Small Voices, Big Dreams 2013
A global survey of children’s views on peace, violence, heroes and happinessSmall Voices, Big Dreams 2013 A Global Survey of ChildrenChildFund Alliance members:
Barnfonden, Sweden
Børnefonden, Denmark
ChildFund Australia
ChildFund DeutschlandChildFund International
ChildFund IrelandChildFund Japan

Children’s views on peace,
violence, heroes and happinessChildFund Korea
ChildFund New Zealand
Christian Children’s Fund of Canada
Taiwan Fund for Children and Families
Un Enfant Par La Main, France

term, sustainable, community-based solutions to development

The main causeof violence in mycountry is thesearch for easy
gain.

problems affecting children and their families.

Josué, 11, Benin

MissionChildFund Alliance is an effective global network of child-centred
development organisations working in the poorest countries aroundthe world to create opportunities for disadvantaged children. The
mission of each ChildFund Alliance member is to create long-

In joining together the great strengths of its member
organisations, ChildFund Alliance combines and expands the reachand scope of its members to meet the needs of children living inpoverty. ChildFund Alliance members implement sustainable childfocused, community-based development programs in areas where

This is the fourth annual Small
Voices, Big Dreams reportpublished by the ChildFund
Alliance. Once again, it reinforces
the sophisticated understanding
children have of the world they live
in, and the value in adults taking
the time to listen to what they say.
This year’s survey focussed on
violence and exploitation, withchildren asked to examine the issueof violence in their communities.
Children were also asked todescribe what makes them feelsafe and provides them with asense of happiness.

children are impacted by war, natural disaster, poverty and global
health issues such as HIV/AIDS.
While each member organisation retains its own distinct national
identity and governance by national boards, collectively,ChildFund Alliance is a voice for children and an instrument for
maintaining worldwide standards of performance, efficiency andaccountability.

We have a once in a generation
opportunity for children to be freefrom violence and exploitation.
Join the ChildFund AllianceCampaign atwww.freefromviolence.org

2

Acknowledgements
Respondents: Thank you to the 6,499
children who generously contributed
their thoughts and views to this survey.
Data collection: This survey would not
be possible without the dedicationof ChildFund Alliance staff aroundthe world who spent weeks talking
to children and documenting theiropinions and ideas.
Research: Dr Xiaoyan Zhao, SeniorVice President, Global Research &Consulting, GfK Roper; Asli Erenoglu,
Research Director, GfK Roper.
Report editor: Heather Wiseman

It is clear from the results that the
6,499 children who participatedare not cocooned from the effectsof violence that exist in theirrespective countries. At just 10-12
years of age, they are aware ofits causes and have consideredviews on how they would prevent
violence in their communities.
In developing countries, children
rank poverty, domestic abuse andsocial conflict highly as causes ofviolence. In results that I find quite
inspiring, they also recognise how
crucial education is to reducing
violence, protecting children andachieving a better life.

Graphic designer: Kate Shepherd
Photography: © members of theChildFund Alliance, 2013. Cover image:Josué, 11, from Benin. Back coverimage: Lokol, 10, from Kenya.

Children in developing countries
are five times more likely to derivehappiness and a sense of safety
from schooling compared to theirpeers in developed countries. We
get a sense of its importance from
Pedro, 12, from Timor-Leste where
80% of children believe everyone
should have a good education.
“When the rain comes and floods, I
cannot go to school,” he says “I feelsad because I have no chance tolearn new lessons.”
Consistent with this theme, children
from developing countries are
more likely to view their teachers as
heroes than in the western world.
As you might expect, children
in developed countries havesuggested different causes ofviolence – largely drugs andalcohol. Erin, 10, from Australia says
it causes domestic violence. “Manyadults have too much alcoholand drugs and hurt or treat theirfamilies in a bad way,” she says.
Lisa, 12 from Taiwan has insight interms of why: “Alcohol will disrupt
people’s willpower and cause theiremotions to go up and down.”
In developed countries, children’s
top priority was being safe from
crimes and violence, rather
than education. While they see
education as being important, they
associate safety and happinesswith equality and being among
friends.
When the results are viewed
globally, children are most likely toattribute violence to bad behaviour– a concept that’s simply put, butultimately very true. Globally, if they
were made leaders, their priority
would be increasing law and orderto protect children.
This year children have also
reminded us of the supreme
importance of family and theimpact of family members as rolemodels, educators and influencers.
Of all the people who could be
potential heroes in children’s eyes,
globally, family ranked first. It’sa result that is reassuring, givenChildFund’s focus on working
to overcome challenges so thatchildren can remain in their homes.
Around the world, when asked
what peace meant to them,children were most likely to say“no war”. I was interested to learn
that the next highest response was“harmony and unity”. While bothconcepts are interrelated, they are
not the same. Children want both. I
think Mark, 11, from the Philippines
is quietly profound in explaining
what children want for our world.
“People are fighting,” he says. “Iwant them to be smiling always.”

Jim Emerson
Secretary GeneralChildFund Alliance3Small Voices, Big Dreams 2013

A Global Survey of Children

Global snapshot: child participants 2013

SwedenCanadaGermany
IrelandMongolia

FranceUnited States
Nepal

Korea

Japan

Afghanistan
Dominica and
St Vincent
MexicoGuatamalaNicaragua

Honduras

Laos
SenegalCape Verde
The Gambia
GuineaBrazilVietnamMali
Burkino Faso

Cambodia

Phillipines

Ethiopia

Sierra Leone
Liberia
Ghana

EcuadorTaiwan

India

Togo

Benin

Kenya
UgandaSri Lanka

Indonesia
Timor-Leste

Bolivia
MozambiqueParaguay
ZambiaAustralia
New ZealandParticipating developed countries
Participating developing countries

45

Small Voices, Big Dreams 2013

A Global Survey of Children

What makes you feelsafe and happy?

I was often beaten at least twicea week. Sometimes, he [my now
deceased father] beat me every day
without any explanation.

Around the world, children say they feel safest and happiest
when they are with their family (56%) or friends (21%),attending school (17%), at home (13%) or playing games andsports (11%)

Tinh, 11, Vietnam

Being with family
Feeling safe and happy when with family members isparticularly high in the Americas (69%), compared with Asia(45%) and Africa (43%).
Being with friends
The company of friends is more important to children’s senseof wellbeing in developed countries (31%) than developing
countries (14%). Friends rank first, ahead of family, in Sweden(47%). Friends also rank highly in Australia (45%).
School and education
School has more impact on children feeling safe and happy indeveloping countries (25%) than developed countries (5%). It
rates most highly in Asia (35%), particularly in Nepal (84%).

Hugo, 11, is from France where
almost three-quarters of children say
they feel safe and happy when they
are with family. For Hugo, it’s when hehas:

My mum and my blanket.

Being at home
Home ranks more highly in developed countries (19%) thandeveloping (9%). In Sri Lanka being at home (27%) rates
ahead of being at school (25%), with family (20%),or withfriends (4%). Home ranks most highly with children in Mexico(32%).
Playing games/sports
Children in Asia (18%) are most likely to name games andsport as a way of feeling safe and happy, compared to just 7%
in developed countries.
Country trends
In Guinea, 27% of children feel safe and happy when they
are not in trouble, being bothered, hit or beaten, as do 18% ofchildren in Indonesia and 16% in Cambodia.
In Afghanistan (27%), Guinea (20%) and Indonesia (10%)
children feel safe and happy when there is peace and no
more war.

6

Solongo, 11, is from Mongolia
where 59% of children surveyed feelsafe and happy when they arewith family.

Tinh, 12, is from Vietnam
where almost half of children
surveyed reported feelingsafe and happy when withfamily. For 8%, it’s when they
are not in trouble, being
bothered, hit or beaten.

7

Small Voices, Big Dreams 2013

A Global Survey of Children

Nowadays,
streets are very
dangerous. You
can’t trust anyone
when they offer
you a job ormoney. You don’tknow their real
intentions.

Modou, 10, is from The Gambia where
almost one-third of children say they
feel safe and happy when they areplaying games and sport. For 12%, it
is when they are with family. Modou
dreams of being a professional
footballer.

María Emilia, 12, Bolivia

The football field and the classes are
one of the things that I love about myschool.

What makes you feel safe and happy?

All countries	

All developing
countries	

All developed
countries	

Africa(developing
only)

Americas(developing
only)

Asia
(developing
only)

María Emilia, 12, is from Bolivia where almost 80% ofchildren say they feel safe and happy with their family.

Being with family

56%

50%

65%

43%

69%

45%

Being with friends

21%

14%

31%

12%

10%

18%

School/education

17%

25%

5%

25%

12%

35%

Being at home

13%

9%

19%

7%

9%

11%

Playing games/sports

11%

14%

7%

12%

14%

18%

Having my basic needs taken care of

5%

6%

4%

10%

1%

5%

Hansana, 11, is from Sri Lanka where
27% of children reported feeling safeand happy when at home. For 20%,
it’s when they are with family.

When I’m not in trouble/being bothered, hit or beaten

3%

5%

2%

5%

4%

5%

Peace/no more war

3%

4%

1%

4%

2%

5%

Being around people I know/trust

3%

1%

4%

1%

2%

1%

I feel safe and happy playing with mybrother and sister.

Having fun/doing things I enjoy/laughing

3%

2%

3%

2%

2%

2%

Being healthy

2%

2%

1%

4%

1%

1%

Religious beings/places/god

2%

3%

1%

4%

3%

0%

A good environment/safe neighbourhood

2%

1%

2%

1%

2%

2%

Pets

2%

0%

5%

0%

0%

0%

Kuathor, 10, is from Lao where 82% of children surveyed feel safe andhappy when they are with family.

What makes me happy is my parents, because they live with us, andplaying rugby.
89Small Voices, Big Dreams 2013

A Global Survey of Children

If you were the leader ofyour country, what is the
ONE thing you would do
to protect the childrenof your country fromviolence?
As leaders of their countries, children globally say they would
increase law and order (30%), improve education (12%) or
guarantee the personal safety of all children (12%) in order toprotect other children from violence.
Increase law and order
Increasing law and order if given a position of power is a highpriority for Zambian children (66%), but it is barely mentioned
by children in Afghanistan (1%). Increasing law and order
was the top-rated response from children from all developed
countries, particularly Korea (52%).

Christopher, 10, is from Zambia,
where two-thirds of children say theywould increase law and order and
16% would improve education.

I will ask the police to arrest theviolent people and send them to jail.

Improve education
Children in developing countries (17%) are more likely thanthose in developed countries (6%) to see education as a way
leaders can protect children.
Guarantee children’s personal safety
As leaders, 40% of children from Sierra Leone would guarantee
children’s personal safety. This is the biggest priority for children
in Mali (23%) and Nicaragua (28%). It ranks second in
Ethiopia (27%) and Guatemala (21%).
Country trends
Stopping domestic violence and abuse is the highest priority
for children in Vietnam (28%) and the second highest in
Mexico (21%).
Building schools is important to children in Afghanistan (26%)
and The Gambia (21%), while it barely rates a mention indeveloped countries.
Banning guns is a priority for children in the USA (21%) andCanada (15%). It is not mentioned by children in any of the
Asian or African countries surveyed.

Min-gyu, 11, is from Korea where overhalf of all children surveyed would
increase law and order, 9% would
improve education and 9% would
provide shelter and safe houses forchildren.

I will initiate an education program
to prevent violence for children
everywhere.

I would have a new stringent law topunish all those who commit crimes onchildren. I would have police arrest andpunish those who ever tease girls while
going to school. I would stop the saleof alcohol as it fuels much violence invillages.
Shravan, 11, India

10

Shravan, 11,
is from India
where 41%of children
reported
that they
would
increase law
and order
and almost
20% would
improveeducation.

11

Small Voices, Big Dreams 2013

A Global Survey of Children

I would fight against
excision [female
circumcision], the earlymarriage and the childlabor.
Djiba, 12, Mal

Heydi, 10, is from Nicaragua where 28% of children say they would guarantee children’s personal safety, 17% would
increase law and order, 10% would stop domestic violence and 10% would provide shelter and safe houses for children.

I would help children so they do not get mistreated. I would give them a home so they can feel safe.

12

Africa(developing
only)

Americas(developing
only)

Asia
(developingonly)

I will write a letter to all the village leaders and compound stating that all
the people involved in taking children to Nigeria for child labor be arrested.

All developed
countries	

Marcel, 12, is from Benin where over one-third of children say they would
increase law and order and 16% would stop domestic violence.

Let children decide whether they likeliving with their parents. Children
have to feel safe with the people they
live with. A child has to have a safeand happy place to be.

All developing
countries	

Kate, 11, is from New Zealand where
almost 30% of children surveyed
would increase law and order and
15% would guarantee children’s
personal safety.

If you were the leader of yourcountry, what is the ONE thing you
would do to protect the children ofyour country from violence?

All countries	

Djiba, 12, is from Mali where 23% of children report theywould guarantee children’s personal safety, 22% increase
law and order and 15% stop domestic violence.

More law/order

30%

28%

33%

31%

31%

22%

Improve education

12%

17%

6%

18%

12%

18%

Guarantee childrens’ personal safety

12%

13%

11%

12%

16%

11%

Provide shelter/safe houses

7%

6%

8%

6%

8%

5%

Stop violence

5%

6%

4%

3%

5%

11%

Stop domestic abuse/violence

4%

6%

2%

5%

7%

6%

Build schools

3%

5%

0%

6%

1%

6%

Ban guns

3%

0%

6%

0%

1%

0%

Provide basic needs

2%

3%

1%

5%

3%

2%

Ban drugs/alcohol

2%

1%

4%

0%

3%

1%

Ensure parental care/protection

2%

2%

2%

3%

2%

2%

Help the poor

2%

2%

2%

2%

2%

3%

13

Small Voices, Big Dreams 2013

A Global Survey of Children

What do you think are
the main causes ofviolence in your country?
Globally, bad behaviour – including disobedience, laziness,greed and lying – is the most common reason children give forviolence (29%), followed by poverty (17%), alcohol (16%), drugs(12%), and social conflict (11%).
Bad behaviour
More children in developed countries (33%) report bad
behaviour as a cause of violence than in developing countries(26%).
Poverty
Poverty is seen as a cause of violence particulary by children
in Africa (29%), Asia (18%) and developing nations generally(21%).

Cameron, 12, is from Canada where
37% of children surveyed think bad
behaviour causes violence, before
poverty (16%) and guns (11%).

I think the main causes of violence in
my country are drugs and gangs.

Alcohol
Most children in Cambodia (90%) blame alcohol for violence.
Alcohol is also the most common response given in Mongolia(53%), Australia (45%), Vietnam (41%), New Zealand (35%),
Bolivia (31%) and Ireland (28%).
Drugs
Children from developed countries (18%) are more likely to
see drugs as a cause of violence than those in developing
countries (8%). It is the most common response given in Cape
Verde (44%), Brazil (37%) and the USA (20%) although the same
proportion of USA children nominate guns (20%).
Social unrest
Social conflict was the top-billing cause of violence identified bychildren in Kenya (50%) and Ghana (45%).
Country trends
Striking figures on domestic abuse being the main cause ofviolence come from Nicaragua (68%), followed by Paraguay(38%) and Ecuador (32%). This reflects in the relatively high result
for the Americas (20%) compared with Africa (8%) and Asia (9%).
Children from Afghanistan (70%) say war and fighting is the main
reason for violence, as do children in Timor-Leste (36%) and Laos (29%).

Lisa, 12, is from Taiwan where children
report bad behaviour (41%), alcohol(28%) and social conflict (16%) ascauses of violence.

Drinking alcohol, because alcohol will
disrupt people’s willpower and cause
their emotions to go up and down.

Lydia, 11, is from
Uganda wherechildren in the survey
say bad behaviour(31%), poverty (22%)
and domestic abuse(22%) cause violence.

I would
talk to thepolicemen
not tocause
violence tochildren.
Lydia, 11,Uganda

Relatively few children globally say corruption is a cause ofviolence, except in Sierra Leone (47%) where it ranks first.
While bullying didn’t feature strongly as a cause of violence
globally (4%), it stood out in results from Japan (17%) andFrance (13%).
14

15

Small Voices, Big Dreams 2013

A Global Survey of Children

Erin, 10, is from Australia where
almost half of all children surveyed
say alcohol causes violence, as wellas drugs and bad behaviour (both32%) .

I think the main violence in mycountry is domestic violence fromalcohol and drugs. Many adults havetoo much alcohol and drugs and hurt
or treat their families in a bad way. I
think we could stop this by limiting
the amount of alcohol adults drink
and buy.

All countries	

All developing
countries	

All developed
countries	

Africa(developing
only)

Americas(developing
only)

Asia
(developing
only)

Diego, 11, is from Brazil where over one-third of children thinkdrugs cause violence, in addition to bad behaviour (21%).

Bad behaviour

29%

26%

33%

28%

28%

20%

Poverty

17%

21%

10%

29%

11%

18%

Alcohol

16%

13%

21%

6%

11%

25%

Drugs

12%

8%

18%

5%

17%

7%

Social conflict

11%

13%

8%

16%

5%

15%

Domestic abuse/violence

10%

11%

9%

8%

20%

9%

War/fighting

9%

10%

9%

7%

6%

15%

Mónica, 11, is from Paraguay wherechildren think domestic abuse (38%),
crimes and criminals (25%) anddrugs (14%) cause violence.

Lack of education

8%

12%

2%

13%

9%

11%

Criminals/crime

7%

7%

6%

6%

15%

4%

Corruption

4%

6%

3%

6%

7%

4%

The main cause of violence is the lack of
education in the country.

Bullying

4%

1%

7%

0%

2%

2%

Guns

2%

1%

4%

0%

2%

2%

Jealousy

2%

1%

2%

1%

1%

2%

What do you think are the maincauses of violence in your country?

Abigael, 10, is from Kenya where half of children surveyed say social
conflict causes violence, followed by bad behaviour (24%).
16

17

Small Voices, Big Dreams 2013

A Global Survey of Children

Who is your hero?
Children around the world were most likely to report family
members as their heros (46%), followed by political leaders
or activists (11%).
FamilyThe strongest admiration of family comes from children in
Cambodia (93%) and Zambia (81%), in contrast to children
from Ghana (5%). Globally, parents are favourite family
members (36%).
Political leaders and activists
Political leaders and activists are ranked highly by children
in Africa (27%), and more commonly in developing
countries (16%) than developed countries (5%).
Country trends
Fictional characters hold great sway in Paraguay, where
they are heroes to 56% of children (Superman gets special
mention from 13%).
While fictional characters are also popular in Mexico (27%)
and France (25%), they barely rate a mention in many
countries, including Japan (1%) and the USA (1%).

Sebastian, 11, is from Ecuador wherefamily members rate highly as heroes(69%), followed by religious figures(9%) and fictional characters (7%).

My hero is my mom because sheteaches me to be persistent, honest,
responsible and punctual, among someother values.

Very few children globally nominated historical figures as
heroes, with the stark exception of India, where they rated
most highly (23%). Special mention was made of Mahatma
Gandhi (17%) and Subash Chandra Bose (5%).
Sport is a major force in Togo, where athletes rank highest
among children’s heroes (30%) and Togolese footballer
Emmanuel Adebayor is considered a legend (21%).
Teachers and coaches ranked as top-billing heroes in
Ghana (35%) and Nepal (40%). They were more popular in
Asia (10%) and Africa (9%) than the Americas (1%).

Kausada, 12, is from Ghana where
teachers and coaches are popularheroes (35%), followed by politicalleaders and activists (25%), anddoctors and nurses (15%).

My hero is myteacher because sheteaches us, shares
good knowledge
and shows the right
direction to us.
Saraswoti, 12, Nepal

Saraswoti, 12, is from Nepal where teachers andcoaches are top-billing heroes (40%), followed byfamily members (25%) and friends (10%).
18

19

Small Voices, Big Dreams 2013

A Global Survey of Children

Ange, 11, isfrom Laos
where family
members arerespected
heroes (57%)
followed bypolitical
leaders (9%).

Félicité, 10, is from Burkina Faso where
22% of children say their heroes arepolitical leaders or activists, 18%
are family members and 14% areteachers or coaches.

I would like to be like the first lady of
my country, the wife of President Blaise
Compaore, because she takes care ofchildren.

My hero is a
medical doctor.
I want to be a
medical doctor andtreat the poor.

20

All developed
countries	

Africa(developing
only)

Americas(developing
only)

Asia
(developing
only)

Abina, 11, is from Togo where almost one-third of children surveyed say
athletes are their heroes, followed by political leaders and activists (26%)
and family members (14%).

All developing
countries	

Siofra, 11, is from Ireland where
athletes (18%) rank second to family(31%) as heroes.

Who is your hero?

All countries	Ange, 11, Laos

Family

46%

44%

48%

35%

54%

49%

Political leaders/activists

11%

16%

5%

27%

3%

11%

Fictional characters

5%

4%

6%

0%

13%

2%

Teacher/coach

5%

7%

1%

9%

1%

10%

Athletes

5%

4%

6%

7%

1%

1%

Religious beings/figures

4%

6%

3%

3%

18%

1%

Artists and entertainers

3%

2%

4%

2%

1%

4%

Friends

2%

2%

2%

2%

1%

2%

Doctors/nurses

1%

2%

1%

3%

0%

1%

Police

1%

1%

2%

1%

1%

1%

Historical figures

1%

1%

1%

0%

0%

4%
21

Small Voices, Big Dreams 2013

A Global Survey of Children

What does peace mean
to you?
Children around the globe are most likely to define peace as
no war (26%), followed by harmony/unity (20%), no violence(16%), or happiness (16%) and serenity/inner peace (12%).
No war
No war is at the heart of what peace means to children indeveloped countries (34%), much more so than developing(19%).
Harmony and unity
Harmony and unity ranks first in Asia (31%) and the Americas(21%). It scores particularly highly in Laos (60%), Nepal (57%),
Mali (48%), Sri Lanka (42%) and Timor-Leste (42%).
No violence
More children in developed countries (21%) say that peaceis the absence of violence, in comparison with developing
countries (12%). Ths was particularly so in Germany (32%),
Australia (26%) and the US and New Zealand (both 25%)

Alberto, 10 is from Cape Verde where
38% of children reported that peacemeans no war, 20% think it means
harmony or unity and 19% say itmeans happiness.

It’s the solidarity, loveand knowing how totake care of the earth.

Happiness
In Africa, 19% of children report that peace is happiness, withhigh rankings in Liberia (54%), Sierra Leone (50%) and Ghana(36%). Happiness is also a popular understanding of peace forchildren in Vietnam (40%).

Thith, 12, Laos

Serenity and inner peace
Serenity and inner peace is the most popular definition ofpeace from children in Bolivia (39%), Afghanistan (34%), USA(31%), Dominica and St Vincent (30%) and Paraguay (30%).
Country trends
Love is the most popular understanding of peace for children
in Ethiopia (32%). Love ranks second in Laos (53%) andKenya (20%).
The concept of freedom strikes more of a chord with African
children (14%) than those from other regions. Freedom is themost popular definition of peace for children in Togo (31%),
Zambia (31%) and Uganda (16%), and second most popular –behind happiness – in Liberia (41%) and Sierra Leone (41%).

Thith, 12, is from
Laos where 60% ofchildren surveyed
say peace means
harmony and unityand 53% think itmeans love.
Hilma, 11, is from Sweden where 44%of children surveyed say that peacemeans no war and 20% think itmeans harmony or unity.

Peace to me is when people live at
peace and everything is calm andeveryone has the right to their own
opinion.

Children in Cambodia (31%) are the most likely to link peaceto the absence of crime, rating this first, ahead of no violence(26%) and happiness (19%).

22

23

A Global Survey of Children

Small Voices, Big Dreams 2013

Mark, 11, is from the Philippines wherearound one-third of children say
peace means harmony and unity.

People are fighting. I want them to besmiling always.

Peace means
absence of war
Sinamour 12, Benin24

Africa(developing
only)

Americas(developing
only)

Asia
(developing
only)

Not to fight, to be free, to be honest.

All developed
countries	

Erica, 10, is from Guatemala where around one-quarter of children thinkpeace means happiness and 24% say it means harmony and unity.

Manuel, 12, is from Mexico where 24%of children think peace means no war
and 16% think it means happiness.

What does peace mean to you?

All developing
countries	Joschua, 12, is from Germany where
almost half of children surveyed saythat peace means no war.

All countries	

Sinamour, 12, is from Benin where 36% ofchildren in the survey reported that peacemeans no war.

No war

26%

19%

34%

22%

13%

20%

Harmony/unity

20%

22%

19%

15%

21%

31%

No violence

16%

12%

21%

9%

17%

11%

Happiness

16%

17%

14%

19%

16%

16%

Serenity/inner peace

12%

11%

13%

6%

20%

12%

Feeling safe

9%

6%

14%

7%

7%

4%

Love

7%

9%

5%

7%

13%

10%

Freedom

6%

8%

4%

14%

4%

3%

Respect and treat each other as equals

6%

4%

9%

2%

7%

5%

Having basic needs

4%

5%

3%

8%

1%

4%

Family

3%

4%

2%

2%

8%

4%

Friendship

3%

4%

3%

2%

4%

5%

Living without trouble/problems

3%

3%

2%

4%

5%

2%

No crime

3%

2%

4%

1%

2%

4%

Being healthy

2%

3%

1%

6%

1%

2%
25

Small Voices, Big Dreams 2013

A Global Survey of Children

My world

When the raincomes andfloods, I cannot
go to school.
I feel sad
because I haveno chance
to learn new
lessons.

Children were asked which six of 16 possible issues werethe most important for them and their family. This question
is from the United Nations My World Survey, which asks
children and adults to identify their priorities for a betterworld. The results will inform global leaders as they define
the post 2015 Millennium Development Goals.

Serigne, 11, is from Senegal where 81% of children
reported that everyone should have access toclean water and sanitation.

26

Asia
(developing
only)

Loany, 12, is from Honduras where
the majority of children say everyone
should have a good education and
70% believe governments should behonest and responsive.

Americas(developingonly)

An honest and responsive government
Globally children rank in fifth place honest and responsive
governments (44%). This rose to 51% in the Americas, with
70% of children in Honduras including this in their top six.
Children in Cambodia also felt strong about this issue, with
76% of children surveyed naming it as a priority.

Which of these are the mostimportant for you and your family?

Africa(developing
only)

Better healthcare
Improvements in healthcare rank fourth, with 57% of African
children ranking this as a priority, compared to 32% indeveloped countries. This was a very popular issue forchildren in Sierra Leone (83%), Brazil (77%), Senegal (73%)
and Mexico (70%).

All developed
countries	

Equality between men and women
Globally, gender equality ranks third, with relatively
consistent results across Africa (40%), Asia (48%) andthe Americas (45%) as well as developed (48%) anddeveloping (44%) countries. Gender equality ranks first in
Mozambique (79%), Germany (66%) and Liberia (48%).

Pedro, 12, is from Timor-Leste where
80% of children say everyone
should have a good education.

All developing
countries	

Protection against crime and violence
Ranking second globally is everyone being safe from
crimes and violence (53%), which resonates more withchildren in developed countries (61%) than developing
countries (48%).

Pedro, 12, Timor-Leste

Sina, 11, is from Cambodia where 77%of children surveyed believe everyone
should have a good education and
76% believe governments should behonest and responsive.

All countries	

A good education
Globally, everyone having a good education (65%) is themost highly rated of 16 issues put to children, though it
rated more in developing countries (72%) than developed
countries (55%). Education receives an overwhelming
response in the Americas (80%), most notably in Paraguay(98% -- the highest response to any question in this survey).

A good education

65%

72%

55%

66%

80%

74%

Protection against crime and violence

53%

48%

61%

48%

52%

43%

Equality between men and women

46%

44%

48%

40%

45%

48%

Better healthcare

44%

52%

32%

57%

52%

47%

An honest and responsive government

44%

46%

40%

41%

51%

50%

Access to clean water and sanitation

43%

45%

41%

51%

39%

42%

Freedom from discrimination and persecution

42%

36%

49%

32%

42%

37%

Support for people who can’t work

40%

40%

39%

38%

38%

46%

Affordable and nutritious food

37%

35%

41%

44%

24%

30%

Protecting forests, rivers and oceans

36%

30%

46%

23%

41%

30%

Action taken on climate change

29%

21%

41%

19%

21%

23%

Reliable energy at home

29%

32%

25%

36%

30%

29%

Better transport and roads

25%

32%

16%

31%

29%

35%

Phone and internet access

21%

22%

21%

24%

15%

24%

Better job opportunities

19%

23%

13%

25%

22%

23%

Political freedoms

17%

16%

18%

20%

10%

16%

27

Small Voices, Big Dreams 2013
Small Voices, Big Dreams 2013

A Global Survey of Children“Small Voices, Big Dreams”
of Japan“Protecting from crime and violence”
is a top priority of children in developed countries.
“Small voices, Big Dreams” which is the questionnaire to investigate
children’s inner feelings started in 2010.
for this year, from 47 counties, 6,499 children who were 10 to 12 yearold took part in.
As a representative of Japan, pupils of five and six grade elementary
school of Amanuma(Suginami, Tokyo) had been attended, totally 139
children cooperate.
In this questionnaire, children answered to 6 questions.
from outcomes, we can know about the priority of children is inprotecting their body and mind from crime and violence.
-------------------------------------------------------------------Summary of results----"When do you feel happy and safe?"
Nearly half (49%) of Japanese children feel safest and happiest
with their family. One quarter of Japanese children feel safest
and happiest with their friends. 16 per cent of children said they
feel sagest and happiest when their basic needs are taken careof.
----“If you were the leader of your country, what is the ONE
thing you would do to protect the children on your country
from violence?”
More than one in five Japanese children (21%) said they would
introduce more law and order to protect children from violence
if they were leaders of their country.

What makes you feel safe and happy?
Being with family
Being with friends

All countries

56%
21%

Asia (developing only)

45%
18%

JAPAN

49%
25%

If you were the leader of your country, what is the ONE thing you would do to protect the children of your country from violence?

----“Who is your hero?
Almost half (46%) of the surveyed children named one of theirfamily members as their hero.
-----“Which of these are the most important for you and yourfamily?”Over three in five Japanese children (62%) said one of the mostimportant things to them and their families is that everybody
is safe from crimes and violence. Three out of five surveyedchildren said one of the most important things to them andtheir families is that everybody should be treated equally andnobody should be treated badly. Over half of the Japanesechildren surveyed (56%) said that one of the most important
things to them and their families is that everybody should haveaccess to food that is good and affordable.
More than half of children (56%) said that one of the mostimportant things to them and their Which of these are the mostimportant for you and your family?,,children is that everybody
should have access to a quality education.
28

More law/order

30%

22%

21%

10%
4%
11%

9%
2%
15%

42%
17%
17%

46%

49%

46%

26%
6%
16%

20%
5%
11%

37%
24%
16%

53%
42%
43%
65%

43%
37%
42%
74%

62%
60%
56%
56%

What do you think are the main causes of violence in your country?
Domestic abuse/violence
Bullying
Social conflict

Who is your hero?
FamilyWhat does peace mean to you?
No warRespect and treat each other as equals
No violence

Which of these are the most important for you and your family?
Protection against crime and violence
Freedom from discrimination and persecution
Access to clean water and sanitation
A good education

29

Small Voices, Big Dreams 2013

A Global Survey of Children

respondents by age & genderMethodology
The Small Voices, Big Dreams survey was
undertaken by the ChildFund Allianceduring May – September 2013. In mostcountries, ChildFund staff conducted oneon-one interviews with children in theirlocal language. In some English-speaking
developed countries, children completed an
online survey.

Alldeveloping
countriesAlldeveloped
countries

Africa(developing
only)

Americas(developing
only)

Asia
(developing
only)

Male respondents

47%

47%

47%

44%

50%

48%

Female respondents

53%

53%

53%

56%

50%

52%

Children aged 10 years

27%

28%

25%

27%

36%

22%

Children aged 11 years

32%

30%

36%

30%

30%

28%

Children aged 12 years

41%

43%

39%

43%

34%

50%

Total responses

6,499

3,766

2,733

1,629

910

1,227

Developed countries

ASIa: developing countries only

Total responses		 As % of total

All non-English responses were translated byChildFund. While every effort has been madeto preserve the authenticity of the children’squotes presented in this report, some minor
editing may have occurred in translation.
The survey was conducted in 47 countries
with children aged 10 to 12. This included 36
developing nations in Africa, Asia and theAmericas as well as 11 developed countries.
A total of 6,499 children were surveyed – 3,766
children in developing countries and 2,733
children in developed nations.
Five of the six questions were open-ended,meaning the children were not given a list ofanswers to choose from. The sixth question
encouraged children to choose six of 16
possible responses.

Total responses		 As % of total

Australia

202

3%

Afghanistan

100

1%

Canada406

6%

Cambodia

110

1%France

264

4%

India

212

2%

Germany

200

3%Indonesia

1001%

Ireland

100

1%

Laos

100

1%

Japan

138

2%

Mongolia

101

1%

Korea

101

1%

Nepal

100

1%

New Zealand

1,000

15%

Philippines

100

1%

Sweden103

1%

Sri Lanka

102

1%Taiwan101

1%Timor-Leste

102

1%

USA

118

2%

Vietnam100

1%

Total developed

2,733

42%

Total Asia

1,227

19%

AFRICa: developing countries only

AMERICAS: developing countries only

Total responses		 As % of total

All translated responses were provided to GfKRoper for analysis.

Rachna, 11, is from India, where half of all children
surveyed think poverty is the main cause of violence,
followed by social conflict (17%).

In my opinion the main reason for violence in India isthe caste system. It puts some people high on the social
ladder, while it makes the lives of others miserable bybranding them as low-caste people. This disparity often
results in violence and we can stop this by treating
everyone equally.

30

All
countries

Total responses		 As % of total

Benin

101

1%

Bolivia

102

1%

Burkina Faso

100

1%

Brazil100

1%Cape Verde

102

1%

Dominica & St Vincent

100

1%

Ethiopia

101

1%

Ecuador

107

1%

Ghana

102

1%

Guatemala100

1%Guinea103

1%

Honduras

100

1%

Kenya

100

1%

Mexico100

1%Liberia106

1%

Nicaragua

100

1%

Mali

100

1%

Paraguay

101

1%

Mozambique

101

1%

Total Americas

910

14%

Senegal100

1%Sierra Leone

102

1%

The Gambia

100

1%

Togo

107

1%

Uganda100

1%Zambia104

1%

Total Africa

1,629

25%
31

Small Voices, Big Dreams 2013www.childfundalliance.org
32