April 25 2002
Time for action, time for change
An interview about the importance of the UN Special Session on Children
25/04/2002 - SOS Children's Villages Jordan is one of the many NGOs who have been contributing a great deal at national level in the run-up to the "Special Session on Children". Lina Kopty* talks about her expectations of the event. She is especially concerned about growing violence and its impact on children. She thinks that in today's world, adults will have to work hard to prove to the children that they take things seriously.
What are your expectations of the Special Session and why do you think it is important ?
This "Special Session on Children" is supposed to follow up the 1989 "UN Convention on the Rights of the Child", and the 1990 "World Summit for Children". Many developments have taken place since then. With the rescheduling of the UN Special Session on Children following the dramatic events of September 11, the whole world is now expecting a lot from the decisions made at this session. Therefore, the session should prove to the world that it is serious about decision-making and implementing child protection against all terror and war and equally in times of peace.
This Special Session is very important as it will change the concept of the future world for children, it will put the world in front of a big screen making everyone understand and visualize the reality that humanity is living in. How safe is it? Is there still a chance for children to live their childhood ? What changes need to be made? This session is very important to show that the time for action and not just words has come, and that each and everyone of us has a responsibility to try to end poverty, violence, terror, discrimination, illnesses, to fight HIV/AIDS, all kinds of abuse and the silent killer, malnutrition.
What do you expect from the outcome of the Special Session?
This session should prove that its decisions will be implemented, not only because it will be a UN decision, but because of the need for a better future for all nations, as a force of change in the lives of children in a world that is changing continuously. The children of the world should be able to trust the decisions made by international organisations. They should be working together for the sake of children. Accountability is needed.
Where would you like to see progress made at the Special Session?
I expect dedication to implement the rights of children. Since September 11, children around the world have been living in an insecure world. A world of war. Terror is prevailing almost everywhere. Where will this lead us in the future? How are we educating our children to enable them to practise peace once they are the decision-makers ? All the issues on the agenda are important and are all intertwined, allowing none to be missed, but what we need to see is an action plan that will live up to the promises made to children at this session. The implementation plan needs to be adhered to and seriously followed up. It is high time that we respect our future generations all over the world. I believe globalisation has come way ahead of the total implementation of child rights, making it hard for them to believe in the adult world. This session should work hard to prove them wrong.
*Lina Kopty is the National Director of SOS Children's Villages Jordan. She is a member of the governmental delegation of Jordan to the Special Session, headed by King Abdullah and Queen Rania.
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