Kids appeal to Annan to end conflict
Kids appeal to Annan to end conflict
By a staff reporter
29 July 2006
DUBAI — Children of all nationalities in the UAE have appealed to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to intervene in the conflict in Lebanon.
The "Letters for Peace" postcard campaign is being facilitated by the Watani (My Nation) programme that seeks to foster community spirit among UAE residents. Coordinator General Ahmed Al Mansoori said the postcard plan was initiated in response to many requests from parents and children inquiring on how they can help stop the bloodshed in Lebanon.
"The UN is the only body with the moral and legitimate authority to intervene, so it was logical to give children the opportunity to make their feelings known direct to Annan. This endorses their ability to become good citizens."
"Watani is merely the instrument to enable them to do so, funding the production and the postage for the postcards. We all pray that their voices will be listened to," Al Mansoori said.
The pre-printed cards from "Children for Peace in Lebanon" urge Annan to take action in Lebanon, saying, "You are head of the UN, so I ask you to do everything you can to stop the killing in Lebanon. Not only kids are being killed in Lebanon, but faith in justice and hope in tomorrow."
The message continued with "Please help to stop the attacks on Lebanon. We do not understand why innocent children like myself, and their parents, are being killed for no reason. Killing does not make peace and does not make anyone safe."
The cards are available in various locations across Dubai and the UAE. Within the next few days, thousands will be sent to the UN Headquarters in New York.
"This is an appeal from children on behalf of children," said Al Mansoori. "Where adult voices seem to go unheard, we can only hope that children's voices will create a response to the plight of children in Lebanon, and make adults stop listening to each other discussing politics and start hearing the cries of dying children."
By a staff reporter
29 July 2006
DUBAI — Children of all nationalities in the UAE have appealed to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to intervene in the conflict in Lebanon.
The "Letters for Peace" postcard campaign is being facilitated by the Watani (My Nation) programme that seeks to foster community spirit among UAE residents. Coordinator General Ahmed Al Mansoori said the postcard plan was initiated in response to many requests from parents and children inquiring on how they can help stop the bloodshed in Lebanon.
"The UN is the only body with the moral and legitimate authority to intervene, so it was logical to give children the opportunity to make their feelings known direct to Annan. This endorses their ability to become good citizens."
"Watani is merely the instrument to enable them to do so, funding the production and the postage for the postcards. We all pray that their voices will be listened to," Al Mansoori said.
The pre-printed cards from "Children for Peace in Lebanon" urge Annan to take action in Lebanon, saying, "You are head of the UN, so I ask you to do everything you can to stop the killing in Lebanon. Not only kids are being killed in Lebanon, but faith in justice and hope in tomorrow."
The message continued with "Please help to stop the attacks on Lebanon. We do not understand why innocent children like myself, and their parents, are being killed for no reason. Killing does not make peace and does not make anyone safe."
The cards are available in various locations across Dubai and the UAE. Within the next few days, thousands will be sent to the UN Headquarters in New York.
"This is an appeal from children on behalf of children," said Al Mansoori. "Where adult voices seem to go unheard, we can only hope that children's voices will create a response to the plight of children in Lebanon, and make adults stop listening to each other discussing politics and start hearing the cries of dying children."
posted by Joseph Khoury at 3:34 PM
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