Voices of Heads of State and Government

"We know how to find money for military expenses. Now we have to find money for our children. ...It's time for us to find money for education for every child living in this world."

- Nambar Enkhbayar,
Prime Minister of Mongolia

"Children must have the right to a safe childhood. Its most important elements are love and care. Children, girls as well as boys, must have the right to enjoy their childhood. Children must have the right to receive instruction, gain knowledge and learn skills for adulthood. I would particularly emphasize education for girls. Often it is not considered as important as the education for boys or is denied in practice because of household chores or other responsibilities."

- Tarja Halonen,
President of Finland

"Let me ask you a question. When you remember the thousands, the tens and hundreds of thousands of children beggars, labourers, fighters, children who are victims of family violence and sexual abuse, can you say, do you have the courage to say: we are doing everything we can,, and this world cannot be better than it is, not even for children? I cannot say that, nor dare I say it. I am convinced that this world can and must be better for the children!"

- Stjepan Mesic,
President of Croatia

"Let every nation gathered in this august forum depart with a determination to transform fine rhetoric into resolute action; to translate the universal consensus into early and effective action within our sovereign borders."

- P.J. Patterson,
Prime Minister of Jamaica

"In solving the urgent issues that afflict children, I urge you not to wait another decade and, instead, to assume today the commitment to mobilize conscience, will and resources to benefit those who represent the future of our nations."

- Vincente Fox,
President of Mexico