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Children's Forum Message
A WORLD FIT FOR US
We are the world's children.
We are the victims of exploitation and abuse.
We are street children.
We are the children of war.
We are the victims and orphans of HIV/AIDS.
We are denied good-quality education and health care.
We are victims of political, economic, cultural, religious
and environmental discrimination.
We are children whose voices are not being heard: it
is time we are taken into account.
We want a world fit for children, because a world fit
for us is a world fit for everyone.
In this world,
We see respect for the rights of the child:
- governments and adults having a real and effective
commitment to the principle of children's rights and
applying the Convention on the Rights of the Child
to all children,
- safe, secure and healthy environments for children
in families, communities,
and nations.
We see an end to exploitation, abuse and violence:
- laws that protect children from exploitation and
abuse being implemented and
respected by all,
- centres and programmes that help to rebuild the
lives of victimized children.
We see an end to war:
- world leaders resolving conflict through peaceful
dialogue instead of by using force,
o child refugees and child victims of war protected
in every way and having the same opportunities as
all other children,
o disarmament, elimination of the arms trade and an
end to the use of child soldiers.
We see the provision of health care:
- affordable and accessible life-saving drugs and
treatment for all children,
- strong and accountable partnerships established
among all to promote better health for children.
We see the eradication of HIV/AIDS:
- educational systems that include HIV prevention
programmes,
- free testing and counselling centres,
- information about HIV/AIDS freely available to
the public,
- orphans of AIDS and children living with HIV/AIDS
cared for and enjoying the same opportunities as all
other children.
We see the protection of the environment:
- conservation and rescue of natural resources,
- awareness of the need to live in environments that
are healthy and favourable to our development,
- accessible surroundings for children with special
needs.
We see an end to the vicious cycle of poverty:
- anti-poverty committees that bring about transparency
in expenditure and give attention to the needs of
all children,
- cancellation of the debt that impedes progress
for children.
We see the provision of education:
- equal opportunities and access to quality education
that is free and compulsory,
- school environments in which children feel happy
about learning,
- education for life that goes beyond the academic
and includes lessons in
understanding, human rights, peace, acceptance and
active citizenship.
We see the active participation of children:
- raised awareness and respect among people of all
ages about every child's right
to full and meaningful participation, in the spirit
of the Convention on the Rights
of the Child,
- children actively involved in decision-making at
all levels and in planning,
implementing, monitoring and evaluating all matters
affecting the rights
of the child.
We pledge an equal partnership in this fight for children's
rights. And while we promise to support the actions
you take on behalf of children, we also ask for your
commitment and support in the actions we are taking
- because the children of the world are misunderstood.
We are not the sources of problems; we are the resources
that are needed to solve them.
We are not expenses; we are investments.
We are not just young people; we are people and citizens
of this world.
Until others accept their responsibility to us, we
will fight for our rights.
We have the will, the knowledge, the sensitivity and
the dedication.
We promise that as adults we will defend children's
rights with the same passion that we have now as children.
We promise to treat each other with dignity and respect.
We promise to be open and sensitive to our differences.
We are the children of the world, and despite our different
backgrounds, we share a common reality.
We are united by our struggle to make the world a
better place for all.
You call us the future, but we are also the present.
***
Message drafted, debated, and agreed by the 400 Delegates
of the Children's Forum, part of the United Nations
Special Session on Children, 8-10 May 2002.
Delivered by children to the General Assembly of the
United Nations on Wednesday, 8 May 2002.
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