Lulua
28-09-2001, 11:36
END CHILD POVERTY
WAHIDA VALIANTE CIC VP TAKES PART IN FAST AND PRAYERS
{abridged for FB}
================================================== ====================
Among the many things that came crashing to a halt in the aftermath of
the September 11th disaster was the UN Special Session on Children. The
Special Session is a follow-up to the UN Convention on the Rights of the
Child, assessing what has been done and what else needs to happen. The
Special Session was due to begin the week of September 17.
As we sift through the debris, searching for signs of hope for our world,
fulfilling our promise of a better world for our children has to be a
major priority. It is time to redouble our effort to make good that promise.
If our response to the horrible tragedy in the US goes no farther than
bringing the masterminds to justice, to tightening security or seeking to
exact revenge, we will remain in a world marked more by fear than by hope.
That is why the three of us have pledged to take part in a week of
prayer and fasting and a call to political conscience to end child poverty.
From September 27-October 4th, we are participating in the 'End Child Poverty
Fast'. We each - a Christian, a Jew, a Muslim - are joining hundreds of
other people of faith to work for an end to children's daily nightmares.
Injustices are all too clear for children whose lives are stunted by
malnutrition; whose mothers and fathers watch helplessly as their
children die from treatable diseases simply because the medicines are
unavailable or are too expensive; who get conscripted as soldiers to commit
atrocities; who become the innocent victims of brutal wars, oppression,
sanctions and genocides; who get forced into slavery, indentured servitude or
sexual exploitation.
These injustices are all too common in our world, even in rich lands like
Canada. How is it possible that thousands of Canadian children could face
hunger each month? That families have no place to call home? That especially
among aboriginal children, despair is so deep that the only escape is suicide?
Canada must make good on its pledge to children. This requires focusing our
efforts more on human development abroad, and less on fostering Canada's
global competitiveness. It means facing up to how we have neglected our
own children in Canada - allowing poverty, hunger and homelessness to become
entrenched in our land.
The tragic events of September 11 have given new meaning to this call to
end child poverty. If we are to have any hope of building a world marked
by peace and mutual understanding instead of fear and despair, we must
build it on the foundation of social justice. We invite people of all faiths
to join in the 'End Child Poverty Fast', to stand in solidarity with poor
families and to make our voices heard.
Greg deGroot-Maggetti is Socio-economic Concerns Co-ordinator for Citizens
for Public Justice. Carly Steinman is Social Action Co-ordinator for the
Canadian Council for Reform Judaism. Wahida Valiante is Vice-President
of the Canadian Islamic Congress.
For more information, or to participate in the 'End Child Poverty Fast',
please call Greg deGroot-Maggetti 416-979-2443 ext 22, 1-519-576-2715 or
1-800-667-8046.
WAHIDA VALIANTE CIC VP TAKES PART IN FAST AND PRAYERS
{abridged for FB}
================================================== ====================
Among the many things that came crashing to a halt in the aftermath of
the September 11th disaster was the UN Special Session on Children. The
Special Session is a follow-up to the UN Convention on the Rights of the
Child, assessing what has been done and what else needs to happen. The
Special Session was due to begin the week of September 17.
As we sift through the debris, searching for signs of hope for our world,
fulfilling our promise of a better world for our children has to be a
major priority. It is time to redouble our effort to make good that promise.
If our response to the horrible tragedy in the US goes no farther than
bringing the masterminds to justice, to tightening security or seeking to
exact revenge, we will remain in a world marked more by fear than by hope.
That is why the three of us have pledged to take part in a week of
prayer and fasting and a call to political conscience to end child poverty.
From September 27-October 4th, we are participating in the 'End Child Poverty
Fast'. We each - a Christian, a Jew, a Muslim - are joining hundreds of
other people of faith to work for an end to children's daily nightmares.
Injustices are all too clear for children whose lives are stunted by
malnutrition; whose mothers and fathers watch helplessly as their
children die from treatable diseases simply because the medicines are
unavailable or are too expensive; who get conscripted as soldiers to commit
atrocities; who become the innocent victims of brutal wars, oppression,
sanctions and genocides; who get forced into slavery, indentured servitude or
sexual exploitation.
These injustices are all too common in our world, even in rich lands like
Canada. How is it possible that thousands of Canadian children could face
hunger each month? That families have no place to call home? That especially
among aboriginal children, despair is so deep that the only escape is suicide?
Canada must make good on its pledge to children. This requires focusing our
efforts more on human development abroad, and less on fostering Canada's
global competitiveness. It means facing up to how we have neglected our
own children in Canada - allowing poverty, hunger and homelessness to become
entrenched in our land.
The tragic events of September 11 have given new meaning to this call to
end child poverty. If we are to have any hope of building a world marked
by peace and mutual understanding instead of fear and despair, we must
build it on the foundation of social justice. We invite people of all faiths
to join in the 'End Child Poverty Fast', to stand in solidarity with poor
families and to make our voices heard.
Greg deGroot-Maggetti is Socio-economic Concerns Co-ordinator for Citizens
for Public Justice. Carly Steinman is Social Action Co-ordinator for the
Canadian Council for Reform Judaism. Wahida Valiante is Vice-President
of the Canadian Islamic Congress.
For more information, or to participate in the 'End Child Poverty Fast',
please call Greg deGroot-Maggetti 416-979-2443 ext 22, 1-519-576-2715 or
1-800-667-8046.