Imagine New York City full of Gridlock, endless horns blaring, countless road blockades, the constant sounds of police sirens…no the chaos is not the beginning of Armageddon, but the annual U.N. General Assembly gathering of world leaders.
Hot topics on the agenda included global warming, Iran, Iraq, the reduction of armed conflict, malaria, and many other issues which will effect the future of children, and all global citizens. The General Assemble also discussed heavily the ‘promotion and protection of the rights of children’, to which they looked closely at the follow-up to the Special Session on Children. UNICEF will hold the World Fit for Children Festival, in December 2007.
However one of the greatest topics on the agenda, was Burma/Myanmar, as the events at the UN unfolded, unrest in the country continued to escalate. As on September 24, 2007, 20,000 Buddhist monks and nuns led and additional 30,000 lay people in a protest march . The following day 2,000 monks and supporters defied threats from Burma's military regime, as they marched to Rangoon, while in New York, President George Bush address before the U.N. General Assembly. President Bush announced that the United States would now impose tighter sanctions on the military regime. Burma, has been under the tight grasp of a military regime since 1962, and had engaged in numerous children's rights issues, including child trafficking and child labor.
As the situation in Burma continues, all eyes remain transfixed on the small country, who's children have continually endured unspeakable hardships and endless human rights violations. Please look for my post tomorrow, for more information on the situation in Burma.
As in Burma, the true outcome and results of the 62nd session of the General Assembly, is still unknown! Only time will tell if our leaders will leave us with more hope than false promises.
