- They call for reflection on the participation of civil society, identify government challenges and enhance dialogue spaces for monitoring compliance with the SDGs and children's rights.
- “We can conclude from the pandemic that no one was spared from the effects, but not all of us suffered the effects under conditions of inequality”: Elian, Ecuador.
- An intergenerational space, where girls, boys, adolescents and young people exchanged reflections on meeting the goals of the SDGs and their relevance to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Representatives of civil society, international organizations and local authorities participated in the International Seminar "SDG and rights of children and youth in Latin America and the Caribbean in the COVID-19 Era", organized by the initiative Weaving Childhood Nets in collaboration with OllinTV, Coalition of NGOs in the Dominican Republic and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
In this meeting where well-known personalities met, Paula Disla, as Executive President of the National Council for Children and Adolescents (CONANI), sent in her opening speech that: "We are working on the development of cities so that girls and boys feel safe growing up in them."
On the other hand, Dr. Rosa Elcarte, representative of UNICEF, presented the presentation "State of the Childhood SDGs in the Dominican Republic", and stated that: “In this country, investment in adolescence and childhood has increased in recent years, and also in times of pandemic to address poverty, increase social protection and the percentage of children with health insurance, however, important challenges persist in maternal and neonatal health, in the quality of education and in the protection of children against violence ”.
Likewise, during her message, María Luisa Benitez, Second Head of the European Union Delegation in the Dominican Republic, thanked and recognized the efforts of articulated organizations that work diligently in favor of the rights of children. "We are on the threshold of the last decade to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and it is essential to reflect on the path that we have yet to travel, although expectations have been ambitious, these goals were designed as a roadmap", he claimed.
In another order, Pavel Isa, Vice Minister of Planning of the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development (MEPyD), in his message, pointed out that "It is necessary to return to the 2030 agenda on the eve of the process of recovering from the impacts of the pandemic."
Through a video message, Esmeralda Arosemena, Rapporteur for Children of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, stated that: “The 17 SDGs and the 169 goals are contributing to the achievement of children's rights as a category that we have to promote from civil society, as citizens that are being built in each of our countries, to ensure and recognize a dignified life for all girls and boys ”.
Next, Juan Martín Pérez, coordinator of Tejiendo Redes de Infancia, remotely from Mexico, invited all those present to act with generational ethics, since one out of every 3 inhabitants in Latin America are people under 18 years of age, adding that : "They have the right to a future that is not limited to political, social and institutional decisions."
Thomas Polanco, coordinator of the Coalition of NGOs for Children of the Dominican Republic, recognized that the protagonists are children and adolescents, who are the inspiration to work on the development of public policies for their benefit. "No child can be left behind", He said.
Similarly, Vanessa, a Dominican teenager, added that "Our opinion is important to make the change we want to experience a reality, we thank those who take us into account for allowing us to express ourselves and participate." In turn, young Cristopher, very pleased; thanked each and every participant, representing the adolescents.
“The state of the SDGs for Dominican children is an issue that occupies the attention of our Government, committed to guaranteeing the well-being and rights of our children and adolescents. Hence the importance of uniting wills, the best and most effective way to work for a country of justice and rights ”, stated the First Lady, Raquel Arbaje.
While at the conference "Prospective for the development of the 2030 Agenda (SDG)" by Benitez of the European Union, said that without education there is no development and that during 2020, 342 countries had to suspend classes, generating concern for children under 8 years of age as one of the most affected sectors. Highlighting that: "We have to strengthen institutions and actions in favor of inclusive education and promote transformation."
Cindy, another Dominican teenager, presented the topic “Eliminate and prevent violence against children and adolescents - ODS # 16”, pointing out that when we talk about violence, other rights such as health and education are violated: "Violence continues to be a method of correction, and due to the fact that it is ingrained in our culture, it is up to us to break patterns and prevent the continued violence of girls and boys."
From Bolivia, Nadia shared the topic “Gender equality as a step to generate alliances and achieve objectives”. He began his presentation, noting: "We are no longer subjects of law, we are protagonists of change." Nadia, in turn, claimed that so much emphasis still needs to be placed on gender equality, when there are laws that protect the equal rights of women.
Meybi, addressed the presentation "Healthy life and well-being for all - ODS # 3". There he recalled that this objective is focused on guaranteeing a healthy life and promoting collective well-being at all ages. “Progress has been made in the fight against infant and maternal mortality rates. In terms of human rights, the pandemic has been a test for society and governments, in the face of the inequalities that already existed. The right is something that nobody gives you, but nobody can take it away from you ”, remarked.
To reflect on “COVID-19 Pandemic: Let's not leave anyone behind”, Elian, from Ecuador revealed that “People migrate because of poverty, because they have nothing to eat. At the international level there are difficulties in defining poverty, but the cultural difference is an index to determine what is understood by well-being and human development. From the health situation due to coronavirus, we can conclude that no one was spared from the effects, but not all of us suffer the consequences in conditions of inequality ”.
"Look of children and adolescents to the progress and challenges of the SDGs" was the topic addressed by Cristian from the Dominican nation. “We are living a new era of union that should lead us to reflect on what we are doing to improve our environment. The goal and the objective must be the protagonist of our history, we must think about the problems that affect us and seek to strengthen ourselves in the hands of the institutions ”, express.
The broadcast of this program is available at the following links:
The second day of the Seminar will be held tomorrow, Thursday, October 7 from 10:00 Dominican Republic, 9:00 Mexico.
About:
Ollin.TV is an Internet television channel created as part of Weaving Childhood Networks in Latin America and the Caribbean, an initiative co-financed by the European Union, which seeks to contribute to the strengthening and consolidation of a platform for the defense of children and adolescents in 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries.
The content of this publication is the exclusive responsibility of Derechos Infancia México AC / Tejiendo Redes Infancia and in no case should it be considered that it reflects the views of the European Union.
Press contact: Alejandra Gallardo / public [email protected]