Meg's update: Int. Day of the African Child: 6-13-11

Today's two day seminar brought together a host of speakers from Africa, UN, gov't, academics and the private sector addressing the negative impact of conflict on the Education, Health, and Psycholigical Well-Being of Children in Zones of Armed Conflict. Ambassador Haroon, from the Pakistan Mission, addressed the educational challenges in his country; 20 million school age children lack access to quality education, medical assistance is inadequate, and poor planning between national and provincial level governments impede efforts to improve the situation. Ms. Anne Marie Goetz, from UN Women, highlighted the ongoing violations against women and children in the Congo, with impunity still protecting the perpetrators; untold physical, psychological, and mental illnesses are carried throughout a child's life cycle. She noted UN Security Council Resolution 1325 promotes world peace, and if implemented, could dramatically speed up efforts to stop sexual violence against women and childen, and make women central to brokering peace. Recommendations: need for gender justice, attitudinal changes, community involvement, CRC honored, legislation and policies agreed to implemented.