From May 8-10, 2002 the United Nations held its first childrens' summit at UN Headquarters in New York, gathering almost 3,000 delegates, including nearly 60 world leaders and over 250 young people, for the three-day conference. An additional 3,000 representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) also attended. Initially scheduled for September, 2001, the conference had been postponed following the 9/11 terrorist attack on New York City.
     A pre-conference symposium on May 7th entitled "Commitment of the World's Religions to Children" was organized by the World Conference on Religion and Peace for presentations by senior religious leaders on how faith communities are addressing the needs of the world's children. Following opening remarks by UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy, speakers included Rev. Takeyasu Miyamoto, President, Myochi-kai; Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, Chairman of Pontifical Council on the Child and Family; Dr. Maher Hathout of Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt; Ms. Jayashree Athavale-Talwalkar, Tattwajnana Vidyapeeth, India; Most Rev. Gunnar Staelsett, Bishop of Oslo, Church of Norway; Grand Rabbi Rene Sirat, Conference of European Rabbis, Msgr. Carlos X. Belo, Bishop of Dili, East Timor; and Rev. Norio Sakai, Chairman Emeritus, Rissho Kosei Kai. A Declaration was read and presented to H.E. Han Seung-soo, President of the UN General Assembly by WCRP Secretary General William Vendley, and closing remarks were made by UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Kul Gautam.
     The three-day Special Session of the General Assembly was opened by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who admonished adults for failing to provide adequately for many of the world's deprived children and requested them to "build a world fit for children." The General Assembly continued its morning and afternoon sessions for the entire three days, giving an opportunity for world leaders or their representatives to deliver statements on issues relating to children. Japan made two statements during the summit, Ms. Makiko Arima, personal representative of Prime Minister Koizumi, reported on the Yokohama Congress against Commercial Exploitation of Children (December 17-20, 2001) on May 9th, and on May 10th, another statement was made by Ms. Atsuko Toyama, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

         

     NGOs were permitted limited access to the GA sessions, but were able to freely attend numerous side events both within the UN and in other locations nearby. Over thirteen Japanese NGOs sent registered delegates to the summit, including the International Shinto Foundation, which was represented by Director-General Yoshimi Umeda, and Paul H. Sherbow of ISF's New York Center.
     On the evening of May 9, UNICEF and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation hosted "A Celebration of Leadership: Change the World with Children," a special evening of entertainment by international youth, and well-known performers. Opening with messages from former President Nelson Mandela of South Africa, President Kim Dae-jung of the Republic of Korea (by video), and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the audience was treated to performances by the UNICEF World Chorus, the National Youth Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, child pianist Wesley Chu, and singers Louie, Myra, Raffi, Tumur Ariuna, Angelique Kidjo, and Eric Dozier. Actors Harry Belafonte, Roger Moore, and other celebrities also participated in the event.
     Among Japanese NGO participants, the Arigatou Foundation was especially active, organizing on May 10th a two-hour inter-religious conference and panel discussion among 50 young people from 20 countries at the Church Center for the United Nations, and hosting a reception at the Kitano Hotel on the evening of Friday May 10th.
                              (Paul Sherbow / ISF New York center)