03 March 2003
THE Unicef is assisting the Government of Bahrain in putting together an analysis of the situation of Bahraini children and families, to help further address their needs and priorities, says Unicef Gulf Area Office representative, Stefan Toma.
"The Unicef team is extremely happy to have been able to take part in the first annual Children's Arts and Literature Festival held in Bahrain last week and we look forward to working for Bahraini children and to future events, such as this one that do so much to form the personality of each individual child," Toma said on the conclusion of the festival, which was held under the patronage of Shaikha Hala bint Duaij Al Khalifa, wife of the Crown Prince. "I wonder how many of you have realised that it is a child's right to live in this world in peace, to have a proper education, access to health care and even to play and to enjoy the time, we refer to as childhood," he said. Toma said that in 1991, Bahrain signed the convention on the rights of a child, which protects and advocates for the rights of children worldwide - leaving no child out, putting children first, caring for every child, stopping harm and exploitation of children, protecting children from war, protecting the earth for future generations of children, fighting poverty and investing in children, educating children and listening to children.
"The festival took all these into account especially educating and listening to children. Though I was in Riyadh, some of my friends helped me to follow up on many activities of the festival. It was wonderful to see the bright faces of Bahraini children as they developed their talents, expressing themselves through writing and poetry. It was heart-warming to see them express their dreams in interviews on Ainda Ma Kibir ('When I Grow Up')."
THE Unicef is assisting the Government of Bahrain in putting together an analysis of the situation of Bahraini children and families, to help further address their needs and priorities, says Unicef Gulf Area Office representative, Stefan Toma.
"The Unicef team is extremely happy to have been able to take part in the first annual Children's Arts and Literature Festival held in Bahrain last week and we look forward to working for Bahraini children and to future events, such as this one that do so much to form the personality of each individual child," Toma said on the conclusion of the festival, which was held under the patronage of Shaikha Hala bint Duaij Al Khalifa, wife of the Crown Prince. "I wonder how many of you have realised that it is a child's right to live in this world in peace, to have a proper education, access to health care and even to play and to enjoy the time, we refer to as childhood," he said. Toma said that in 1991, Bahrain signed the convention on the rights of a child, which protects and advocates for the rights of children worldwide - leaving no child out, putting children first, caring for every child, stopping harm and exploitation of children, protecting children from war, protecting the earth for future generations of children, fighting poverty and investing in children, educating children and listening to children.
"The festival took all these into account especially educating and listening to children. Though I was in Riyadh, some of my friends helped me to follow up on many activities of the festival. It was wonderful to see the bright faces of Bahraini children as they developed their talents, expressing themselves through writing and poetry. It was heart-warming to see them express their dreams in interviews on Ainda Ma Kibir ('When I Grow Up')."
By Naila Barakat
© Bahrain Tribune 2003
