By the time you read this sentence, one person on our planet - perhaps a child - will die from starvation.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has alluded to these facts in a message to mark Sunday's observance of Universal Children's Day 2011 and has asked "how we can consider ourselves to be a civilized, progressive world" in the face of this reality.
Forty million children worldwide suffer abuse and neglect; 270 million children have no access to health care.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has alluded to these facts in a message to mark Sunday's observance of Universal Children's Day 2011 and has asked "how we can consider ourselves to be a civilized, progressive world" in the face of this reality.
And she has pledged that she will not tolerate any form of abuse against the children of Trinidad and Tobago.
"As a mother, grandmother and Prime Minister of this young Nation, I personally hold as unconscionable any and all acts of violence, abuse and neglect perpetrated against the children of Trinidad and Tobago," she said.
Her message is reproduced below:
"Today Trinidad and Tobago joins with the international community in commemorating, Universal Children’s Day and the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children.
"Established by the United Nations in 1954 and Arigatou International, UNICEF, and other partners in 2008, respectively; these international commemorations allow us as individuals and Nations to reflect on our track record in the care and protection of our children.
"With less than five years remaining for the deadline of the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, six of which specifically target children; how can we declare ourselves to be a civilized, progressive world when 40 million children below the age of 15 suffer from abuse and neglect; 270 million children, just over 14 per cent of all children in developing countries, have no access to health care services and every 3.6 seconds one person dies of starvation, many of them children.
"Here in Trinidad and Tobago it is not merely rhetoric when Government states that “our children are our future”. We are fully aware that how we care for and prepare our children today, directly impact their personal future aspirations and the long term development of our Nation and the World.
"As a mother, grandmother and Prime Minister of this young Nation, I personally hold as unconscionable any and all acts of violence, abuse and neglect perpetrated against the children of Trinidad and Tobago.
"To this end, this Government will continue to put in place key initiatives in our determination to create a society that is “fit for children”.
"While the Daniel Guerra Decree and the Children’s Authority Bill seek to protect our children, and the establishment of the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Child Development, the Children’s Life Fund and our interventions in the areas of education, health and social services underscore our dedication to allow our children to fulfill their God–given potential; the well-being of our children remain the collective responsibility of all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
"Today as the international community commemorates Universal Children’s Day and the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children, I call upon all countries to honour the obligations to which we have agreed under the Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC).
"On this Universal Children’s Day and World Day of Prayer and Action for Children, I give my personal commitment to the people and children of our beautiful country that no form of abuse against the children of Trinidad and Tobago will be tolerated and consideration will be given to all initiatives which may improve the life chances of our children.
"We can do no better service to children everywhere than to re-dedicate ourselves to their protection, care and to ensure that their lives are free from fear and that they can grow up in peace."
Her message is reproduced below:
"Today Trinidad and Tobago joins with the international community in commemorating, Universal Children’s Day and the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children.
"Established by the United Nations in 1954 and Arigatou International, UNICEF, and other partners in 2008, respectively; these international commemorations allow us as individuals and Nations to reflect on our track record in the care and protection of our children.
"With less than five years remaining for the deadline of the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, six of which specifically target children; how can we declare ourselves to be a civilized, progressive world when 40 million children below the age of 15 suffer from abuse and neglect; 270 million children, just over 14 per cent of all children in developing countries, have no access to health care services and every 3.6 seconds one person dies of starvation, many of them children.
"Here in Trinidad and Tobago it is not merely rhetoric when Government states that “our children are our future”. We are fully aware that how we care for and prepare our children today, directly impact their personal future aspirations and the long term development of our Nation and the World.
"As a mother, grandmother and Prime Minister of this young Nation, I personally hold as unconscionable any and all acts of violence, abuse and neglect perpetrated against the children of Trinidad and Tobago.
"To this end, this Government will continue to put in place key initiatives in our determination to create a society that is “fit for children”.
"While the Daniel Guerra Decree and the Children’s Authority Bill seek to protect our children, and the establishment of the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Child Development, the Children’s Life Fund and our interventions in the areas of education, health and social services underscore our dedication to allow our children to fulfill their God–given potential; the well-being of our children remain the collective responsibility of all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
"Today as the international community commemorates Universal Children’s Day and the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children, I call upon all countries to honour the obligations to which we have agreed under the Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC).
"On this Universal Children’s Day and World Day of Prayer and Action for Children, I give my personal commitment to the people and children of our beautiful country that no form of abuse against the children of Trinidad and Tobago will be tolerated and consideration will be given to all initiatives which may improve the life chances of our children.
"We can do no better service to children everywhere than to re-dedicate ourselves to their protection, care and to ensure that their lives are free from fear and that they can grow up in peace."
1 comment:
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