Full coverage: Children

31.01.2004 KPALIME, TOGO, Jan 30 (CSM) -- "Hello, my name is Jean-Marc. I'll be living here in Togo teaching in schools for the next two years." With this introduction a Peace Corps volunteer got more than he bargained for--a glimpse into the reality of Africa.

30.01.2004 A month after the devastating earthquake in Bam, humanitarian relief groups are deeply involved both in aid distribution and in helping children cope with the trauma. UNICEF is putting up temporary schools, Save the Children is focusing on health-care and recreation. For a list of other NGOs helping in Bam, see Interaction.

30.01.2004 Human rights groups are pleased that three young teenagers were released from the Guantanamo 9-11 detention center yesterday, but note that other youth, aged 16 and 17, are still being held. Moreover, they are not separated from the general population and not being offered any educational or recreational opportunities--in violation of international law.

30.01.2004 Nepalissa mattotehtaissa työskentelevät lapset ovat ahdistuneempia ja he voivat huonommin kuin koulua käyvät ikätoverinsa. Työnteon vaikutuksesta lapsen kehitykseen on kuitenkin hyvin vähän tutkittua tietoa, sillä työskentelevien lasten luo on vaikea päästä, sanoo Esa Alaraudanjoki Kehitysuutisten haastattelussa. Hän väitteli joulukuussa Jyväskylän yliopistossa työnteon vaikutuksesta lasten kehitykseen.

30.01.2004 Education in Nigeria should be declared a disaster area in need of urgent attention, says the registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board. it is time to go beyond mere lip service to rescue the sector that is "producing illiterates." There are schools where up to three different classes are accommodated in one classroom.

30.01.2004 In just one month Jocelyn, 12, has learnt to read. He is attending one of Madagascar’s 260 learning centres scattered in villages in the poor provinces of Fianarantsoa, Majunga, Tamatave and Toliara. The centre is Jocelyn’s first contact with an educational institution. Like many children living in rural Madagascar, Jocelyn’s parents, who are farmers, could not afford to send him to school. “I hope the courses won’t stop. I want to continue to learn,” Jocelyn says, while proudly reading to his parents from his book.

30.01.2004 A study in Nepal tries to gain an understanding of street children's perspectives of their own situation to find out effective interventions.

30.01.2004 An NGO working in the south Indian city of Bangalore reaches out to neglected children and youth by providing shelters, education and caring. It seeks funds for rehabilitation programmes.

29.01.2004 En una guerra qualsevol, una bala que es dirigeix cap a un jove soldat per matar-lo es transforma en una nena que comença a dialogar-hi. Junts, presenten la guerra com un acte innecessari i atroç, que amaga interessos econòmics i jocs de poder. L'autor d'aquest llibre publicat per Destino, Jordi Sierra i Fabra, presenta un conte per als més petits sobre el significat real de la guerra i el rebuig a les seves justificacions.

29.01.2004 En una guerra cualquiera, una bala que se dirige hacia un joven soldado dispuesta a matarle se transforma en una niña que comienza a dialogar con él. Juntos, presentan la guerra como un acto innecesario y atroz, que esconde intereses económicos y juegos de poder. El autor de este libro publicado por Destino, Jordi Sierra i Fabra, presenta un cuento dirigido a los más pequeños sobre el significado real de la guerra y el rechazo a sus justificaciones.

29.01.2004 Despite a two-year-old ceasefire, there are still many children suffering the effects of 20 years of conflict. It is estimated that 50,000 children in the affected region are out of school. A new report compiled by UNICEF calls for more commitment to make lasting improvements in the lives of Sri Lanka’s most vulnerable children.

29.01.2004 The Guatemalan notary, Susana Luarca Saracho de Umaña, asked the criminal court today for an eight year jail term for Bruce Harris plus his immediate arrest, US$ 125,000 in damages and his deportation from Guatemala upon completion of the sentence. Harris’ defense lawyer, Victor Hugo Navarro, insisted that the accuser has not presented sufficient proof for the three-judge Tribunal to dictate a condemnatory sentence.

29.01.2004 La notaria guatemalteca, Susana Luarca Saracho de Umaña solicitó hoy, por medio de su abogado, ocho años de cárcel para Bruce Harris más su arresto inmediato, su expulsión de Guatemala, USD$125 mil en daños y otra acusación penal. El abogado de Harris, Víctor Hugo Navarro, insistió en que la acusadora no ha presentado pruebas suficientes para que el Tribunal dicte un fallo condenatorio.

28.01.2004 Tirana, 20.01.2004 - The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Alvaro Gil-Robles, and Minsitry of Labour and Social Affairs of Albania organised a forum entitled “Combating trafficking of children in Europe” on 19 and 20 January in Tirana, at the Hotel Sheraton.

28.01.2004 Experience shows that children who receive quality care and early educational opportunities perform significantly better academically. However, children living in poverty have a substantially lower chance of receiving early education, formal childcare or even informal care provided by any paid adult.

28.01.2004 Con la firma del convenio centroamericano de cooperación, en contra de los grupos denominados 'maras', se está criminalizando la pobreza y promoviendo la discriminación juvenil, aseguraron activistas pro derechos de la niñez y la juventud.

27.01.2004 Natasha Matembele came into Forest Gate School in East London as usual on a Wednesday morning and told staff she was going to be deported to Angola the next day. Students and teachers then successfully campaigned for her to stay. Schools Against Deportation, set up by the Institute for Race Relations, shows how schools can help prevent deportation.

27.01.2004 Young asylum seekers and refugees in the UK often suffer from psychological and emotional trauma as a result of their experiences. The Haven Project, set up by Action for Children in Conflict, works in selected UK schools to offer these children therapy.

27.01.2004 The two-day round-table discussion “Rights of Roma in Education” ended yesterday in Zagreb. The discussion was organized by the Croatian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights (HHO) and the European Centre for the Rights of Roma. Among other issues, it was announced at the round-table discussion that, because of the discrimination and segregation of Roma children in the schools in Medjimurje, a lawsuit will be filed at the European Court for Human Rights in Strasbourg, if the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Croatia fails to rule on the issue by the end of April.

27.01.2004 The Delhi High Court has asked the Delhi government and the Delhi Development Authority to ensure that 25% of students from weaker sections of society are admitted to private schools that have been granted land at concessional rates.