« Let’s listen to children » is the theme of the 2006 World children’s Day. Which means in a practitioner’s language that the core article of the celebrations will be article 12 of the CRC, stating the right of the child to be heard. Very crucial in today’s context, this right is part of the move from a protection and welfare model to a rights based approach, recognizing each child this right, whatever his/her age and situation (1).  It is also enshrined in the participation principle, that could in no way be implemented without the right to express views.

During the latest UNGASS, Secretary-general Koffi Annan issued a report on children’s rights and human rights as a whole. He pointed out the success achieved since the 2002 Special Session, where children were invited for the first time to have their voice heard. Many States have since followed suit and associated children and youth to the drafting of national development plans.

He moreover voiced his satisfaction about the recently issued outcome of his own initiative, the UN Study on Violence Against Children. More than 5’000 have contributed by rendering their daily worries and suggesting solutions. The World AIDS Campaign as well has integrated young people as main stakeholders, and during World AIDS Day 2006 (December 1st, 2006),  13 million children are to join a giant HIV/AIDS Lesson on life skills.

Children have a lot to transmit, and the more so in a time when strategic and politic choices directly affect them, even tragically, as can be seen the Middle-East violence spiral. There are initiatives we can hail in this context , such as the UNICEF project in Lebanon : a  television series named SAWTNA (“Our Voice”), created and produced by young people aged 15 to 21.

Have a nice Children’s Day!

(1) Committee on the Rights of the Child, Day of General Discussion September 15th 2006, Conclusion by Mr Jean Zermatten
(2) Follow-up to the outcome of the Special session on children