Churches fight for children's rights

In many countries in the world children still have to suffer: They are accused of witchcraft, forced to fight as child soldiers, have to live on the streets or are not allowed to visit a school. This situation is no longer acceptable, the UEM member churches in Africa, Asia and Germany as well as partner churches in Ghana and Argentina stated. That is why experts from four continents now met in Bielefeld-Bethel in Germany to experience how Germany and German churches deal with marginalized children, to exchange knowledge and to develop joint ideas to help these children.

Concrete projects and advocacy work

The workshop participants visited institutions for poor people and families in difficult social situations in Eastern Westphalia and the Ruhr Area. In the discussions they noticed that social phenomenons like street children, child prostitutes, child poverty or illiteracy exist all over the world. Other problems like the forced recruitment of child soldiers are more regional, but no less important to mention. Some churches already have started successful help e.g. for street children, others are still at the beginning or still looking for a fitting aid concept. The experts agreed that concrete projects like children's homes or caring for children in refugee camps are as important as lobbying for children's rights on a national and international level.

Film project and help for "child witches"

Concrete ideas also came up: The participants plan to set up a film project called „Voice of the street children“ to advocate worldwide for children's rights. On the Indonesian island of Sumatra several UEM member churches are going to set up programmes for street children. And in the Congolese capital Kinshasa a home for children accused of witchcraft is envisaged and collaboratively educational projects shall be supported to prepare children and youth for the future.

Theme for UEM General Assembly

The participants now want to go continue to work on this topic in a worldwide network. Next year the General Assembly of the UEM, meeting in Wuppertal/Germany, will have a focus on "child poverty and trafficking". Right now the African Regional Assembly is discussing about this topic.