DILI, 19 november 2014 (TATOLI)— On behalf of the commemoration of World Children’s Day, 20th november – which is celebrated annually around the world, the representative of the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) in Timor-Leste today met the President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta, at the Presidential Palace to invite the head of state to participate in the event.
“Listen to the Future” should be the theme of World Children’s Day this year.
“On this meeting with the president of the Republic, I, myself, invite him to participate in the commemoration of Children’s World Day, which will be held on the 20th of november in Timor Plaza Dili,” Patrizia DiGiovanni said.
She emphasized the global theme is “Listen to the Future,” referring to UNICEF’s mission, how to listen to children’s ideas and opinions for children’s lives every day.
“This theme makes the President happy. We know that the president of the Republic loves to listen to the children and play with children,” she recalled.
According to UNICEF, all children should get access to better education. Based on the real situation that Timorese children are vendors and still selling things on Bank Street, UNICEF will talk with the government to solve these issues, as international laws mention that children have the right to have a bright future and access to education and forbid children to heavy work.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is a treaty that sets out the rights of children and how governments should work to ensure they are met:
- Purpose
The UNCRC was adopted in 1989 and is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history. It applies to all children under the age of 18.
- Articles
The UNCRC has 54 articles that cover all aspects of a child’s life, including:
- The right to life, survival, and development;
- The right to protection from violence, abuse, or neglect;
- The right to an education;
- The right to be raised by, or have a relationship with, their parents
- The right to express their opinions and be listened to;
- The right to equal treatment;
- The right to respect for the best interests of the child;
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
