At the present time, more than 20 civil conflicts are being waged. Mr. Chairman, in our efforts, we must not forget the plight of street children. An estimated 100 million children work or live on the streets of the developed and developing worlds. These children are frequently the innocent victims of national economic and political collapse or transition. Stigmatized by cultural values and religious beliefs, children with disabilities are often hidden in back rooms or are permanently placed in government institutions, displaced from communities and society.
Projects range considerably in size and complexity.
We agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Otunnu in that non-governmental and other civil society organizations have an indispensable role in shaping the agenda for children. Mr. Chairman, we must ban together to say that there are some things that we cannot and will not tolerate. We will not tolerate children in slavery or bondage. We will not tolerate children being forcibly recruited to serve in armed conflict. We will not tolerate young children risking their health and breaking their bodies in hazardous and dangerous working conditions.