Youth, world leaders, Nobel laureates advocate for children’s rights

DEAD SEA — World leaders, activists, youth and children on Monday gathered at the Dead Sea to create an action plan for over 263 million children currently out of the schools due to economic, social or political factors.

The Second Laureates and Leaders for Children Summit 2018, which was held under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah, aims to ensure that children in the most vulnerable parts of the world are free, safe, educated and healthy. (see story on page 1)

Co-hosted by HRH Prince Ali at the King Hussein Convention Centre, the two-day event witnessed the attendance of Noble Prize laureates, political leaders, diplomats, decision- makers, international aid representatives, students and children.

The participants will work on proposing mechanisms to develop practical and sustainable action to provide education and healthcare for refugee and displaced children, safeguard their rights and protect them against exploitation and abuse.

During the opening session held under the title “Building a Safe, Educated and Healthy Childhood”, Noble Peace Laureate Tawakkol Karman from Yemen, said that the problem lies with the implementation of international conventions and treaties related to children. 

“Justice is absent because major countries do not respect international treaties and allow war criminal to go unpunished for their crimes against women and children,” Karman said.

 Former president of Ireland Mary Robinson touched on the issue of the trauma undergone by children victims of forced migration due to the atrocities of armed conflicts.

“We need to address the trauma children face and engage them in different activities that would help them regain their self-esteem and confidence,” Robinson said.

Former foreign minister of Algeria Lakhdar Brahimi said he was pleased with the services and atmosphere present during his visit to the Zaatari refugee camp.

“We are grateful for Jordan because the atmosphere at the [Zaatari] camp reflects solidarity and respect of the international community,” he said.

Brahimi, who was the joint special representative of the UN and Arab League for Syria, urged the international community to end the conflicts that “could be damaging to children, women and men”.

Youth delegates from several countries around the world also addressed the gathering, such as Syrian Mohamad Jounde who said “I remember checking the schools every day to see if they had a place available, but without success. I hated not being able to go to school so I built one. I wanted to make sure that Syrian children could continue their education.”

Jounde, who is winner of the International Children’s Peace Prize, said he was forced to flee to Lebanon when he was 12.

Youth delegate from India Shubham Rathore said he started working at 13 years old “because my family was poor and could not afford food”.

Now 21, Rathore said he was later rescued from child labour and was able to finish his education as an electrical engineer, urging world leaders to safeguard the rights of children by putting the necessary laws into force.

“I went to school, became aware of my rights and learned to fight and demand my rights and the rights of other children… Today I fight against the exploitation of children and I fight for their rights,” Rathore added.  

Coming from Peru, Khiabet Salazar highlighted an initiative in her country that encourages young people to defend the rights of children and help ensure they receive the education they deserve.  

The Laureates and Leaders for Children Summit was first held in 2016, hosted by Indian president Pranab Mukherjee. 21 Nobel Laureates and world leaders joined 400 distinguished thinkers and influencers from academia, business, entertainment, government and civil society, all committed to working together to prioritise the world’s children in their spheres of influence. 

 Laureates and Leaders for Children is a unique movement that mobilises Nobel Laureates, youth, celebrities and other leading thinkers and influencers across disciplines and generations who are champions for children, according to web sources. 

 The movement was conceived as an engaging platform to establish the groundwork for a more sustainable and forward-thinking leadership capable of safeguarding the future of the world’s children, particularly in the face of global challenges and chronic social predicaments impacting communities worldwide.