In 1989, world leaders met and adopted The Convention on the Rights of the Child, and a year later in 1990 at a World Summit for Children they recognised the need to ensure that children`s rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that their lives are free from fear, and that they grow up in peace. These leaders marked the year 2000 as a target to improve the condition of all children the world over.
A recent report by U.N.I.C.E.F reveals that this dream is yet to be realized. The reality is that millions of children still continue to languish in abject poverty, conflict and economic chaos and confusion, and while some are maimed or killed in wars, others become orphans or their lives are claimed by HIV/AIDS. Up til now life for most children in the world is a tough struggle for survival. We have seen child soldiers in many parts of the world, and for these kids the future looks bleak. Surely in their dreams they are yearning for a better world that will accomadate them and give them tender loving care, and thus the opportunity to enjoy growing up as kids. Alas, the world has failed them. VERY SAD!
Besides, its not all bad news, because today there are more kids going to school than before, and the majority of the world`s kids have some opportunity to read and write. In the industrialized world, 98% of kids begin elementary school, compared to 56% in sub-saharan Africa. We still have to get to work. Much is yet to be done. 60% of kids not at school are girls. In Afghanistan, according to the report only 15% of girls go to school compared to 42% boys.
The report also points out that the world this century has seen a great development in certain areas, especially in the wiping away of certain deseases, and vacccination which has saved millions of children.
The world`s children need our attention because they are in danger, and a child in danger is a child who cannot wait.
Regards,
Omar.
-----Opprinnelig melding-----
Fra: Madiba Saidy <[log in to unmask]>
Til: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Dato: 7. desember 1999 20:56
Emne: OPPOSITION WINS IN GUINEA-BISSAU
> BBC NEWS
>Tuesday, 7 December, 1999, 16:24 GMT
>Opposition triumph in Bissau vote
>Doubts remain over the military's intentions
>
>
>
>The opposition in Guinea-Bissau has won control of parliament in elections
>intended to end six months of military rule.
>
>The electoral commission says final results from the parliamentary election
>held on 28 November give the opposition leader Kumba Yalla's Party for
>Social Renewal (PRS) 37 seats out of a total of 102.
>
>Parliamentary vote
>PRS - 37 seats
>Resistance Party - 27 seats
>PAIGC - 25 seats
>The governing party the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and
>Cape Verde (PAIGC) came third behind the Guinea-Bissau Resistance Party.
>
>The PAIGC, which had 62 seats in the previous assembly, will lose its
>long-dominant parliamentary position to the PRS, which won only 21 seats at
>the last elections.
>
>The head of the electoral commission Filomeno Lobo de Pina also confirmed
>that there will be a run-off election for president.
>
>Kumba Yalla failed to get the necessary votes for a first-round victory over
>Guinea-Bissau's transitional president, Malam Bacal Sanha.
>
>With a handful of results still to be counted Mr Yalla - who only narrowly
>lost the last presidential elections in 1994 - has 38% to Mr Sanha's 23%.
>
>No date has been yet set for the run-off.
>
>The elections are supposed to end a transitional period for the West African
>country, but correspondents say a question mark remains over the
>post-transition status of the military junta.
>
> Vieira: overthrown and not standing for re-election
>
>Less than two weeks before the elections, the country's military ruler
>announced that his junta intended to remain in existence for at least
>another 10 years to observe elected civilian governments.
>
>However a later announcement said the junta would dissolve itself after
>elections.
>
>The UN organised the elections after the overthrow of President Joao
>Bernardo Vieira by former army chief of staff General Ansumane Mane.
>
>The elections themselves were marked by polling delays and rioting in some
>parts of the capital, Bissau, when election officials and materials failed
>to arrive.
>
> Search BBC News Online
>
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