"A World Fit for Children". (Perspectives From The United Nations).

In May 2002, 60 heads of state and government came to New York for the first-ever United Nations Special Session on Children, which had been postponed due to the events of 9/11. This was the first time that the UN General Assembly called a special session to specifically address issues relating to children. Long-standing obstacles to children's well-being as well as newly emerging challenges were explored. ACEI's representatives joined those from numerous other nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) for this conference, the most important international conference on children in more than a decade. For the past two years, country delegations and NGOs have worked ceaselessly to craft a document, "A World Fit for Children," to represent a collaborative commitment to a series of goals to improve the health and well-being of young people.

A Children's Forum, based on the "Say Yes for Children" campaign, was held from May 5-7, prior to the Special Session on Children. Hundreds of children under age 18 from around the world participated. It was the first time that young people were given the opportunity to address the General Assembly. The Forum culminated in a march and candlelight ceremony, when the children demanded action from governments and civil society.

The outcome document, "A World Fit for Children," represents a global commitment to the following principles and objectives:

* Put children first

* Eradicate poverty; invest in children

* Leave no child behind

* Care for every child

* Educate every child

* Protect children from harm and exploitation

* Protect children from war

* Combat HIV/AIDS 

* Listen to children and ensure their participation

* Protect the Earth for the benefit of children.

Each of the above principles is further elaborated upon within the document. "A World Fit for Children" includes a declaration; a review of progress and lessons learned; a plan of action with goals, strategies, and actions; a statement about mobilizing resources; and a plan for follow-up actions and assessment. With regard to quality education, the document emphasizes that "education is a human right and a key factor to reducing poverty and child labor and promoting democracy, peace, tolerance, and development."

ACEI represents educators from many nations. The following statement from the outcome document has particular significance for all ACEI members:

We will therefore strengthen our national planning and ensure necessary coordination, implementation and resources. We will integrate the goals of this Plan of Action into our national government policies as well as national and subnational development programmes, poverty eradication strategies, multisectoral approaches and other relevant development plans, in cooperation with relevant civil society actors, including non-governmental organizations working for and with children, as well as children, in accordance with their age and maturity, and their families,

We strongly encourage all ACEI members to read the complete document of "A World Fit for Children," which can be found on UNICEF's Web site (www.unicef.org). It is our responsibility to take action in relation to these agreements. When these goals are achieved, as UN Secretary General Kofi Annan states, this will have been "more than a Special Session. It [will have been] a gathering about the future of humanity."

--Eileen Bayer and Nancy Brown, ACEI Representatives to the UN