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LISTEN UP !
A plan developed worldwide by children so they can have a respected voice one day a year:
Hear the Children Day of Peace on the International Day of Peace
Written by the delegates of the
1997 World Summit of Children International Summit
July 23 - August 1, 1997
Republic of China on Taiwan
Dedication
“He prayed - it wasn’t my religion.
He ate - it wasn’t what I ate.
He spoke - it wasn’t my language.
He dressed - it wasn’t what I wore.
He took my hand - it wasn’t the color of mine,
But when he laughed - it was how I laughed,
And when he cried - it was how I cried.”
These were the words of a 16 year old girl, written in the spirit of love and understanding. It exemplifies the Hear the Children Day of Peace theme of unity among the world’s children. Thus, we dedicate this booklet to the voices of the world’s children. We also commend the United Nations for their continuing efforts toward world peace.
Foreword
We have come together, many children from many different lands, with a common goal: we want this book to serve as a guide for children and adults who want to amplify the voices of children, We believe that adults and children are like separate rooms in the same house. Hear the Children Day of Peace can be the strong arm needed to open the door and help this family see eye-to-eye.
Introduction
Do you remember when you were a small child ?
Do you remember the frustration you felt when your cries, your explanations, your wishes fell upon deaf ears ?
We, the members of the 1997 World Summit of Children Project, present a simple request:
please, hear the children.
You have the opportunity to help the children of your country, of your world,
by reading this booklet with an open mind.
Hear the Children Day of Peace is proposed to be on the third Tuesday of every September. This date was chosen to correspond with the United Nations International Day of Peace and the opening session of the United Nations General Assembly.
We are aware that different children’s days are celebrated at the national, even continental level. However, we seek support for Hear the Children Day of Peace because it is being proposed by child representatives of the children of the world for children. The observance of one minute of silence for peace at noon in each time zone will create a twenty-four hour wave of respect for children and support for the General Assembly’s work for peace.
Hear the Children Day of Peace will prove to be a unifying event for children in every country of the world. It will promote common interests and needs of children and remove barriers between ages. The voices of these children will ring clearly and loudly.
It is up to you to listen,
for if you do not listen,
you will never learn what they have to say.
The Purpose of the Proposed Hear the Children Day of Peace
Since 1995 over 60,000 children have been involved in promoting the World Summit of Children’s Proposal for Hear the Children Day of Peace (HTC Day of Peace). It has become a strikingly monumental element in a worldwide movement for children to partner with adults in a mutually respectful way at the local, national and international levels.
Hear the Children Day of Peace can most effectively be described and engaged in by considering a few main points:
* The opinions of children shall and will be heard in a designated forum.
* Children are worth listening to because often they can solve problems in an easy and direct way instead of making them difficult and complicated as adults sometimes do.
* Children’s minds are mostly free of prejudice and can make clear, unfettered decisions. They can remind
adults of the importance of human values when considering priorities.
* Hear the Children Day of Peace can be a bridge between adults and children. It joins the two by activities with
a common goal which serve to better the lives of all.
* Hear the Children Day of Peace offers children an opportunity to focus on responsible action and empower
that part of themselves which develops reliable and just citizens.
Goals
1. The authors of “Listen Up !” hope to make all people -adults and children - understand that Hear the
Children Day of Peace is for the betterment of the entire human race. Today’s children are tomorrow’s
voters, law makers, tax payers and leaders. Showing children that adults believe in what they have to say
makes for more confident and competent adults in the future.
2. It is also hoped that the problems of children all over the world can be solved in the most effective way possible by interaction between those who are experiencing the problems and those whose responsibility
it is to remedy. However, it is strongly recommended that the focus be placed on prevention which is
more economical than costly cures.
3. It is important for Hear the Children Day of Peace organizing committees to link up with their National
Councils at least twice a year. Maintaining strong communication links is a crucial part of an effective
organization. Through this communication, the priorities set by the National Council can remain clearly
in sight.
These goals may be used as standards by which to prepare for and measure the success of Hear the Children Day of Peace events. They are simple wishes to guide the heart of an HTC Day of Peace event and the activities which are part of it.
Suggested Activities
Hear the Children Day of Peace, in addition to being a day where new solutions for the problems facing children are found, is a day for children to unite and strengthen their place in the world.
One of the best ways to unite children is to organize specific activities and events which encourage the participation of all children in the area. The following suggested list may be changed and adapted to suit the needs and resources of the participating children of any age in any area.
The Minute of Silence can be observed at noon in every time zone creating a twenty-four hour wave of silence in respect for children and the United Nations General Assembly’s work towards world peace.
Sky-blue Raindrop/Teardrop Shaped Stickers can be worn in recognition of Hear the Children Day of Peace. The raindrop/teardrop represents both the cries of children around the world and the idea of the power of one raindrop to create a waterfall.
Active and Non-violent protest can be held at any state house nearby. Children can sing peaceful songs and request the attention of the government leaders both locally and nationally.
A Fair or Carnival held in exhibition format can be focalized on children’s issues and rights. Through children’s talents such as dancing, music, arts and crafts, dramatics, etc. public awareness can be raised. An admission fee could be charged to raise funds for the National Council.
Plays such as A Child Can Change the World (in this booklet) can be presented to educate people about the proposed United Nations Young General Assembly, the National Council and child rights such as stated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Events which will involve the media are a crucial part of Hear the Children Day of Peace planning and presentation. It is recommended that any and all resources available be contacted:
talk shows
television including public television
radio
newspapers
magazines and newsletters
e mail.
Establishing Communication with Other Children
E mail networking is an important possible way to form links with other children globally by setting up stations in different countries and different parts of a nation. These stations should have open communication to maintain public awareness about Hear the Children Day of Peace activities. This kind of linkage will successfully bring about collective activities for the children, by the children.
Attending an international summit is also one important way of communicating with other children. Working on an international goal will provide valuable interaction for the children to solve problems.
Media coverage through press conferences, radio and TV talk shows appearances is also another way of connecting with children. Getting public attention is important because this will let the public notice the efforts and value of an HTC Day of Peace event.
How to Involve Children
Establishing contacts with orphanages, hospitals, societies for the disadvantaged, juvenile offenders and rehabilitation centers to involve members of minority groups, will strengthen the purpose of Hear the Children Day of Peace activities.
The issue of involving adults in Hear the Children Day of Peace activities has been seriously addressed during World Summit of Children discussions. However, it’s the children who must be heard and understood by other children as well. Small children often prove to be more receptive to new ideas. Make use of this knowledge and aim efforts at including them. By gaining their interest and support at an early age, in time large numbers of older as well as younger children will prove to be enthusiastic about the Hear the Children Day of Peace events. By playing different educational games, they would have fun and learn a lot of useful things at the same time. Plays, shows contests or exhibitions can be organized. New talents and abilities can be discovered and developed. These activities should give children an opportunity to learn how to work as a team, how to respect all ideas and opinions and how to respond to the needs of other children.
CONCLUSION
Presently, children around the world are working to persuade their governments to present the Hear the Children Day of Peace (HTC Day of Peace) Proposal to the United Nations General Assembly. HTC Day of Peace would encourage communication between governments and their citizens and also between adults and children; therefore, bridging the generation gap.
There is no question about the importance of Hear the Children Day of Peace for it brings to life and actively implements the most vital substance for human relations--communication.
The children involved in this event will never give up even if they are left alone or no support is given. They will try the best they can and be sensitive about matters regarding all children. It must be kept in mind that with one day of united action five billion of us will be affected worldwide !
“We should be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing.
Action always generates inspiration.
Inspiration seldom generates action.”
Frank Tibolt
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