David Beckham, Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF
United Nations, New York, USA, November 20, 2019 – David Beckham, Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, at the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child today at the UN Headquarters in New York.
Photo: Luiz Rampelotto/EuropaNewswire
UN General Assembly, November 20, 2019
Marking the World Children’s Day, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham today said, “As leaders, as public figures, as parents and of course as human beings, we must all do more to protect children’s dreams, because the future doesn’t belong to us, it belongs to children.”
Recalling his experience visiting many children in the world, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors David Beckham said, “young people are calling for a planet that can support them and future generations, where our resources are sustainable, and our environment is protected.”
He also said that the children are calling for “peace, for an end to violence, an end to war, an end to the political and cultural divisions that destroy communities, tear families apart and endanger children’s lives every single day.”
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Millie Bobby Brown addressed the issue of online bullying. She said, “I am convinced that social media doesn’t have to be a place of fear, bullying, and harassment. It can bring people together. It can be a place of love and support.”
Brown continued, “somewhere in the world right now, a teenager girl is being bullied online. She is scared, she’s vulnerable, she feels alone. My message to her is this: you are not alone, there are people who care about you and there are people who would listen if you reach out for help.”
Echoing her peer Greta Thunberg on climate change, Brown said: “young people like her are shouting for the world leaders to hear, to listen and to act.”
She encouraged children in the audience, “every one of you here today can be the loudspeaker that turns our voices into real change, into policies, programs, laws, and investments that keep children safe, that makes our world a better, healthier, stronger place for all.”
Henrietta Fore, Executive Director of UNICEF also spoke at the event. She said, “the best pathway to a more sustainable future for all is to invest in all children.”
Fore said, “today, as we look forward to progress in the next 30 years, let’s recommit to child rights, let’s make these rights real in programmes, policies, and services in every community in every country around the world.”
Today also marks the 30th Anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Youth advocates, high-level representatives from the Member States, specialists from governmental and non-governmental organizations, civil society partners, and more gathered at the United Nations New York Headquarters to highlight the important role of children as agents of change, owners of the future and torch-bearers for child rights and sustainable global development.
November 20th is an important date as it is the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Source: UNTV, EuropaNewswire