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Violence To 10 year old Nancy, poverty was her harsh introduction to violence. Being raised in the ghetto forced her to attain and maintain a job, even if she was being sexually abused. Violence For 8 year old Enrique, the constant images of war within his country has led him to become emotionally unstable. Violence In school, Sarita is constantly discriminated physically by having paper thrown at her or emotionally, by being teased by her peers because she is a visible minority making her feel less than human. Violence What about 14 year old Sidiki who was born with HIV and AIDS. Society has neglected him, creating a feeling of abandonment. Not a feeling someone should feel at any age – especially a child! All these situations exist throughout the world. It is OUR responsibility as a global community to act on behalf of the children that are differently abled, listen for the deaf and speak for those without a voice. Thanks to the UN, NGOs and to all organizations and individuals; especially to Professor Pinheiro for leading this Study and allowing children and young people to participate to end violence against children. Violence exists and is a reality. We cannot keep trivializing and denying it. During this study, we, the children and young people, have seen, heard and testified to the kinds of violence that children are victims of. In families, the children are beaten violently for behaving badly, disrespecting their adults and teachers, for stealing etc. In school, the students are victims of physical violence, injuries, humiliation for being late, mistakes, missed homework, chatting and discussions among children, disobeying rules, unexcused absences etc. In places of work and apprenticeships, children are victims of violence for not completing their tasks, being late in responding to instructions, they work for long hours, experience physical/sexual violence, have unequal wages etc. In the streets, children are victims of violence of different types, abused, violence committed by police such as blackmailing, beaten, exploited by adults and beaten until they bleed when they make mistakes. Sexual violence has become very common, as well as in families, in schools and in institutions as well as in the streets. The indifference towards incest, pedophilia and prostitution of children has taken on worrying proportions. Children are enrolled in armed forces against their rights, and against the international conventions ratified by their countries. Certain categories of children, like girls, children that are differently abled, children affected by HIV and AIDS, and children of different races and castes are the objects of discrimination and exclusion, which makes them more vulnerable. Traditional and religious practices like Female Genital Mutilation, dowry, child marriage, bonded labour, exploitation of children in the worst forms of labour, are the worst forms of violations of children’s rights and are the most common. Things that we should all be conscious of from today on, are corporal punishment, sexual violence, exploitation in the workplace, children in conflict with the law, children affected by war, traditional marriages like forced marriages, FGM, bonded labour and violence in the families that compromise our future. Considering the amplitude of this violence and the severe and dramatic consequences, which range from trauma to the loss of human life by causing injuries, physical handicap, psychological consequences, and children becoming perpetrators of violence, abandonment and social breakdown, juvenile delinquency, health problems and suicide, we the children, no longer tolerate the excuses made by the perpetrators. Everyone from governments, families, police, communities, the media and children and young people themselves – have a responsibility to stop and prevent all violence against children. As responsible citizens everyone has one’s own duty or responsibility towards the society in which we live. Each one in this world has to contribute for the betterment of their world and make it a best place for everyone to live in peace, harmony and to exercise their rights. We our experts of our own lives. In many ways, we are the victims of violence. As a major right in the UNCRC, participation is our right. We are capable of expressing what is right and what is not and we can even help in implementation and monitoring of the government’s work. Although, almost all the countries have ratified the UNCRC, children’s and young people’s participation is discouraged. There are no excuses for violence against children, not even traditional practices and customs. Government First and foremost, the Government has its duty to incorporate violence against children recommendations into its National Plans, form new legislations, and ensure children’s participation in decision-making at every levels, concerning children. Governments need to ensure that they facilitate the re-education of the society on how to take care of and protect children, using children’s rights as guidance for the things that they can do and cannot do to a child. Governments must create a vast and accessible network of child protection in their countries, ensuring that every child, no matter who they are or what they do, has access to a source of help. UN and NGOs UN Agencies and NGOs should promote Study recommendations including support for the Special Representative, disseminating comprehensive information on the study on violence against children and providing support to local NGOs in implementing study recommendations or in working towards eliminating violence against children. Children and young people Children and young people should be further empowered, continue to be involved in decision making process, intensify advocacy and lobby with decision makers and - we must take direct action ourselves to end violence against children. Media and Private Sector Media and private sectors should work by keeping in mind children’s rights. They should conduct more positive programmes portraying violence against children and giving them voices. Media has the power to show the reality of violence against children and also the responsibility to work together as an international network – for and WITH children, Families and Communities Families and communities must be taught how to discipline their children in a child friendly manner without demeaning or exposing them to harmful and humiliating punishment. (Other) Violence must be viewed through the perception of the victim who must have the right to counter act actions and situations that they find offensive. We recommend that immediate actions must be undertaken to change behaviors and attitudes towards all children. Conclusion Imagine a world without violence. How many of our global problems will then be far off? The UN Study on violence against children is not exposing today its finalization, but the starting point towards a worldwide, complex, maybe tough process of ending: abuse, exploitation, trafficking, neglect, patronizing, mental violence and child labour. It is the right moment, to find the roots of violence against children in our home countries, if we haven’t by now. It is now the right moment for you to admit that harmful practices against children need to be eliminated. It is now the time for one of you to remember that you had a childhood, that maybe you are a mother or a father. Take a second and ask yourself: What kind of life do I want for my child? – if you are thinking about a bright future, an open-minded, equal and fair society, it means you can, and hopefully will change something for all of us. It is, last but not least, the moment that we ask for what’s been our right from birth: our right to survival, dignity, health, development and participation; our right to be protected from violence against children. We the children and young people need your support to end violence. We can do it – but only with your support. We must stop believing that violence equals power. How could it, when it takes away every hope, happiness and safety each time it is committed? The clock is ticking, every minute counts. Progress awaits and hurting children hurts our world.