Children celebrate peace & a better future on Children’s Day
Organised by UNICEF, World Vision and Sport Sans Frontières the gathering on the banks of the River Ibër/Ibar gave more than 500 children the opportunity to express themselves through songs, paintings and writing.
We represent the future of Kosovo, and our desire is to live in a place where people tolerate differences and respect each other “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 adult support let our ideas and our voice be heard”, said the 400 members of World Vision’s 16 Kids for Peace clubs, which operate in six
municipalities throughout Kosovo.
As the gathering began, white canvases soon turned to a mass of colour as children painted their thoughts – each sharing a desire to just be children that live in peace, regardless of background.
On display were paintings that reflected a plea for action to live in peace. Here, children from various communities gathered around the stage to broaden and strengthen friendship – in contrast to when groups of adults were standing on the dividing line to confront one another.
”Children have a lot to say and they have the right to be heard; it is our responsibility to listen and give them opportunities to interact with their peers from all communities,” said actress and Good Will Ambassador for UNICEF, Alyssa Milano.
...it is our responsibility to listen and give them [children] opportunities to interact with their peers from all communities “Let’s not keep children hostages of the past; let’s not keep our futures hostage of the past,” she continued and invited Sanja, Kristina, and Benita on the stage to read their aspirations. The words peace, children’s rights, healthy and clean environment were prominent in each of their messages.
Amongst the guests that encouraged children and the overall audience to continue to seek change were the UN Development Coordinator Osnat Lubrani, Italian Ambassador Michael Giffoni, and UK Ambassador Andy Sparkes.
World Vision’s Kids for Peace project has worked with thousands of children and youth over the past nine years, equipping them with conflict resolution skills and educating them on responsible living with tolerance towards their peers from other communities in order to overcome decades of ethnic tension.
-Ends-
We represent the future of Kosovo, and our desire is to live in a place where people tolerate differences and respect each other “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 adult support let our ideas and our voice be heard”, said the 400 members of World Vision’s 16 Kids for Peace clubs, which operate in six
municipalities throughout Kosovo.
As the gathering began, white canvases soon turned to a mass of colour as children painted their thoughts – each sharing a desire to just be children that live in peace, regardless of background.
On display were paintings that reflected a plea for action to live in peace. Here, children from various communities gathered around the stage to broaden and strengthen friendship – in contrast to when groups of adults were standing on the dividing line to confront one another.
”Children have a lot to say and they have the right to be heard; it is our responsibility to listen and give them opportunities to interact with their peers from all communities,” said actress and Good Will Ambassador for UNICEF, Alyssa Milano.
...it is our responsibility to listen and give them [children] opportunities to interact with their peers from all communities “Let’s not keep children hostages of the past; let’s not keep our futures hostage of the past,” she continued and invited Sanja, Kristina, and Benita on the stage to read their aspirations. The words peace, children’s rights, healthy and clean environment were prominent in each of their messages.
Amongst the guests that encouraged children and the overall audience to continue to seek change were the UN Development Coordinator Osnat Lubrani, Italian Ambassador Michael Giffoni, and UK Ambassador Andy Sparkes.
World Vision’s Kids for Peace project has worked with thousands of children and youth over the past nine years, equipping them with conflict resolution skills and educating them on responsible living with tolerance towards their peers from other communities in order to overcome decades of ethnic tension.
-Ends-
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