit for Children into actions that improved the lives of children and families, and the leadership that is still needed to ensure the right of every child to live in peace, health and dignity.
Leadership in Policy-Making
Highlighting models of leadership, two youths from the University of Jordan Community Service Office, spoke of the role both their Majesties play in enhancing, developing, and securing the rights of children in Jordan. Queen Rania was cited as a role model of leadership on behalf of children and a member of the Leadership Initiative.
Leadership by Individuals
The report stresses the importance of leadership at the level of individuals and agencies, organisations and alliances. It is in this context that the two youths, Bashar Abduljawad and Sura Khasawneh, presented the report to Senator Ma'ani, who is an example of individual and private sector leadership.
Senator Ma'ani , a member of the Friends of Jordanian Children advocacy group, is a staunch advocate of the rights of both women and children. She has donated, fundraised and collected signatures for the Global Movement for Children of which the "Say Yes for Children" campaign was the first global activity.
"As a friend of Jordanian Children, I believe it is the duty of each an every one of us to secure the needs of our children with the help of the private sector which contributes greatly in supporting and improving the lives of our children," the Senator said at the launch and in the presence of UNICEF Representative in Jordan Misrak Elias.
Corporate Leadership
Leadership, as the document indicates, includes corporations and their support in the world's fight against HIV/AIDS. In Jordan, private sector companies, such as Jordan telecom, symbolise corporate leadership-It was one of the main sponsors of the Global Movement in Jordan.
"We are interested in supporting all stages of a child's development. We have given students the opportunity to train at our company and then helped them find jobs," sad Raslan Deiranieh ,Chief Financial Officer at Jordan telecom.
The Global Movement for Children
The two students spoke about the leadership roles generated from the Movement and the leading role the Community Service Office had in the "Say Yes for Children Campaign"-A theme underlined in the report.
Volunteers took a leading role as they went out in their communities and advocated for children's rights, collected and tallied signatures.
"I feel that we have reached an age where we should take responsibility and contribute to our society and country. I participated in the Say Yes campaign and volunteered in many organisations as part of my community service work-The experience that I have gained has given me insight into my very own society and taught me how to better serve my country," said Khasawneh to the audience.
Elias noted that it was only through the joining of forces with leaders in diverse sectors in the country including grass root NGOs (represented at the conference by Abu -Thur AlGhafari Society head Fawaz Mazra'awi), the media, adolescents, the private sector and public sector, that 20 percent of the Kingdom was mobilised and "said yes for children."
Meeting Goals-Strategic Leadership
The SOWC 2001 concludes that now is the turn of those who hold in their hands the greatest power-and the greatest responsibility-to bring about change and meet unfulfilled challenges: The gender gap in education, access to safe drinking water, and malnutrition.
Those who would call themselves leaders must give all that is needed-no less will do-to create a world fit for children.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
