Uitreiking International Children's Peace Prize
Opening address by Maxime Verhagen, Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the International Children’s Peace Prize ceremony.
Ridderzaal, 16 December 2007
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
I am delighted to welcome you all to the Ridderzaal, the Hall of Knights, this afternoon for the award of the International Children’s Peace Prize.
“The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children.” There is great truth in these words by the German theologian Dietrich Bonhö ffer. Adults would do well to remember, and honour, this responsibility. But children do not always stand by passively, accepting what society offers them. They, too, play a role in determining their future, in shaping society and claiming their rights. That is why we are here today. To shine the spotlight on children who are trying valiantly to improve their lot in life, and that of other children. To honour those children who make a special contribution to the rights of the child.
The International Children’s Peace Prize – the brainchild of the Dutch foundation “KidsRights” – was created in 2005 at the World Summit of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates. The first prize was awarded posthumously to Nkosi Johnson of South Africa, who spent much of his tragically short life fighting for the rights of children with HIV/AIDS. Last year the prize was won by Om Prakash Gurjar of India, for his campaign against child labour. Om Prakash is here today, and will also be addressing you. To me, as an adult and as Minister of Foreign Affairs, the courage shown by children like Nkosi and Om Prakash, as well as today’s young winner, sets a shining example. The prize is a rightful recognition of their efforts. Hopefully it will also encourage children to carry on in the knowledge that they are not alone.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
Human rights are universal. They apply in all places, at all times and to all people – but above all to children. Because children are among the most vulnerable members of society, their rights need extra protection. I believe, and the entire Dutch government believes, that human rights must be central to our foreign policy. With this in mind, I recently presented a human rights strategy, which we intend to implement at every level of government. The strategy includes a very specific focus on children.
The acknowledgement that the protection of children merits special attention has been a long time in coming. In the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948, the word “children” appears only twice. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child of 1989 was one of the last UN human rights conventions to come into being. Yet it has been ratified by more countries – 191 in all – than any of the others.
In some countries, the protection of children’s rights clashes with prevailing cultural norms. Not everyone agrees that corporal punishment should be banned, that children should not be forced into marriage, or that girls have as much right to education as boys. My own view is that children’s rights should never be compromised; cultural or religious differences should never be used as an excuse to undermine them. If we permit that, we sacrifice the principle of universality on the altar of cultural diversity.
Theory is one thing – practice another. That is why sustained, international attention is so important. And why the International Children’s Peace Prize makes such a valuable contribution. Last week, representatives from all over the world met in New York for a UN Special Session on Children. A session about children, yes, but also with children, as well as youth representatives. We discussed whether, over the past five years, we have come any closer to our common objective, a “World Fit for Children”.
There is no doubt that progress has been made. In 2006, the number of children who died before their fifth birthday fell below the ten million mark. Around 1960, an estimated 20 million children under five were dying every year.1 Success was also scored in the field of education: in over sixty per cent of developing countries, ninety per cent of children are registered at a primary school. Unfortunately, progress hasn’t been made on every front. The treatment of widespread childhood diseases like pneumonia and malaria has seen little improvement. And the fight against HIV/AIDS among children requires our continued attention.
This week André Rouvoet, the Dutch youth and families minister, announced in New York that the Netherlands will be trying extra hard in the coming years to combat violence against children. We want to put an end to child labour, which is now a harsh reality for 200 million children. We will try to do so through political efforts, and investment in education and poverty reduction. In the European Union, I will take the initiative in seeking effective measures to combat child labour, starting with a ban on imported goods produced using the worst forms of child labour. I believe such measures will aid Om Prakash in his battle, and give child labourers the chance of a better life. We also want to tackle the plight of girls. All children are vulnerable, but girls most of all. Unfortunately, they still don’t have the chance to go to school as often as boys, and they risk being married off young or even sold. In 2009, the Netherlands will hold an international conference together with the UN, looking at ways of improving opportunities for girls.
Last week, the European Union adopted new guidelines on children’s rights. In them, the member states agree to promote children’s rights outside the Union, and especially to combat violence against children. In this way, the EU is building on the recommendations of Professor Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, the independent expert appointed by the UN Secretary-General to study violence against children.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
Today’s award goes to a child who has fought hard for the universal right of every child to go to school. There is a fitting link here with the efforts of last year’s winner. Because one of the most important ways of combating child labour is by providing education. Education is key to improving the position of the poor and vulnerable. If this group can be prevented from falling by the wayside, they will no longer risk social and economic exclusion.
Children are the future. But these are just empty words if we do not take action today. We must make every effort to ensure that children everywhere can lead a safe, carefree and happy life which is free of violence and rich in opportunity. We cannot stand by while children suffer. Or, as Professor Pinheiro put it: “Children are tired of being told they are the future. They want to see us fulfil our promises in the present, and enjoy their right to be protected from violence today.” Let us take these words to heart.
Thank you.
1: Progress for Children: A World Fit for Children Statistical Review (No.6), 2007, page 2