UN Special Session
The Summit for Children
By Karen Fanning

		Audrey Cheynut, 17, from Monaco, was one of two young delegates who presented the official statement from the Children's Forum to the UN General Assembly on May 8. This was the first time that children have formally addressed the General Assembly. (Photo Courtesy of UNICEF/HQ02-0147/Suzan Markisz) Gabriela Azurduy Arrieta, 13, from Bolivia, was one of two Children's Forum delegates who presented the recommendations of the Forum to the UN General Assembly at the opening of the Special Session on Children on May 8. (Photo Courtesy of UNICEF/HQ02-0148/Suzan Markisz) A WORLD FIT FOR US Children's Forum Message 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 • centers, and programs that help to rebuild the lives of victimized children We see an end to war: • world leaders resolving conflict through peaceful dialogue instead of 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 programs, • free testing and counseling centers • 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 favorable 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.

For the first time in the history of the United Nations, kids had the floor. Recently, world leaders, child advocates, and young people from around the globe gathered in New York City for the first-ever UN Special Session on Children.

The session began with a historic presentation. For the first time, children addressed the UN on issues of substance. Two delegates to the Children's Forum, which met at the beginning of the week before the UN Special Session, presented their concluding statement: A World Fit for Us (See sidebar).

"We are united by our struggle to make the world a better place for all," said Gabriela Azurday Arrieta, 13, of Bolivia. "You call us the future, but we are also the present." Also presenting the document was Audrey Cheynut, 17, of Monaco. The two were chosen by their peers to make the presentation.

Special Session
During the three-day summit, representatives from more than 180 nations tackled a variety of issues, ranging from health care to education, as they developed goals for improving the lives of children worldwide.

The statistics speak for themselves—the world's children are in trouble, serious trouble. Nearly 11 million die before their fifth birthday, 300,000 are fighting in wars, and 150 million are starving.

Many of the 400 kids in attendance spoke candidly about how war, hunger, and disease had damaged their young lives. Seventeen-year-old Nawaz Ali of India described the dangerous journey children from his mountain village make each day in order to get an education.

"I remember quiet days when children walked to school peacefully, without fear," said Nawaz. "Now, sometimes, when we hear the loud booms, we must run for our lives."

Despite the violence and uncertainty young people face, experts agree that progress has been made in the past decade. More kids than ever attend school, and there are 3 million fewer deaths among children each year.

Still, the war on child labor, hunger, and disease has yet to be won. To put up their best fight, leaders will need to rely on the help of the world's children, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan told young people at the opening ceremony of the Children's Forum.

"Your presence here marks a new chapter in the history of the UN," Annan said. "So far, adults have called the shots, but now it's time to build the world with children. Your voices will be heard, I promise."