WORLD FIT FOR US (Poem)
Statement generated by children from around the world who attended the Children's summit in New York this May 2002
WORLD FIT FOR US:
We are the world's children.
We are the victims of exploitation and abuse.
We are street children.
We are the children of war.
We are the victims and orphans of HIV/AIDS.
We are denied good-quality education and health care.
We are victims of political, economic, cultural, religious and
environmental discrimination.
We are children whose voices are not being heard: it is time we are
taken into account.
We want a world fit for children, because a world fit for us is a world
fit for everyone.
In this world,
We see respect for the rights of the child:
governments and adults having a real and effective commitment to
the principle of children's rights and applying the Convention on the
Rights of the Child to all children, safe, secure and healthy
environments for children in families, communities, and nations.
We see an end to exploitation, abuse and violence:
laws that protect children from exploitation and abuse being
implemented and respected by all; centres and programmes that
help to rebuild the lives of victimised children.
We see an end to war:
world leaders resolving conflict through peaceful dialogue instead of
by using force; child refugees and child victims of war protected in
every way and having the same opportunities as all other children;
disarmament, elimination of the arms trade and an end to the use
of child soldiers.
We see the provision of health care:
affordable and accessible life-saving drugs and treatment for all
children; strong and accountable partnerships established among
all to promote better health for children.
We see the eradication of HIV/AIDS:
educational systems that include HIV prevention programmes; free
testing and counselling centres; information about HIV/AIDS freely
available to the public; orphans of AIDS and children living with
HIV/AIDS cared for and enjoying the same opportunities as all other children.
We see the protection of the environment:
conservation and rescue of natural resources; awareness of the
need to live in environments that are healthy and favourable to our
development; accessible surroundings for children with special needs.
We see an end to the vicious cycle of poverty:
anti-poverty committees that bring about transparency in
expenditure and give attention to the needs of all children;
cancellation of the debt that impedes progress for children.
We see the provision of education:
equal opportunities and access to quality education that is free and
compulsory; school environments in which children feel happy
about learning; education for life that goes beyond the academic
and includes lessons in understanding, human rights, peace,
acceptance and active citizenship.
We see the active participation of children:
raised awareness and respect among people of all ages about
every child's right to full and meaningful participation, in the spirit of
the Convention on the Rights of the Child; children actively involved
in decision-making at all levels and in planning, implementing,
monitoring and evaluating all matters affecting the rights of the child.
We pledge an equal partnership in this fight for children's rights.
And while we promise to support the actions you take on behalf of
children, we also ask for your commitment and support in the
actions we are taking - because the children of the world are misunderstood.
We are not the sources of problems; we are the resources that are
needed to solve them.
We are not expenses; we are investments.
We are not just young people; we are people and citizens of this
world. Until others accept their responsibility to us, we will fight for
our rights.
We have the will, the knowledge, the sensitivity and the dedication.
We promise that as adults we will defend children's rights with the
same passion that we have now as children.
We promise to treat each other with dignity and respect.
We promise to be
open and sensitive to our differences.
We are the children of the world, and despite our different
backgrounds, we share a common reality.
We are united by our struggle to make the world a better place for all.
You call us the future, but we are also the present.
