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| Children’s Voices Against Poverty, 16 Oct 2006 |
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| ‘Children’s Voices against Poverty’ was organized on Oct 16, 2006 in Delhi to coincide with the eve of the World Anti-Poverty Day. The event aimed to draw attention the promise made through the Millennium Declaration and National Development Goals through the voices of children from the nomadic communities of Maharashtra, tribal communities of Orissa & Jharkhand, dalit communities of Andhra & Uttar Pradesh, farmer communities of Rajasthan, the slum and homeless communities of Mumbai & Delhi, and the involvement of students from more than 30 schools of Delhi. |
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| The program culminated in the release of the ‘Nine Is Mine’ Children’s Declaration and the endorsement of the global call to ‘Stand Up against Poverty’, being co-ordinated across 80 countries by the United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC) and the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP). The call for “Nine-Is-Mine” draws attention to the commitment made in the National Common Minimum Program (2004-09) that 6% of India’s GDP would be committed to Education, and 3% to Health. |
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| Children's Voices against Poverty: 9 % of GDP to Ensure the Every Child has a Future |
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| October 16th, New Delhi: On the eve of World Anti-Poverty Day, more than 4,544 children from across the country gathered at the Constitution Club under the banner of Wada Na Todo Abhiyan, network of over 1000 NGOs to mark the United Nation's call to STAND-UP against poverty. The campaign, NINE IS MINE, led by children urged the government to allocate three per cent and six per cent of the GDP towards health and education respectively as a matter of right for every child. |
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| The occasion aimed at drawing attention towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals and the National Development Goals through the voices of the children. The gathering saw a perfect blend of children from all regions and different strata of the society. There were children from the nomadic communities of Rajasthan, Gujarat; the tribal communities of Orissa, Jharkhand and Dalit communities of Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh; the slums of Mumbai and Delhi to the students from schools such as St columba's, St Mary's, Bluebells, British School among others. The children performed folk theatre depicting life in their regions. There were colourful dane performances by little children. The underlying theme, however, in all these forms of cultural expression was deprivation and poverty and a call to the government to wake up and act. |
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| While applauding the initiative, Cecilio Adorna, Country Representative, UNICEF, said, "this is an innovative idea and a starting point of a process that will go a long way in bringing children to the centrestage." Amitabh Behar, Convenor, Wada Na Todo Abhiyan while talking of the promises the governments make at national and international platforms said, "We need to hold our governments accountable in order to ensure that the promises are kept as well". |
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| Also present on the occasion, Sandeep Dikshit, Member of Parliament, pointed out, "Children have a fascinating way of telling the truth. When these children talk there is no way that any Government can ignore their appeal." 16-year-old Bhura Lal, son of a farmer in Rajasthan, has been taking up cudgels on behalf of his people in the Back To Events Indexward district of Sirohi. He says, "As part of the Make Trade Fair delegation, I have met the President of India earlier this year. We appealed to fight against poverty. In this forum too, we appeal for a right to education and health for all." |
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| Summing-up the spirit Jagdananda, Convenor, Wada Na Todo Abhiyan said, "India will shine, when NINE IS MINE". Well known celebrities Nandita Das, Lucky Ali and Kunal Kapoor also extended their solidarity and support to the cause, although could not be physically present for the ocassion. With a united resolve to make poverty history, well-known rock band Parikrama extended their support through their soulful rendition. |
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