Voices of NGOs

"It is essential that all future policies and strategies are based on the recognition of children as holders of rights."

"We need to recognize that all economic policies - however distant they seem from children - have an impact on them, whether for good or ill."

- Burkhard Gnärig,
Chief Executive Officer,
International Save the Children Alliance

"The continued institutionalization of children is a symptom of increased social stress, linked to poverty and social exclusion."

- Diana Nistorescu,
Executive Director of the Federation of NGOs active in child protection in Romania

"I am not prepared to believe that the world is so poor that it cannot ensure freedom and education for its children."

- Kailash Satyarthi,
Global March Against Child Labour

"It is crucially important to recognize that chronic poverty remains the biggest obstacle to promoting the welfare of children in many developing countries. The international development goals and strategies agreed upon at major United Nations conferences, in particular the Millennium Summit, should be continuously pursued by the international community in order to assist developing countries in eradicating poverty and promoting the well-being of children."

"This General Assembly Special Session is different. The United Nations has recognized the important role that civil society organizations play. The presence and participation of children also made a substantial difference and affirmed the CRC call for children's participation. In partnership with governments, UN agencies and others, NGOs provide vital services -- including health care, education, and protection. Perhaps even more importantly, NGOs are critical to monitoring and advocacy for social and legal reforms promoting equality, freedom and justice."

"This is [a] big difference from the World Summit for Children, when very few NGOs were invited to 'listen'."

- Mary Diaz,
Co-Chair, NGO Steering Group on SSC of NGO Committee on UNICEF

"[In Sierra Leone] our children up to 18 years old have not had the experience of peace."

"I am saying that we may have as many as 17,000 teenage boys and girls out of school and roaming the streets. Will that constitute foundation for sustainable peace?"

- Christiana Thorpe,
- Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE)

"War-affected children are at greater risk to grow into [a] generation of adults more committed to violence than to peace."

- Maja Uzelac, NGO speaker from Croatia

"How can we call ourselves developed or developing nations if we do not value the lives of children and protect them from all forms of sexual abuse and exploitation?"

"I have been speaking to you for three minutes. In that time, children have died from hunger, disease, war, abuse and neglect."

- Josephine de Linde,
Chairperson, ECPAT International

"For many NGOs, the continuing violence, abuse and exploitation experienced by children is an unacceptable reality in a world of high tech education and a $30 trillion global economy."

"No state can be complacent about levels of violence to children."

- Dean Hirsch
President, World Vision International

"Governments must redefine HIV/AIDS as a young people's problem, especially adolescents girls."

- Marjorie Kabuya,
Christian Children's Fund, Kenya

"On the children's behalf, I urge that the World Fit for Children include an explicit statement of commitment to establish and implement, as a matter of urgency, an effective comprehensive juvenile justice system."

- Teresita Silva
Childhope Asia Philippines