New Delhi, 8 November 2016 (GPN) : The Nobel Peace Laureate from India, Kailash Satyarthi is launching a global initiative together with the highest moral authorities of the world – Nobel Laureates and leaders for the cause of children.
Mr Satyarthi stated that through his foundation, the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation, he is convening the first-ever gathering called the ‘Laureates and Leaders for Children Summit’ on 10, 11 December at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. The Summit will be inaugurated by Hon’ble President of India, Sh. Pranab Mukherjee.
About 25 Nobel Laureates and world leaders have confirmed their participation. In addition, 150 eminent personalities from academia, corporate sector, sports industry, media and civil society will also be present.
It is for the first time that such revered personalities will assemble together to give a clarion call for prioritising the issues of children in global political and social discourse. Likewise, no event of this stature has taken place before on the Indian soil.
Mr Satyarthi remarked, “I ask myself and to you, why is it that despite the institutions of governance and faith, laws and conventions, millions of children are still being deprived of their childhood?
It is because of the serious moral deficit that results in social apathy and lack of political will for our children.”
He stated, “With the Laureates and Leaders Summit, we intend to build a strong moral platform for the protection of children worldwide. We need to ensure that every child is free, safe, healthy and educated.”
The outcomes of the summit will include:
Assertion and commitment to the moral imperative to end violence against children and ensure access to a child friendly world.
Laureates and Leaders brainstorm and commit to action in their respective fields to accelerate progress and achieve breakthroughs to benefit children, by signing a Declaration.
The launch of the “100 million for 100 million” campaign, which aims to mobilise 100 million youth and children for 100 million underprivileged children across the world to end violence against children, over the next 5 years.
His Holiness Dalai Lama, HE Julia Gillard, HE José Ramos-Horta, Prof Yuan Lee, Ms Tawakkol Karman, Ms Leymah Roberta Gbowee, Mdm Ouided Bouchamaoui, Mr Hassine Abassi, Mr Mohamed Fadhel Mahfoudh, Mr Abdessattar Ben Moussa, HE Graca Machel, HRH Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands, HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of the United Arab Emirates, HSH Princess Charlene of the Principality of Monaco, Ms Rigoberta Menchú Tum, Senator Tom Harkin, Ms Kerry Kenndy, Mr Jeffrey Sachs, Mr Ratan Kumar Nag (Grameen Bank) and other distinguished representatives of organisations which have been conferred with the Nobel Peace Prize will be in attendance.
At present, about 168 million children worldwide are serving in labour – almost 10% of the world’s population between the ages of 5 and 17 – and around 5.5 million are in slavery. More than half of these child labourers, around 85 million are involved in hazardous work.
Adding to the severe labour conditions, millions of children are continuously losing their childhoods in conflict-prone environments. In Syria, an entire generation is being deprived of their rights. An approximate 5.6 million children are living in dire situations and face poverty, displacement and violence.
There are also greater numbers being deprived of the right to education. 62 million children have never been to a primary school and almost 260 million children up to the age of 18 are out-of-school.
The magnitude of these issues requires top priority in national and international development plans, policies, and programs.
“This Summit will amplify the collective leadership of Nobel laureates across different fields and world leaders to put a spotlight on the greatest moral challenge of our times, the need to protect and educate every child.” said Mr Satyarthi.
He further stated, “the Summit will re-affirm India’s place as the Jagadguru and land of peace, wisdom and compassion. We intend to move forward with the sentiment of Vasudhaiva Kutumbukam or universal familyhood, a virtue which finds its roots in our country.”
For more information please visit: www.satyarthi.org.in
