Nieuw initiatief voor hulp aan kinderen betrokken bij conflicten

On Universal Childrens Day, UNICEF Welcomes New Initiative to Aid Children Affected by Conflict

20 november 2008, New York - As the world commemorates Universal Childrens Day, UNICEF today welcomes the launch of a new group that aims to amplify the voice of those suffering as a result of conflict. The group has been established by young people with first-hand experience of the hardship children face in conflict zones.

The new network, led by UNICEF Advocate Ishmael Beah, will be launched today at a press conference at the United Nations in New York, hosted by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and UNICEF.
It is the brainchild of Ishmael Beah (Sierra Leone), Emmanuel Jal (Sudan), Grace Akallo (Uganda), John Kon Kelei (Southern Sudan), Zlata Filipovic (Bosnia Herzegovina), and China Keitetsi (Uganda). By working together, they will seek to raise awareness of the plight of children in conflict zones, to advocate for an end to hostilities and to serve as role models for children who are currently struggling to recover from war.

”Each of these young people has a story of overcoming great personal hardship”, said UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman, welcoming the launch of the network. ”This new network can draw attention to the suffering of children caught in conflicts and demonstrate how young people themselves can help dramatically rebuild their lives.”