Young people in East Asia and Pacific Region push for improved quality of education and proper sex educationBANGKOK, Thailand, 7 April 2005 —Children and young people from countries in East Asia and the Pacific urge all stakeholders to address serious problems concerning quality and access of education and inadequate sex education— two concerns that, if resolved, could improve the lives of millions of children and youth in the region. The decision was derived from 40 children and youth representatives aged 11-19 from 20 countries in the East Asia and the Pacific region (Cambodia, China, Fiji, Indonesia, Kiribati, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Timor Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Vietnam), who attended a three-day Children and Young People’s Forum in conjunction with the 7th East Asia Pacific Ministerial Consultations on Children recently held in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Inadequate quality and high cost were identified as major underlying constraints in education. “There are some young people in my country who stop their education after secondary school,” said 17-year-old Foo Shyh Hua from Malaysia. “One of the reasons is expensive cost of education. There are not enough places in local universities and it is too expensive to go to private colleges. I also feel that there is a difference in the quality of education in urban areas, compared to that in rural areas,” he continued. Many young participants suggested the incorporation of life skills education into regular school curriculum, which they insisted could make a child capable of informed decisions. Violence in schools also raised great concerns among the young participants. This creates a danger that affects school-going children, more specifically school girls. “School girls on their way to school face dangers such as harassment, bullying and therefore drop out”, said Ms. Anupama Rao Singh, Regional Director of UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Region Office. She also highlighted gender disparities in terms of education, as shown in the low enrolment rate for girls in secondary school in the region. Apart from the quality and access of education, sex education was extensively debated among the young participants due to the rapid increase in HIV/AIDS new infection among young people in the region. According to UNICEF statistics, approximately 6,000 young people around the world are infected with HIV/AIDS everyday. To counter this alarming trend, equipping young people with adequate and effective sex education was unanimously identified as one of the ways to slow down the widespread of HIV/AIDS among young people. “Young people’s lives can be spared from HIV/AIDS if proper sex education is given,” said 18-year-old Tanes Rianglaem from Thailand. “Peer education is one good way. It’s about positive peer pressure to do the right thing.” Among the top-five major concerns identified by the young representatives also include child and youth participation, cultural changes and media, and employment opportunities for young people, particularly in the Pacific where the tension on the issue of young people’s employment opportunities is significantly mounting. The Children and Young People’s Forum extracted many valuable contributions and ideas from the young participants, who wanted their views to be acknowledged and taken into serious consideration by the respective governments as far as children and young people are concerned. “I hope that all the ideas we have contributed will not just remain on paper. I hope that our contributions can be translated into concrete actions so we can make life better from all children in the region,” urged 15-year-old Tipsuda Chadee from Thailand. “A region fit for children is a region fit for everyone. We are the future and we are also the present. So please give us full opportunities to make a difference in our world with our participation, ideas and suggestions,” states the final plea of the 40 international young representatives. Notes to editors: Since the World Summit for Children, held in New York in 1990, seven East Asia and Pacific Ministerial Consultations have been held. By bringing together high level leadership within the region every two years, a consensus to tackle issues related to children has been forged and feeds into the development of National Plans of Action for Children. The 7th East Asia and Pacific Ministerial Consultations was organized in Siem Reap, Cambodia during 23-25 March 2005. It highlighted three major concerns facing children and young people in regions, viz. disparities, adolescences, child survival, growth and development. A three-day Children and Young People’s Forum were held prior to the Ministerial Consultations, bring about 40 young representatives from 20 countries in the East Asia and Pacific region. For more information, please contact
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