|
|
|
| Press Release
Region's Leaders Commit to Investing More and Better for Children
Kathmandu - Tuesday, 22 May 2001
The inaugural session of the South Asian High Level Meeting on
Investing in Children began in Kathmandu with the lighting of a
traditional lamp by a young girl and boy, a Nepali expression of
hope. Attending the meeting were more than 200 participants including
corporate leaders, child activists and high level government delegations
from seven south Asian countries.
In his inaugural address, Hon. Chakra Prasad Bastola, Minister
for Foreign Affairs of Nepal, expressed confidence that the meeting
will make tangible differences in the lives of children in terms
of their health, education and safety.
Addressing the inaugural session Mr. Kul Chandra Gautam, Deputy
Executive Director of UNICEF, challenged the countries of the region
to allocate more resources and utilize the existing resources more
effectively on programmes aimed at fulfilling the human rights of
children. He suggested that resource limitations are less of a problem
in the region than the manner in which decisions about resource
allocations are made.
The star speaker, fourteen year old Kelzang Dorjee of Bhutan, representing
the 17 Change Makers, girls and boys from 7 South Asian countries,
affirmed that they are intent on changing the world for children
in the region. He congratulated the corporate leaders for listening
and pledging the support of the private sector for concrete plans
developed by children. He said that a corporate leader from the
Maldives has taken the first step by pledging to provide computers,
including internet connections and a website to establish a network
of Change Makers and other youth activists around the world.
Representing the corporate leaders, Mr. Ken Balendra, Chairman,
Bank of Ceylon said that the South Asian business community recognises
that children can be equal partners and therefore is prepared to
invest in them as long as the governments are willing to recognize
the corporate sector and children as partners.
H.E. Nihal Rodrigo Secretary General, SAARC stated that the gap
between commitment and achievement, promise and performance for
the well-being of children must be bridged.
In the keynote address Hon. Ram Sharan Mahat, Minister of Finance
of Nepal highlighted the need for children's participation in decisions
that affect their lives.
The first plenary session of the main meeting was also addressed
by H.E. Tan Sri Ajit Singh, Secretary General, Boao Forum for Asia
and former Secretary General of ASEAN, who stressed that partnerships
between government and civil society are needed to transform the
lives of children. He also stressed that solutions to Asian problems
must be found within Asia, and can be addressed through cooperation
among Asian business leaders, economists and other partners.
The inaugural session was followed by statements by Heads of Delegation
of the seven countries. Hon. Dr. Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir, State Minister
for Planning, Bangladesh, Hon. Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup, Minister of
Health and Education, Bhutan, Hon. Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, Minister
for Human Resource Development of India, Hon. Rashida Yoosuf, Minister
for Women Affairs and Social Security, Maldives, Hon. Gopal Rai,
Minister of State of Finance of Nepal, Hon. Farid Rahman, Minister
for Planning, NWFP, Pakistan and Hon. Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Minister
of Plan Implementation of Sri Lanka. Each speaker outlined the progress
made for children in their respective countries and the challenges
that remain.
The meeting hosted by HMG Nepal and UNICEF Regional Office for
South Asia is part of a series of consultations between children,
corporate leaders and government decision makers of the seven SAARC
countries aimed at increasing the level of investment in children.
The meetings which began on 19 May 2001, are due to conclude on
23 May 2001.
For Further Information please contact:
Robert Tyabji
Regional Communication Adviser, UNICEF ROSA, Kathmandu. Tel: 417082
UNICEF Communication and Information Officers in Bangladesh, Bhutan,
India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
|
|
|
