UNICEF Says Giving Young People A Constructive Role Is Essential to
Their Development – And to A More Cohesive, Peaceful World
MEXICO CITY / BRUSSELS, 11 December 2002 – Asserting that tens of millions of
children around the world feel disconnected from political institutions and
lack trust in their governments, UNICEF said today that children must be given
more of a voice and more ways to participate in decisions affecting their
lives.
“In a world wounded by conflict and divided by poverty it is absolutely
essential that children be embraced, listened to, and given a role in crafting
a better future for themselves,” said Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of
UNICEF. “Enabling children and adolescents to participate constructively in
their communities and nations is crucial to nurturing their inherent optimism
and preparing them for a constructive and meaningful adulthood.”
Launching UNICEF’s flagship annual report, The State of the World’s
Children 2003, Bellamy said surveys carried out on four continents over
the past three years with a base sample of 40,000 children had made clear that
millions have doubts about the usefulness of voting as a method of improving
their lives and do not see government leaders as role models.
“Through these findings, children have told us something very important
about the values they are growing up with,” Bellamy said. “Our first response
must be simply to listen to what they’re saying, because in fact what they’re
saying is that we do not listen enough. Our second response must be to engage
children and adolescents, give them a positive role in issues affecting them,
and seize their special insights as well as their eagerness to help in creating
positive change.”
Bellamy said the recent surveys, coupled with UNICEF’s positive experience
involving children in its programs, had led the organization to devote its
flagship report to the subject. The State of the World’s Children 2003
examines the largely unexplored issue of “child participation” – that is, the
degree to which children and young people are enabled to constructively engage
in issues that affect their lives. The report asserts that participation of
children is essential to preparing them for the responsibilities they will
assume as adults, as well as to more cohesive societies.
“Through participation at early ages in issues that concern them – far from
promoting anarchy or disrespect for authority, or undermining parental
authority – we see a generation of young people who are more respectful and
concerned about their rights and the rights of others,” the report states.
The report also asserts that there is a serious downside to leaving children
out. It cautions that when children are excluded from the process of decision-making
and are provided few opportunities to engage constructively in matters that
directly affect their lives as they mature, they fail to develop vital skills,
including the to ability express themselves, negotiate differences, make
responsible life choices, engage in positive dialogue or assume responsibility
for self, family, and community.
Beyond the long-term benefits to children themselves and the societies they
grow to lead, State of the World’s Children 2003 finds that when children
are given an appropriate way to participate in adult decisions and action,
those decisions and actions tend to be more positive, more creative, more
energetic, and more fruitful.
“Children and adolescents have proved that when they are involved, they can
make a difference in the world around them. They have ideas, experiences and
insights that enrich adult understanding and make a positive contribution to
adult actions,” the report states.
It cites numerous examples of how children, when listened to and given a
chance to act, have been able to bring positive change in their communities.
Examples:
“I think society gains from young people and children’s participation
because of the freshness that children and young people bring to issues,”
Bellamy said. “They might not have the most feasible solutions all the time,
but they rarely just assume that it’s business as usual. So there are more
opportunities, broader ideas thrown on to the table. And from those
opportunities more success is possible.”
Bellamy noted that of the eight major goals adopted by the nations of the
world in 2000 – known as the Millennium Development Goals – six pertain to
children and will require sustained investment in children’s well-being. She
said that listening to children, understanding their unique perspectives, and
involving them in efforts to reach the Millennium Goals is crucial to success.
Most of the goals are set for 2015. But one, pertaining to improving
educational opportunity for girls, is set for 2005.
The UNICEF report argues that world leaders must tap young people and
recognize them as important resources. And it calls on governments to begin
teaching children democratic values in early childhood by expanding children’s
access to education and participation in civil society and government.
“If we fail to promote child participation from an early age, we are missing
an amazing opportunity to deepen democracy and human dignity around the world,”
Bellamy said. “That failure leaves young people with a sense of powerlessness
and exclusion from society – and that can carry a great cost.”
The UNICEF report points out 150 million children still suffer from
malnutrition, that 120 million school school-age children are not in school
(the majority girls), and that 6,000 children and young people are infected
with HIV every day. The report argues that engaging children and young people
and including them in the decision-making processes and in the prevention
effort that affect their lives is essential to addressing these problems.
“Listening to the opinions of children does not mean simply endorsing their
views,” the report notes. “Rather, engaging them in dialogue and exchange
allows them to learn constructive ways of influencing the world around them.
The social give and take of participation encourages children to assume
increasing responsibilities as active, tolerant and democratic citizens in
formation.”
About the international launch in Mexico City
Bellamy launched The State of the World’s Children 2003 in Mexico
City today, where she also took part in an inter-generational dialogue that
brought Mexican children to the table with national leaders, including
President Vincente Fox.
Bellamy said that launching the report in the Americas was especially
appropriate because the region has been a leader in recognizing and
implementing child rights, including the right of children to participate in
all matters affecting them.
“Latin America has shown outstanding leadership when it comes to listening
to and respecting the views of children,” Bellamy said. “I am especially
grateful to President Fox for his commitment to children’s rights and for
showing his nation how important and valuable it can be to engage and involve
children in building a better future.”
About the European launch in Brussels
In Brussels, the report was launched today in conjunction with UNICEF
Belgium's 50th anniversary celebrations.
UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Kul Gautam led a discussion on child
participation with the help of young people from Benin, Congo, Italy, Namibia,
the Netherlands, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and Belgium taking part. The
children shared their perspectives and ideas at an event called,
"Children, Actors of Change." Also taking part were Vanessa Redgrave,
UNICEF Special Representative for the Performing Arts, and leading political
figures from Belgium and the European Parliament.
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Broadcast media may order the SOWC video b-roll at
http://www.unicef.org/broadcast/brolls/sowc2003/index.html
For additional information and interviews with UNICEF experts,
please contact:
Alfred Ironside, UNICEF Media
New York & Mexico City (212) 326-7261
Wivina Belmonte, UNICEF Media
Geneva & Brussels (4179) 204-2345
Mitchie Topper, UNICEF Media
New York (212) 303-7910
Salvador Herencia, UNICEF Media
Panama City & Mexico City (507) 616-3159
Catherine Langevin, UNICEF Media
Mexico City Tel.: (52-55) 52-02-32-33, ext. 203 / Cell: (52-55) 044-55
2141-0711
Monica Sayrols, UNICEF Media
Mexico City (52-55) 5202-3233, ext. 207
Kate Donovan, UNICEF Media
Mexico City Cell: (001) 646-207-5182