Foreign Policy Blogs

The Voice of the Child

Children so often suffer unjustly, just because they are children, for the world too often sees them as less worthy to have a voice. However all children have the right to be heard, and they have so much to say and contribute to the world. With age and power we so often forget the wisdom of a child.

Many children have spent all of their short lives in the turmoil of war, poverty, or being abused, and if we are not prepared to listen to their voices, then they will never be free. A child knows abuse, a child knows hunger, a child knows injustice and suffering, and we must allow them to speak and listen to what they say, for if we do we may actually learn something.

 

Children's Rights Photo Essay

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/oCZm7Dm5Rrk" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Links:

Plan – Children Speak Through Media
RIGHTS-SRI LANKA: Children Speak up to Shape Education Policy
Children in Haiti speak out on their rights
Girls speak out for their rights at UN-backed forum
YPress – A Children's News Network

 

Author

Cassandra Clifford

Cassandra Clifford is the Founder and Executive Director of Bridge to Freedom Foundation, which works to enhance and improve the services and opportunities available to survivors of modern slavery. She holds an M.A., International Relations from Dublin City University in Ireland, as well as a B.A., Marketing and A.S., Fashion Merchandise/Marketing from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island.

Cassandra has previously worked in both the corporate and charity sector for various industries and causes, including; Child Trafficking, Learning Disabilities, Publishing, Marketing, Public Relations and Fashion. Currently Cassandra is conducting independent research on the use of rape as a weapon of war, as well as America’s Pimp Culture and its Impact on Modern Slavery. In addition to her many purists Cassandra is also working to develop a series of children’s books.

Cassandra currently resides in the Washington, D.C. metro area, where she also writes for the Examiner, as the DC Human Rights Examiner, and serves as an active leadership member of DC Stop Modern Slavery.


Areas of Focus:
Children's Rights; Human Rights; Conflict