Young people at C8 children’s summit insist world leaders
listen
By Thomas Nybo and Maya Dollarhide
EDINBURGH, Scotland, 8 July 2005 – A select group of children from Bhutan,
Cambodia, Moldova, Yemen, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Lesotho and Bolivia and their
counterparts from Russia, France, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom are
heading home after attending UNICEF’s first-ever children’s summit, the C8
Children’s Forum, held in Dunblane and Edinburgh. The event preceded the G8
summit of industrialized nations in nearby Gleneagles, currently in session.
The participants - all between the ages of eleven and eighteen - drafted a
set of recommendations for G8 leaders. These recommendations were written on
behalf of the world’s millions of children and adolescents to demand their
rights be respected.
“We’ve shared experiences, discussions, problems, and we’ve found solutions
to give to the G8,” said Lorenzo Cusullo, 16, from Italy.
Among the recommendations was the call for all countries to implement the
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, to end poverty, to protect
children from violence, and to ensure that all children have the opportunity to
receive a free, quality education.
Earlier in the week the children spent time with Scottish First Minister Jack
McConnell, who assured them that the G8 leaders would be made aware of their
concerns.
In addition to drafting the recommendations, the young participants spent the
three-day conference engaging in discussions and debate about the toughest
challenges facing children today, including conflict, lack of education, and the
spread of HIV/AIDS. At the launch of summit the young people met Scottish actor
and UNICEF UK Goodwill Ambassador Ewan McGregor and, on 6 July, they appeared at
the Live 8 concert, where they were treated to musical performances by U2
frontman Bono, James Brown, and Bob Geldof.
All this and more, including final recommendations made by Children for
Change - C8 to the G8 world leaders are at http://www.unicef.org/policyanalysis/index_27604.html
Young people at C8
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