June 5 2013
Placing Children at the Core of the Global Development Agenda
“Bold and practical” is how Richard Pichler described the latest UN recommendations for the global development agenda beyond 2015. However, he stresses that, much more must be done for children and families.
“It is imperative; children who live in various forms of alternative care must be counted, and accounted for,” says SOS Children’s Villages Secretary General. “A good starting point,” is how Richard Pichler described the latest UN recommendations for the global development agenda beyond 2015. However, he stresses that much more must be done for children and families.
“The only way to end all forms of violence against children is by ensuring that all children, in the care of their families or in alternative forms of care receive quality care in loving and protective family environments,” said Mr Pichler.
A good start, but much more is needed for children
A New Global Partnership: Eradicate Poverty and Transform Economies through Sustainable Development, is the title of the report published on May 31 by the UN Secretary General’s High-level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda (HLP). Mr Pichler believes that it will help stimulate debate.
“It is a good starting point for further discussions, but we must be more ambitious in tackling global development challenges. More must be done for children, young people and families. The most marginalized and disadvantaged need support. Children without parental care and families at risk of separation must be included. The HLP report has quite rightly recognized the need to reach the most vulnerable; however, it has failed to acknowledge children and young people in this category”.
SOS Children’s Villages welcomes the fact that the principles of human rights are featured. The various targets outlined could have a tremendous positive effect on the lives of children. However, the organization would like to see indicators that acknowledge that violence against children goes beyond physical violence or violence against girls. All forms of indirect violence against children must be acknowledged and eliminated.
New promises cannot replace existing commitments
Global development targets must address issues of health, disaster risk reduction, nutrition, education, ending preventable child deaths, birth registration, violence against children, and youth unemployment. SOS Children’s Villages is at the forefront of tackling these issues across four continents.
Referring to the Millennium Development Goals, Mr Pichler said; “we all have two years left to fulfil the ambitious targets set out by world leaders –we must all stay focussed on our task. The promise of a new agenda cannot replace the commitment we have made to take action now.”
SOS Children’s Villages urges governments, civil society and the international community to address today’s challenges, while also engaging in debate for the future. Targets need to be refined to address the key issues faced by millions of children and families. They must come first.