World Day News
Archbishop of Canterbury's Statement for the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children
Friday 18th November 2011
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has released a statement in advance of the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children, which is on Sunday 20th November 2011.
The World Day of Prayer and Action for Children (DPAC) initiative is a global effort to mobilize secular and faith-based organizations to work together for the well-being of children and highlight the important role religious communities can play in promoting child rights. It is held every year around 20 November to coincide with Universal Children’s Day and the anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The focus of DPAC over the next three years (2011-2013) will be on violence against children.
The Archbishop's statement is below:
“This Sunday, 20 November 2011, is the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children. This day has been promoted by UNICEF, Religions for Peace, Save the Children and other agencies to focus the world’s attention on the well-being of our children. In every faith community, our children are the treasure that we value beyond price. A child born into health and safety is a sign of hope in our common life. In children we recognise the preciousness and dignity of the human being as well as a vulnerability which calls for our care and protection.
The theme for this year is ‘stop violence against children’. Violence against children will take many forms in different contexts – all demanding our action and prayer. After visiting Eastern Congo earlier this year, I particularly hold in my prayers those children who are affected by armed conflict. I met children who had suffered unimaginable horror, attacked, abducted, forced into brutalizing ways of life - and yet, amidst the anguish, I also encountered precious flames of hope, where local churches and communities strove to protect and restore the lives of their children. I had the privilege of meeting a group of young people who are now involved in a peace initiative. They had been taken into the militia as children and forced to perpetrate terrible acts, and yet the Church continued to reach out to them and call them back. Many said to me: “The Church never gave up on us.” I know that UNICEF has supported faith communities doing similar work to rehabilitate child soldiers in other countries.
In Eastern Congo I also witnessed the work of faith communities helping children who had been subjected to sexual violence. I heard of churches and their communities which had repeatedly rebuilt their schools, destroyed in conflict. They said that their children and their children’s future were far too precious not to act, and act again.
I urge us all, in churches and other faith communities all around the world, to unite in this World Day of Prayer and Action for the protection and flourishing of our children.”
Note for editors:
The World Day of Prayer and Action for Children (DPAC) initiative is a global effort to mobilize secular and faith-based organizations to work together for the well-being of children and highlight the important role religious communities can play in promoting child rights. It is held every year around 20 November to coincide with Universal Children’s Day and the anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The focus of DPAC over the next three years (2011-2013) will be on violence against children.
More information on the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children is available at www.dayofprayerandaction.org
Read the original article on the Archbishop of Canterbury's website.
Message delivered by Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago
Message delivered by
Prime Minister KAMLA PERSAD BISSESSAR
on the occasion of Universal Children’s Day and to commemorate the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children
on Sunday 20th November 2011
My fellow citizens, we join the world today on its global campaign of prayer and action, to help reduce and subsequently eradicate the plague that is violence against our innocent children.
Sadly, our nation, like several around the world, has bid farewell to too many of our valuable resources, at the hands of unspeakable acts of violence.
I take this opportunity to address you today, as we observe Universal Children’s Day and commemorate The World Day of Prayer and Action for Children, which is dedicated to creating a world in which joyous childhoods exists, away from the heinous acts of violence which are all too frequently present in our media and our lives.
Not too long ago, we were thrown into mourning over the gruesome demise of nine year old Daniel Guerra. As a mother, grandmother and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, words cannot describe the agonizing pain I felt and still feel as I recall the terror and thought of losing a child. With this in mind the Government of Trinidad and Tobago vowed that one child lost to violence was too many, thus I publicly issued "The Daniel Guerra Decree".
An initiative designed to create a platform to deal with critical issues of crime, child neglect and abuse, while allowing for an interactive educational environment, geared at equipping both parent and child with ways to ensure safety at all times.
In keeping with UNICEF's mission which advocates the protection of children's rights, in helping them meet their basic needs while expanding their opportunities to attain their full potential; we as a Government have ensured that every child is given an equal opportunity to free education. This entails the distribution of free books, free laptops upon entering secondary school and free transport via an efficient bus service.
According to a progress report on the UN Millennium Development Goals “Every 3.6 seconds one person dies of starvation” thankfully our children receive a nutritious breakfast and lunch via the School Feeding Programme. As a Government, we find it necessary to equip the future of our nation with these essential tools, to help them achieve their greatest potentials in becoming the future leaders of our beloved nation. However, we don’t stop there; the rights of our nation’s children are protected under the Children's Authority Bill, which seeks to promote the well being of all children in Trinidad and Tobago. This Bill allows for the provision of care and protection for our vulnerable children.
No wonder, in a recent Commonwealth Report, Trinidad and Tobago was listed among the first top three countries in the world where it is best to grow a girl child. And make no mistake, we are heading for the top position as we put in train the various mechanisms and pieces of legislation on gender equality that will not only improve the lot of women and girls but seek the best interests of men and boys.
I remind you of the words of the late US President, John F. Kennedy who once said “Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future.”
My fellow citizens, a child is a joy, not a burden and as a nation, we have a responsibility to all our children. For far too long we have witnessed these acts of violence on our innocent children, and I assure you that this trend of brutality against our young ones will come to an end. I say to you here today that saving the children is the responsibility of not one, but all of us, for if they perish, the future is hopeless.
Violence in whatever form, leaves scars no amount of time can heal, and violence against children is no different. A child subjected to a life of violence lives in constant fear and is left unable to efficiently function academically, emotionally and physically.
Thus, it was my decision to start by taking to Parliament the removal of corporal punishment from the education system. We were successful in that motion and today our Government has been engaged in moving legislation forward, and introducing other initiatives geared at advocating the protection of children, the promotion of child welfare, the preservation of children’s rights, and the prevention of child abuse.
The United Nations estimates that 270 million children, just over 14 per cent of all children in developing countries, have no access to health care services. Thankfully, last year the Children’s Life Fund Bill was passed in Parliament, bringing us one step closer to ensuring that children in need can access funds for life-saving surgery and tertiary-level health care services.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 1.6 million people worldwide die as a result of violence each year. They also estimate that 40 million children below the age of 15 suffer from abuse and neglect. But sadly, we cannot help these victims unless the code of silence is broken.
As we commemorate Universal Children’s Day and The World Day of Prayer and Action for Children, we pray for those that we have lost, for those suffering in silence, for those too afraid to speak out, those who think they have nowhere to turn, those waiting to be healed and those fighting for change.
I have often said that the values we impart to our children today, consciously and unconsciously, will have a major impact on society tomorrow for if we continue to leave the teaching of values to chance, we, as a nation, risk losing an integral piece of our culture altogether.
This is how I would like to begin as we celebrate with the Global Community, this World Day of Prayer and Action for Children to whose convenors, ARIGATOU International, UNICEF and other partners, I say thank you for placing much needed spiritual and social emphasis on today’s children who will be the leaders of tomorrow’s generation. And we do painstakingly remembering children here in Trinidad and Tobago and everywhere who have fallen prey to the actions of idle hands and evil minds.
I say this to re-emphasize what the organizers have so brilliantly imagined that each of us must come to care about everyone else's children. We must recognize that the welfare of our children is intimately linked to the welfare of all other people's children. After all, when one of our children needs life-saving surgery, someone else's child will perform it. If one of our children is harmed by violence, someone else's child will be responsible for the violent act.
Therefore, the good life for our own children can be secured only if a good life is also secured for all other people's children.
But fellow citizens, such noble ideals must have a beginning and I humbly submit that the sojourn begins with us, who are the real role models for the young and impressionable for what they see is what they learn and would invariably practice. In this context, let me hasten to add that whilst PRAYER is one component of the remediation process, ACTION is where we must focus attention.
I urge you as citizens of nations scarred, broken and grieving families, friends and loved ones with concerns; to take action and as the late Mahatma Gandhi once said “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
I thank you and may God Bless all our dear Children.
Related:
Read an article on Trinidad Tobago News Day
Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Supports the World Day
The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, The Honorable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, endorsed the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children yesterday.
Statement On the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children
by The Honorable Kamla Persad-Bissessar
Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago
10 November 2011
It is my pleasure to announce that I am supporting a new global initiative, The World Day of Prayer and Action for Children.
Initiated by the Arigatou International, UNICEF, and other partners in 2008, the World Day connects religious and secular organizations in a common effort to stop violence against children.
The protection of children from violence is a fundamental human right. The international community has undertaken to protect this right for all children, everywhere and at all times. Measures to eliminate and address violence against children features high on the policy agenda. Across the Americas, countries are working together to take effective action to combat this scourge, and the Caribbean is no exception. Trinidad and Tobago supports this process and looks forward to working with key stakeholders – governments, civil society, religious communities and the private sector – to forge closer cooperation among countries in the region. Together, we can make violence against children a thing of the past!
Here are three things you can do on the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children.
- Organize an event. Include your own faith community, members of other religious traditions and organizations committed to children’s welfare. Invite them to come together for prayer and to partner for one concrete action to help children and families in your community.
- Find an event in your local area. Connect with other World Day supporters on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.
- Raise awareness of the rights and dignity of each child, and the personal and social consequences of violence against children. Post events on your own website. Invite partners, friends and members of your house of worship to join you.
Let us unite in this effort for love and well-being of our children.
Painting a Rainbow for Children: World Day of Prayer and Action 2011 Launching
World Day 2011 events aim to stop violence against children
(New York, 14 November 2011) – Making the world fit for children – especially by stopping violence against them – is the shared goal of the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children, a global movement. Across the globe, hundreds of religious and civic leaders are mobilizing religious services and public celebrations on 20 November, to coincide with Universal Children’s Day. For 2011, more than 60 events are planned in over 55 countries starting 14 November.
This unique partnership of religious communities, governments, not-for-profits, grassroots organizations and concerned individuals will raise awareness and launch concrete projects to improve the lives of children in local communities worldwide.
Stopping violence against children is the World Day’s campaign for 2011-2013.
“We cannot make sustained progress for children in a world of violence,” says Kul Gautam, convening chair of the World Day and former assistant secretary-general of the United Nations. “We need to plant seeds for a non-violent world, starting with children.”
The World Day was founded by Arigatou International, a faith-based NGO in Tokyo in 2008. In 2009, more than 9,000 people in 29 cities in 22 countries took part. In 2010, more than 36,500 people joined in with 69 events in 48 countries. In 2011, at least 62 events in 55 countries will be held.
In 2011 some activities in East and Central Africa efforts are focusing on eradicating small arms used to recruit child soldiers; South Asian grassroots organizations are coordinating a multi-year plan of action against corporal punishment; Arab youth are continuing a “Bag of Love” program for neighborhood children; European youth from five countries are organizing their own World Day observances; and in Latin America, eight countries are planning faith-based ceremonies and activities.
In New York City, a panel of UNICEF, Yale University, Covenant House, International Rescue Committee and World Day experts will present at the United Nations on 18 November a briefing on how to “Stop Violence Against Children Through Positive Parenting.”
Five billion people in the world are affiliated with a religious group. The annual observances on 20 November are not about “uniting the religions,” says Hans Ucko, World Day co-chair, but rather about “affirming diversity and respecting the integrity of the various religious traditions…prayer will play a part but also lead us to discover other dimensions in religious and spiritual life and tradition.”
The World Day also produces resources to inform and inspire action. A note on positive parenting and non-violent discipline will soon be released.
The World Day of Prayer and Action for Children is a global movement that connects religious and civic communities to devote one day each year to prayers and visible actions for the well-being of children. Established by Arigatou International in 2008 in Tokyo, the World Day is celebrated every year worldwide during the week of 20 November. Website: www.dayofprayerandaction.org.
The rainbow of the logo symbolizes the diversity of the human family and the universal hope that all children will one day grow to their full potential in a peaceful world. The child painting the rainbow represents the inspired work of people of goodwill everywhere.
For further information, please contact Meg Gardinier, Director, World Day of Prayer and Action for Children, New York Secretariat. Email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Getting Ready, World Day Style
Every year as momentum builds, an exhilarating array of events reveals the passion and creativity of World Day partners all over the world! Read on for a selected virtual tour of World Day November 2011 preparations.
From the Global Network of Religions for Children
Africa
Activities will focus on issues of child soldiers, small arms and light weapons in Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, DR Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, and Ethiopia. The framework is a proposed three-year project: “Learning to Live Together: Mobilizing Religious Leaders in Eastern and Central Africa to Engage for Child Soldiers and Eradication of Small Arms and Light Weapons.”
Arab States
In Jordan, youth groups in the Fisher Program will continue with their two-year Bag of Love program. Various schools are organizing celebrations. Consultations about the World Day were held in September to garner support from religious institutions.
Europe
Youth from five countries — Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium, Spain, Portugal and Romania — began in July to organize their own World Day observances. A Learning to Live Together training workshop sponsored by UNESCO and Arigatou International Geneva was also a venue for an impassioned World Day call to action.
Latin America and the Caribbean
GNRC national committees are planning events In Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Haiti. In Brazil, festivities will be held in public places for greater visibility. Thanks to Pastoral da Crianca, information will be prepared for distribution to millions. World Day will be feted during the week and not on 20 November (because that is Brazil’s Day of Afro Consciousness/Dia da Conciencia Negra, a national holiday).
South Asia
A “Youth Voices on Child Poverty” competition is being organized regionwide. Children and youth can submit essays, photography and video clips on Child Poverty, the theme of the GNRC Fourth Forum slated for June 2012. Winners will be announced on 20 November to coincide with the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children.
In Sri Lanka, several events are being organized to end violence against children:
- In Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, 200 children and 100 adults are expected at the main World Day event on 20 November. Government officials relating to child protection and child care are being invited along with religious and civil society leaders.
- In the port city of Galle, more than 500 community leaders, religious leaders and young people will be raising awareness on 12 November. The event will be part of the “Deshodaya” or national re-awakening work of the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement whose people’s forums and surveys are developing a common Vision Declaration of Sri Lankans across the country.
- World Day celebrations, advocacy for children and teacher training will be piloted in partnership with the National Institute of Education. The three-day workshop for teacher trainers from Teacher Trainers from the Wayamba National College of Education will use the “Learning To Live Together” manual as a resource for combating school violence. This manual is an intercultural, interfaith ethics education program endorsed by UNESCO and UNICEF.
In India, a week of action starting 14 November will culminate in the World Day celebration on 20 November. Awareness programs and activities for children will focus on children protection and violence against the girl child. GNRC India is reaching out to 15,000 children from all parts of India through World Day 2011 initiatives.
In Nepal, the Peace Service Centre (Shanti Sewa Ashram) Kathmandu is the main organizer of a four-program, three-day event. An interfaith program with prayers and lighting of lamps will start the celebration. Prayers, poems, and songs from children will be an integral part of this event. A competition of songs, poetry and art will involve students at four schools and orphanages. Youth from various faiths, schools, and colleges will convene. Each program will last three to seven hours. Supporting organizers include GNRC Nepal; Hindu Vidyapeeth-Nepal, Balkumari, Lalitpur; Youth Society for Peace Nepal; and Children’s Peace Home, Dang.
From UNICEF
Eastern Caribbean (coordinated by Barbados country office): 535 pastors of the Caribbean Evangelical Association will dedicate their sermons on stopping violence against children. Specific activities during religious services on or around 20 November are being planned in Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, British Virgin Islands, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Antigua.
Honduras: Due to an ongoing crisis of prolonged teacher strikes, the country office will focus in 2011 on the right to education for all Honduran children (focusing in 2012 on violence in schools).
Jamaica: Building on an initiative with the Ministry of Education, a consultation with religious leaders will focus on positive disciplining in the home.
Panama: News about the World Day will reach all Catholic Church newspaper readers in November. A letter by the Roman Catholic Archbishop about the World Day will be read at all Catholic services on November 20. The Archbishop will also celebrate a mass that will be broadcast live and include his call for prayers and an end to violence against children. Evangelical, Jewish, Muslim, Ba'istas and Rastafarian communities will celebrate during the weekend of November 20. And in the afternoon of 20 November, the First Lady will lead an event with children at a park in central Panama City.
Uganda: The largest religious denominations in the country -- reaching approximately 85% of the population – will celebrate the World Day on 18, 19, and 20 November in all their places of worship. Leaders will send special messages on "Zero Violence against Children in Schools” to their congregations through radios run by their organizations and text-messaging to build up to the Day. And the Uganda Parliamentary Fellowship, a caucus that organizes annual high level prayer breakfasts, will organize one focused on prayer and action for children.