A World Fit for Us
The Children’s Forum message was delivered at the opening of the UN General
Assembly’s Special Session on Children, 8 May 2002, by child delegates Gabrielle
Azurduy Arrieta (Bolivia) and Audrey Cheynut (Monaco). It was the first time that
children addressed a formal session of the United Nations on behalf of children.
We are the world’s children.
We are the victims of exploitation and abuse.
We are street children.
We are the children of war.
We are the victims and orphans of HIV/AIDS.
We are denied good-quality education and health care.
We are victims of political, economic, cultural, religious and
environmental discrimination.
We are children whose voices 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:
• governments and adults having a real and effective commitment to the principle of
children’s rights and applying the Convention on the Rights of the Child to all
children,
• safe, secure and healthy environments for children in families, communities, and
nations.
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