The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted by the General Assembly at the end of 1989 and ratified in September 1990. It is binding in law for all member states of the UN and defines children as individuals with inalienable rights of no less importance than those of adults. Further, it embodies the principle that the lives and normal development of children should have first call on society s concerns and capacities. When we reflect upon the extent to which children in Jersey, particularly those in the urban areas are denied such a basic requirement of childhood as a safe and healthy environment in which to live and play because of our over-indulgence in the car, we have to consider the possibility that as a community we are failing our children. People who believe that we defer to the car too much and that we should be redirecting some of our resources towards improving the lot of the pedestrian should write to their states members and tell them so, for if only one extra pedestrian crossing is achieved and, who knows, one life saved, it will have been worth the effort.
Streets is one person s letter to the States.
I ve been thinking, there must have come a day when we gave up our ancient rights of way, an accident, perhaps, the first bone bust, and all walking stopped in the sunlit dust. If a convicted felon could get onto one of these paths, tradition has it that no one was allowed to apprehend them. Just look both ways and walk. And Theseus is dead. Your new freedom my captivity.