| This
page is background information, last updated in May
2002 and still available for reference. For the latest on
the Special Session on Children, please go to the Special
Session index.
Abigail’s Diary: Tuesday 7 May 2002
Today was not much of a ‘debating day’ for the
Children’s Forum. I would call it more of a ‘thinking
day’ for me.
 |
| We
had a tough discussion in our group on poverty |
For almost four hours in the morning, we just thought about
what side events we’ll be joining for the Special Session.
There were some working groups called for anyone interested,
and at first I decided to join the group for 'child-friendly
cities'. That session will only be open to a limited number
of people. I thought I might be one of the few chosen, but
then I remembered I will be going to another major event right
after that session, and there might be no time for me to rest
or have lunch. There are other events that I must attend as
the Philippines Delegate. So I have much to do.
After the working group session, we played some games from
different countries until it was time for lunch. Lunch was
the same kinds of sandwiches we had yesterday. It was a good
thing that Francis and Kelly from UNICEF brought me something
else to eat -- my fave, FRENCH FRIES! (Thanks!)
| Video
|
|
Abigail helps bring the Children's Forum to an end
- with a song.
View the Video
|
But while I was enjoying my frenchies, somebody called for
volunteers to share something from their country up on the
stage at the closing ceremony later. They planned to have
three performances from South-East Asia, and -- guess what
– I was going to be one of them. I would be singing!
Too bad I didn’t have my Filipino dress with me. I planned
to sing a song in Filipino. (I was going to sing an English
one, but they said it should be in one’s own language,
even though everybody might not understand it.)
After the performance planning, we went back to our own working
groups. We worked until 4 p.m., and then the performers were
called backstage. We started the closing ceremony at exactly
5 p.m. Nelson Mandela was there, watching us. People said
that I did nice work onstage. I thank the Lord for it. May
this voice that has been given to me be an inspiration for
people and an instrument for telling more about His goodness.
 |
| Party
time for me and my friends at the closing of the Children’s
Forum |
After the performance, we went back to UNICEF House because
we needed to use the computers to do some reporting for UNICEF
in Manila. We were already really hungry, so, right after
finishing our work, we went to a pizza restaurant and got
a big meal, even though it cost $6.49.
I’m starting to miss my friends in the Philippines,
the young people in our church. I also miss my Papa, Mama,
brother and sister. I just hope I can call them all. But it’s
okay. It’s enough that I know they are fine. God is with
us. Praise Him for all his blessings!
UNICEF supports the right of every child to be heard,
and therefore provides this opportunity for children to voice
their views and impressions of the United Nations Special
Session on Children. The report above reflects the opinions
of an individual child delegate to the Special Session and
does not represent the policies or positions of UNICEF.
|
|
|
