World Summit For Children

A group of students will focus on child abuse when they meet for the annual Model United Nations conference Sunday. Called the World Summit for Children, about 100 high school students will hear from a series of speakers who will give a global perspective to the issues of child abuse and abduction. The program will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Mount of Olives Lutheran Church, 24772 Chrisanta Drive, Mission Viejo.

Two years after the much-publicized World Summit for Children in New York, the United States and other nations are only slowly meeting their commitments to fund programs aimed at halting the deaths of 40,000 children every day from malnutrition and preventable illnesses. President Bush and the leaders of 70 other countries signed a pact in September, 1990, that they said would set a "new ethic for children" by eradicating the worst aspects of hunger and poverty by the year 2000.

As a former teacher and principal, I am keenly aware that society sees patience as one of the most valued qualities in those of us who work directly with children. But, given the evidence of how much we have raised the ante on growing up, it is now clear to me that in matters involving children, patience is no longer a virtue. In fact, at a time when children and childhood are in terminal danger, being patient is irresponsible if not outright criminal.

A group of students will focus on child abuse when they meet for the annual Model United Nations conference Sunday. Called the World Summit for Children, about 100 high school students will hear from a series of speakers who will give a global perspective to the issues of child abuse and abduction. The program will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Mount of Olives Lutheran Church, 24772 Chrisanta Drive, Mission Viejo.

Two years after the much-publicized World Summit for Children in New York, the United States and other nations are only slowly meeting their commitments to fund programs aimed at halting the deaths of 40,000 children every day from malnutrition and preventable illnesses. President Bush and the leaders of 70 other countries signed a pact in September, 1990, that they said would set a "new ethic for children" by eradicating the worst aspects of hunger and poverty by the year 2000.

In what is believed to be the largest gathering ever of world leaders, more than 70 heads of state and government from Albania to Zimbabwe assembled here Saturday to launch an ambitious campaign spotlighting the needs of children.

President Bush Sunday urged the World Summit for Children to "strive together" so that "children can be saved" as his Administration insisted it would not sign an international convention protecting children because the treaty forbids execution of minors. "Our children are a mirror, an honest reflection of their parents and their world," Bush told the more than 70 heads of state and government gathered together at the United Nations for the summit.

Twenty-two American corporations today launched an alliance with the United Nations in an effort to save the lives of millions of children worldwide. Responding to the recent World Summit for Children, the leaders of the Corporate Alliance for Child Survival said they would donate money to projects supported by UNICEF. Participants in the alliance include American Express, General Mills, Merrill Lynch, PepsiCo, Nabisco Brands, Kraft General Foods and Pier 1 Imports.

Alison Armstrong, director of Rainbows to End Hunger, urges Orange County residents to reach the goals of the recent World Summit for Children and end hunger and malnutrition in children ("Success of World Summit for Children Depends on Each of Us," Commentary, Oct. 14). But are we not creating greater suffering by feeding hungry children without educating them and their parents about the dangers of overpopulation? Uncontrolled population growth causes all ages to suffer. Air and water pollution increases as more housing and manufacturing are needed.

We are usually resigned about our inability to have any real impact on the serious problems facing our communities. We wish our political leadership would do something. But when our elected leaders commit themselves to ambitious goals, we are skeptical. When you heard about the declarations made, and the goals set, at the recent World Summit for Children, what was your response? Did you ask, "Is this more political rhetoric?" Did you say, "Sure, talk is cheap"?

President Bush Sunday urged the World Summit for Children to "strive together" so that "children can be saved" as his Administration insisted it would not sign an international convention protecting children because the treaty forbids execution of minors. "Our children are a mirror, an honest reflection of their parents and their world," Bush told the more than 70 heads of state and government gathered together at the United Nations for the summit.

As a former teacher and principal, I am keenly aware that society sees patience as one of the most valued qualities in those of us who work directly with children. But, given the evidence of how much we have raised the ante on growing up, it is now clear to me that in matters involving children, patience is no longer a virtue. In fact, at a time when children and childhood are in terminal danger, being patient is irresponsible if not outright criminal.

In what is believed to be the largest gathering ever of world leaders, more than 70 heads of state and government from Albania to Zimbabwe assembled here Saturday to launch an ambitious campaign spotlighting the needs of children.

I am gratified that the L.A. City Council showed its vision and compassion for the children of Los Angeles when it unanimously approved the bill of rights for children (Metro, Oct. 4). From now on, when the City Council and agencies consider creating and amending policies and laws, they are obligated to consider the impact on shelter, education and other basic needs of children. The City Council's vote was just three days after the U.N. World Summit for Children. Notwithstanding the question of executing minors, children have no political or legal power of their own. The convention helps protect children from abuse and supports their rights to survival needs.

Your article on UNICEF's State of the World's Children Report (Dec. 20) is commendable for putting the daily tragedy of children into focus. Children must be made the highest priority, as the world's leaders agreed at the U.N. World Summit for children. We have long heard about the 40,000 children who die every day, unnecessarily, because there isn't enough food. But your article brought the tragedy home with statistics from Orange County's 70,000 children without a regular source of food other than school or assistance programs.