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http://www.acpp.org/education/spevents/0604.htm June 2003 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF INNOCENT CHILDREN VICTIMS OF AGGRESSION This international day acknowledges the pain suffered by children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse - and affirms a commitment to protect the rights of children. As one example of the extent of the problem, a UNICEF report on child maltreatment in Latin America and the Caribbean records the shocking statistic that: "Every year ... no fewer than six million children and adolescents [in the region] are the objects of severe aggressions and 80 thousand die from violence that breaks out within the family." A young Nicaraguan child has said: "Adults go to war, but they don't realise what damage they are doing to children". The child is quoted by Graca Machel in an inspiring report, The Impact of Armed Conflict on Children. The Report was presented at the International Conference on War Affected Children in Winnipeg, Canada. While this was a major international conference it was also attended by 50 young people from Canada and from war-torn countries. Child abuse is now in the spotlight of global attention, and much is being done to protect children around the world. One key factor in this is the process of international negotiation and action centred around the Convention on the Rights of the Child. To explore this theme further visit the Unicef web site and the UN Human Rights site. Key thoughts for reflection: ... recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable right of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world ... ... childhood is entitled to special care and assistance ... ... the child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding ... ... the child should be fully prepared to live an individual life in society, and brought up in the spirit of the ideals proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations, and in particular in the spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality and solidarity ... ... the child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth ... Convention on the Rights of the Child - Preamble Izvor: http://www.intuition-in-service.org/main/unitednations/specialdays/june.html Last updated 26 March 2003