Submitted by crinadmin on
Speech of Mirna Sagrario Suazo, aged 16 years, from Honduras, at the
Official Session of the 2nd PrepCom.
New York, 1 February 2001
Good afternoon, distinguished ladies, gentlemen and young people who
honour us with your presence.
I would like to begin by thanking you, on behalf of a group of 50
children from 26 different countries who participated in the pre-
PrepCom workshop on 26-27 January, for giving me the opportunity to
share with you some of the key messages which came out of our
discussions on the draft Outcome document during this preparatory
workshop. Following discussions in regional and sub-regional groups
and then an analysis by the whole group, we elaborated five key
messages which are: poverty, mental and physical health,
participation, war, education and awareness of children’s rights.
By way of example, I would like to share with you what is happening
in my region – Latin America and the Caribbean – and my own
experiences. In my region, the problems are similar to those in other
regions of the world, especially when the main problem is the poverty
which affects 600 million children around the world, as well as the
necessity to reach certain levels in the areas of health, nutrition
and education which are so important for the survival and well-being
of children. We are also the victim of other problems due to the lack
of recreational spaces, child abuse, illegal work, sexually-
transmitted diseases especially AIDS which is destroying our youth
and leaving many children orphaned.
Faced with this, it is important that governments together with civil
society in countries affected by poverty commit themselves to helping
children. That in each and every one of your countries, these
commitments are translated into concrete action, that they become
advantageous to our full development and that we become a priority in
the social policies of every country so that every smile of a child
is a reflection of the gratitude of all our people.
Thank you very much.pdf: www.crin.org/docs/resources/publications/SCSegrarioen.pdf