Actress Alyssa Milano joins Kosovar children to celebrate Children’s Day 2010
Activities organized to promote tolerance and understanding among ethnic groups
PRISTINA, Kosovo (June 3, 2010) — Actress and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Alyssa Milano participated in a series of activities here in the Balkan republic of Kosovo meant to give children a voice in society and promote peace and tolerance among children and communities. The events, which included sports and arts activities for several hundred children, kicked off a series of celebrations marking Children’s Day (June 1), and were organized by UNICEF and partners World Vision and Sport Sans Frontières.
The events highlighted that all children share the same rights and that all communities have an obligation to work towards fulfilling the rights of children from all backgrounds. During the event, the children expressed that they all share common aspirations in terms of education, health, friendship, peace and a safe and healthy environment. They urged adults to bear their best interest in mind and to find practical solutions that have a positive impact on their lives.
"Children have a lot to say and they have a right to be heard; it is our responsibility to listen and give them opportunities to interact with their peers from all communities," said Milano, a dedicated advocate for children and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
This message is reinforced by children themselves, as Kids for Peace Clubs across Kosovo have also sent a powerful statement: "Children all over the world should be able to live without violence and to have hope for a better future. We represent the future of Kosovo, and our desire is to live in a place where people tolerate differences and respect each other. With the support of adults, let our ideas and our voices be heard."
Eleven years after the Kosovo conflict, and despite some progress, ethnic divisions still hamper the interaction between different communities in Kosovo society and a high degree of mistrust among Kosovo's ethnic groups remains palpable as it was witnessed this week in Mitrovica, where the events were scheduled to take place but were moved because of unrest and security concerns in the divided city. In this context, continued social tensions inhibit children and youth of different ethnic communities from communicating with each other. Thus, considering that more than 50 percent of Kosovo's population is under the age of 25, it appears evident that sustainable peace is unattainable without the participation of children and young people and that there is urgent need to overcome ethnic divisions and build capacity for conflict resolution amongst children and youth.
UNICEF expresses its strong regret that today's events with children could not take place on both parts of Mitrovica town as it had been planned. UNICEF urges local authorities, decision makers and communities to consider first and foremost the best interest of the child and their right to participate meaningfully in public life at all times. UNICEF believes that children are powerful agents for change and that each generation is a chance for a new and different beginning.
UNICEF would like to thank World Vision's "Kids for Peace" and Sports Sans Frontières clubs for supporting today's event and giving children from all communities the opportunity to get together and celebrate.
About UNICEF
UNICEF has saved more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. Working in over 150 countries, UNICEF provides children with health care, clean water, nutrition, education, emergency relief, and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF’s work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States.
UNICEF is at the forefront of efforts to reduce child mortality worldwide. There has been substantial progress—the annual number of under-five deaths dropped from 13 million in 1990 to 8.8 million in 2008. But still, 24,000 children die each day from preventable causes. Our mission is to do whatever it takes to make that number zero by giving children the essentials for a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org
For more information please contact:
Richard Alleyne, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 212.880.9177, ralleyne@unicefusa.org
