Evening star., 1942-05-10
Pan-American Group
Adopts 4-Point Plan
For Child Welfare
Miss lenroot Outlines
To Closing Session
Steps Already Taken

Steps Already Taken
four-point program of inter-
American action for children of the
81 republics of this hemisphere was
agreed to yesterday by delegates to
the eighth Pan-American Child
Congress.
Adopted unanimously by the dele
gates, meeting in the Pan-American
Union, the program was embodied
In Declaration of Opportunities
for Children"
At a final signature session" the
chairman of each of the 81 dele
cations signed four large documents,
one each in English, Spanish, Portu-
guese and French, the four Ian
guages of the congress.
DR.. Manuel Prado President of
Peru, greeted the gathering at its
closing session, following the recep-
tion rendered him in the same
building by the governing board of
the Pan American Union.
The four point program was out
lined in an address by Miss Kath-
arine F. Lenroot, chief of the
United States Childrens Bureau
and president of the congress.
Practical Steps Taken.
The gathering, she said. had set
before the peoples of the 81 repub-
lies lofty aims" but had also rec
commended definite and practical
steps" toward attainment of those
objectives.
These steps, she said, were:
Il. Proposals for strengthening
the organization and financial sup
port Of the American International
Institute for the Protection of Child
hood, making it the permanent or
gan, responsible for carrying out
the recommendations of the child
congresses to the greatest possible
extent; bringing its work into closer
relationship with national child well
fare services, public and private ac-
tivities for children and the work
Of other inter-American agencies.
-. Declaration of the principle
that the countries Of wider techni-
cal experience in child welfare
should lend their aid through of
ficial and private organizations to
the countries which require assist
ance.
"3. Emphasis on the Importance
OF adequate preparation of techni-
cal personnel for all types of serv-
Ice for children.
4. Recognition Of the importance
Of intensifying our work for chill
dren in time OF war, especially for
those children living in regions
which might be subject to enemy
attack, and for Incorporating full
provision for the health, education
and welfare of children in all plans
for the world that is to be when
international peace, based upon the
principles of justice. freedom and
unity, becomes established"
Delegates Attend Tea.
Pointing to the spiritual strength
and unity" Of the congress, Miss
Lenroot said it had been notable be-
cauye deliberations had been under
the inspiration OF steadily devel-
oping concept of inter American
community of interest, a concept
which is taking form in official con-
ventions. agreements and resolutions
adopted by conferences of author
lied representatives of the American
States"
Speaking on behalf of the dele
gates from the other 20 republics,
DR.. Mario H. Bortagaray of Buenos
Aires, chairman of the Argentine
delegation, pointed to the "un-
precedented successful results" of
the congress.
Not only has this been a week Of
intense scientific effort" he said,
but, more than that, 1t has been a
week during which the 81 countries
of America, working together toward
q common purpose. have shown the
world that the words inter American
solidarity and cooperation have on
our lips a warmth of sincerity and
loyalty, and. above all, of devotion
to the sacred principle under which
we were all born-democracy-with
before us the wonderful example of
this great Nation at war, united
organized, brave and impregnable,
today defending that sacred prin-
ciple"
After the final session, delegates
attended tea in their honor given
by Assistant Secretary of State and
Mrs. A. A. Berle, jr., at their home.
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