Children Statement...

I am here as a child representing the children of the world
We are the victims of exploitation and abuse
We are street children
We are the children of a war
We are the victims and orphans of HIV/AIDS
We are denied good-quality education and health care
We are the victims of political, economic, cultural, religious and environmental discrimination
We are the children who are not being heard; it is time we are taken into account
We want a world fit for children, because a world fit for us is a world fit for everyone

In this world,
We see respect for the rights of the child
We see an end to exploitation, abuse and violence
We see an end to war
We see the provision of health care
We see the eradication of HIV/AIDS
We see the protection of the environment
We see an end to the vicious cycle of poverty
We see the provision of education
We see the active participation of children

We are not the sources of problems; we are the resources that are needed to solve them
We are not just young people; we are people and citizens of this world.
Until others accept their responsibility for us, we will fight for our rights
We have the will, the faith, and the dedication
We promise that as adults we will defend children's rights with the same passion that we have now as children
We promise to treat each other with dignity and respect
We promise to be open and sensitive to our differences
We are the children of the world, and despite our different backgrounds, we share a common reality and hope.
We are united by our struggle to make the world a better place for all
You call us the future, but we are also the present

Adapted from: "A World Fit for Children"