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Summary: The follow-up event to the Special Session on Children continued with a second round-table discussion, more side events and further statements from government representatives during the plenary meeting.
[12 December 2007] - The follow-up event to the Special Session on Children continued with a second round-table discussion, more side events and further statements from government representatives during the plenary meeting. Skip to: Report on the 2nd round-table discussion | Side event on children and religion | Statement of independent human rights institutions for children Report on the 2nd round-table discussion A loud round of applause greeted the opening statement from a Bangladeshi child at the beginning of the second round-table discussion on 'providing universal quality education as key to achieving the MDGs and as the first line of protection against abuse, exploitation and violence against children'. NGOs and children yesterday regretted not being given the opportunity to speak in the first round-table discussion. All State delegates who had requested to speak were able to do so. Ruita, from Bangladesh, said: “We regret that the round-table [yesterday] was not interactive enough and that we did not get the answers to our questions. “We would like that this round-table will offer the opportunity for dialogue and ideas and we are looking for more answers.” Sara Austin, of World Vision, also later added; “I would like to appeal to the co chairs and Member States to allow the opportunity for all NGOs and children to participate as we were invited to do so by the General Assembly.” Complaints had also privately been made to the General Assembly prior to the opening of the second round-table discussion, all of which prompted a more fruitful and interactive debate. Questions from child representatives during the session included: In response to the questions on education, the Finish ombudsman emphasised school should not just be about the acquisition of knowledge, but about play and the emotional development of the child too. Yanghee Lee, chair of the Committee on the Rights of the Child addressed the question of why more is not being done about universal primary education. She said: “Education is the answer to a lot of problems facing children in the world. The Committee thinks that universal primary education not enough, but that the quality of the education is also important. There needs to be better teaching training, and they need to be paid properly.” She noted there could also be a lot of hidden costs in schooling which need to be discarded. Sara Austin, of World Vision, asked: “Why does the vast majority of violence against children remain state authorised and socially condoned. Would the State be willing to enact legislation which forbids all violence against children?” In response, the Swedish delegate said: “Violence never creates confident and happy children.” Child labour link “We cannot achieve universal education unless all forms of child labour are banned. We cannot employ false arguments about cultural relativism or economics to excuse child labour.” A representative from SOS Children's Villages asked: “Why do governments spend so much money on arms and not on education? If you think education is expensive, try ignorance?” A young person from Norway who asked delegates to act on corporal punishment said: “Our value is more than being future adults. We are humans today. Being hit is not a good way to grow up. Being afraid does not promote learning. If you want to know what our best interests were, you should listen to us.” Dr. Balwant Singh from Save the Children in India said he was disappointed that children and NGOs were tucked away in a corner. “I hope you hear what children and we have to say. But I also noticed many member states’ seats are empty. Do they not take a World Fit for Children seriously? My hope is they are back in their countries creating a world fit for children. “If we were in a different setting I would actually ask all member states who have allocated the minimum recommended by the UN on education to stand up – but because of protocol I cannot do that.” Dr Singh went on to welcome the establishment of the Special Representative to the Secretary General on Violence Against Children, and called for the role to be a “truly independent one.” Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, Deputy Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, noted all questions asked concerned human rights. “There is no international provision that says that these rights do not apply to children. She said they would soon be launching a campaign against corporal punishment. She said: “Hitting adults is called assault. Hitting animals is called cruelty. But hitting children is for their own good”. The representative of Brazil echoed some of the complaints from children and NGOs regarding the format of the discussion which he felt did not provide for a real interactive dialogue, but he urged all present to try to work within the existing format. Meanwhile, Ana Georgina Ramos de Villalta from the NGO Red para la Infancia y la Adolescencia, El Salvador reiterated the request from NGOs and children to be listened to properly, “NGOs, girls and boys are struggling to get the floor. This is not participation.”
A representative from the MV Foundation, in India, urged delegates to consider the link between child labour and universal education.
The aim of the Network is to create a global forum using the Convention on the Rights of the Child as a central framework.
Helene Gosselin, a director of UNESCO, spoke about the draft Toolkit for Ethics Education Through Interfaith Learning which is currently being developed through the Interfaith Council on Ethics Education for Children.
It is hoped the toolkit will empower children to develop a strong sense of ethics through the principles of respect, empathy, responsibility and reconciliation.
Helene said: “Guidance on ethics and spiritual education is very much needed. In a multicultural society, we need to look at what and how we teach children.”
The joint objectives of the toolkit are:
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to build a culture of peace
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nonviolent resolution of conflicts
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respect for the other
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interreligious and intercultural dialogue.
New study
Rima Salah, Special Advisor to UNICEF, spoke about a study called 'The Child in World Religions', which is being prepared by UNICEF and the Network.
The project aims to research and document resources on teachings, approaches, perspectives and practices in world religions in relation to children.
Rima said she discovered the value of religion in promoting children's rights while working for UNICEF as a regional director in West and Central Africa.
“We met with more than 200 religious leaders to help solve the problem of polio. We realised that religious leaders have assets, moral and social. They can mobilise people from the pulpit and from the mosques.
“Religion is being hijacked, now more than ever, due to stereotypes and a lack of knowledge. That is why I believe this book is so important.
“A lack of knowledge is a real problem, and children need to have pride in what they believe in.”
Helene added it was important not to single out problems between Muslims and the West.
She said: “This goes against our whole philosophy. We do not target specific religions. It is important to prepare teachers so that they can be inclusive of all religions.”
For more information, visit: http://www.gnrc.net/en/ and www.ethicseducationforchildren.org