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Children say NO to war, violence and terrorism
Some 450 children from 28 Karachi schools signed an 'Indo-Pak Joint Signature Campaign Against War and Terrorism'. They made a Mural for Peace which will be put up in the Children's Museum for Peace and Human Rights once the building is up and running; they once again pledged to participate in a petition drive to urge the Pakistani government to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights for the Disabled. It may be recalled that these and hundreds of other school children had earlier put pressure on the government to sign the convention for the disabled, by collecting 75 thousand signatures. Lastly, the children signed a message of solidarity with the children in Gaza, which will be sent to Gaza through the Palestinian Embassy in Islamabad.
I attended this inspiring meeting of the children's Right-On Network yesterday afternoon at a large hall in one of the participating schools and watched the enthusiam of the young peace promoters and heard their inquiries made from veteran journalist Ghazi Salahuddin who spoke about the 'history of the Palestinian-Israel conflict'. Earlier, a representative of the Unicef spoke about the children who are victims of conflict in Gaza, and closer to home...in Swat. This meeting was organised by the Karachi-based Children's Museum for Peace and Human Rights.
Schoolchildren express solidarity with Palestinians Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Karachi
At least 450 children from 28 schools in Karachi signed a solidarity message for the children of Gaza and made a mural of peace after writing peace slogans.
The exercise was part of an activity titled ‘children say nO to war, violence and terrorism’ organised on Tuesday at a local school.
The sufferings of the people of Palestine, particularly children, were discussed in the interactive meeting, which was followed by questions from children.
After the meeting, a message of solidarity and support was signed by each and every child. It will be sent to the Palestinian embassy in Islamabad.
All participants were members of the Right-On Network, a youth network comprising the Children’s Museum for Peace and Human Rights. They had gathered to express support for the children of Gaza and Swat.
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rumana husain
Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
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Barbara McPherson
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (27)
at 07:50 on January 28th, 2009
great story hope the elders learn from them
at 07:53 on January 28th, 2009
Kids have great spirit and only lose it as they grow up after being put down repeatedly.
at 07:57 on January 28th, 2009
thanks azzay! such meetings happen four times a year. also an annual two-day children's conference and campaign activities throughout the year to teach social-activism against violence of all kinds and apathy are preparing them to become just and peaceful citizens.
at 07:59 on January 28th, 2009
thanks paschen and sara. hopefully, they should continue in the same vein...or at least some will!
at 08:38 on January 28th, 2009
They seem to be genuine and not hypocritical unless some machiavellian politician is not behind the gathering and they are independent and a new force and offer sound reason and philosophy against violence, exploitation and terrorism.
at 09:15 on January 28th, 2009
tallison, be rest assured, no machiavellian politician behind them! the organisation that runs this membership network for children works with formal schools and has been around for over 13 years now teaching what you have enumerated above.
at 09:19 on January 28th, 2009
moonwolf, thanks. yes, these children ought to!
at 09:44 on January 28th, 2009
This is an important event - it really all starts with the children doesn't it?
Good piece.
at 09:47 on January 28th, 2009
thanks amy! i agree whole-heartedly.
at 10:06 on January 28th, 2009
Thanks for showing us this bright ray of hope.
at 10:31 on January 28th, 2009
Wonderful story! Thanks for sharing!
at 12:54 on January 28th, 2009
Our national hero 'Jose Rizal' said, "The children are our future".
But these children don't even have future of there own... How can they carry the weight of the next generation's hope for a better tomorrow? They themselves don't even have a better tomrrow. '''''Perhaps, the children may gathered the fruit of what the father planted....
Thanks very much! Rumana' for your great report! :D
at 19:19 on January 28th, 2009
Thanks for wonderful and welcoming story, Rumana.
at 20:06 on January 28th, 2009
thank you for your comments Roy. these children are supporting those hundreds of other children who are war victims. these children will support all such children...jews, hindus, christians, buddhists, muslims. children being used as soldiers, children being killed by indiscriminate bombings. children should not be made to pay for the wrongs (or whatever) of adults.
at 20:08 on January 28th, 2009
thank you Barbara, Pat Garcia, Danesller and Pythiian for your visit and comments.
at 20:32 on January 28th, 2009
May these children never change their position on war, terrorism and violence. May they always say NO!
at 23:48 on January 28th, 2009
The ICC, the International Court of Justice, in the Hague, was set-up specifically to prosecute and bring to justice those responsible for the worst crimes - genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes - committed anywhere in the world. The court has been signed and ratified by over 100 countries globally, including the UK, Germany, France, Poland, Canada, Australia etc – although the US, Iran and Israel are amongst those who have signed but not yet ratified.
Notwithstanding this, if evidence is confirmed that the Israeli army deliberately or knowingly killed unarmed civilians, including hundreds of children and dozens of women – then the European Union should initiate steps to have arrest warrants issued against the two Israeli ministers responsible for the military action in Gaza, i.e. EHUD OLMERT and EHUD BARAK.
In such an eventuality, these two persons should be brought before the ICC to answer charges of war crimes against the people of Gaza. The fact that Israel has signed a comprehensive agreement of co-operation with the European Union, (the EU-Israel Association Agreement), gives the EU the right – and indeed the duty – to take action to bring any such persons suspected of war crimes before the World Court.
at 19:10 on January 29th, 2009
brother rob, emirates-uk (not verified), thanks for your comments.
at 11:32 on January 30th, 2009
cypresso, thanks for your kind comment.
at 04:04 on January 31st, 2009
What I really would like to see as an additive to the wishes of these youngsters is a similar children movement in Israel to inform the government there about children wishes for peace in the middle east.
It would seem that children can have great power when pointed in the correct direction to air their complaints.
I hope that the word solidarity does not get muddle up with support for the Palestinian Government of which is just as at fault as the Israeli government. Both need to talk and find a final peaceful solution so both parties can live in an acceptable peace that benifits both muslim a jew. Children need to shout and be heard they are the next generation of world citizens soon it will be their world hopefully they will do a much better job.
at 04:10 on January 31st, 2009
thank you for your visit and comment, babel-fish. yes, it would be really good if similar children's movements happen not only in israel but all over the world, including palestine and zimbabwe!
at 08:22 on February 8th, 2009
Im one of those kids! Im their National Student Council Member! I was so excited to see this article. I was also present at this meeting, it was very inspirational, especially the sight of the school for the deaf. The teacher who translates for them is very highly respected in the Right On Network. Anyway, im really happy to see this article! I love the Right On Network and everything about it! Im just so happy to be helping fellow humans!And its a great honour to be one of the seven national student council members.Love, Maria.
at 08:47 on February 8th, 2009
maria kazmi (not verified)...you are no kid! (just kidding!) you and the other right-on members are doing a great job and going in the right direction whereas adults are responsible for all the wrong things happening around us. just don't give up even after you grow up! and yes, the hearing and speech impaired right-on members have also been extremely participative in several campaigns. thank you for your comment.
at 00:49 on February 26th, 2009
terrorism is the symptom of world war III.
at 00:58 on February 26th, 2009
angaiyar kanni (not verified), thank you for your comment.
at 00:28 on March 15th, 2009
Do you know when the next meeting is?? The rest of the NSC members and I would really like to meet you.
at 20:14 on March 23rd, 2009
sorry maria, just saw your comment. please call the cmphr for the next schedule as currently i am out of the country. also, i am on an extended leave from there and will be joining may be next year, but you can meet me whenever you want to set up a time with me. i will be very happy to do that. thanks.