Following the horrific attack in the United States on Tuesday, the United Nations
General Assembly formally postponed next week's Special Session on Children. UNICEF
Executive Director, Carol Bellamy said today that the work of helping the world's neediest
children would continue "with deepened resolve."
The UN Special Session on Children to be attended by more than 70 Heads of State, was
to have taken place from 19-21 September at the United Nations complex in New York City.
It was to have reviewed global progress for children since 1990 and set new goals for the
decade ahead.
While planned activities in South Africa related to the Special Session will now have
to be postponed until further notice, the UNICEF Representative in the country, Mr. Jesper
Morch emphasized UNICEF's continued support for government and civil society initiatives
to protect children, empower families and communities, reduce poverty and build a culture
of human rights.
"Now more than ever before" he added "we need to sustain and build on
the excellent work already begun in South Africa on behalf of and with children through
the National Programme of Action and other government and civil society initiatives. It is
only through children's and young people's meaningful participation in events such as the
Special Session, country level activity and the development process in general that a
truly broad based movement for children can be realized and significant progress in the
well being of children achieved."
"The General Assembly will reschedule this Special Session when the time is right.
World leaders have shown they want it, and the children of the world surely deserve
it" UNICEF concluded.
For further information please contact: Neville Josie: (012) 338 5000 / 082 561 0167 or
media@unicef.org.za
Last modified: 16 September 2004 10:42:58.
