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Edition 2 / Edition no. 2

Trevor, MB and Elvira, ON

The largest ministerial meeting held in Canada was kicked off on Sunday, Sept. 11th. The opening ceremonies were attended by Lloyd Axworth, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maria Minna, Minister of International Cooperation, as well as by 75 youth from all over the world. Representatives from 143 countries, including 53 ministers will be attending the conference, which officially starts on Wednesday. Ceremonies began with Nancy Wildgoose, Secretary-General of the conference. Wildgoose gave several shocking facts, stating that in the past 10 years, 2 million children have died as a result of war, 5 million have been injured and 10 million have been affected. There are currently 300,000 youth soldiers under the age of 18 serving in armies around the world, most serving against their will. Minister Minna was introduced and gave a speech on various programs which are currently in place in Canada and around the world. "It’s time to address these issues, find out solutions and solve them together." Minister Minna also mentioned that she has raised the budget for education, health and nutrition because "You (the youth) are part of the future." Minister Axworthy took the floor and gave several statements. He emphasized that this conference is a "tipping agent" towards helping war-affected children. Referring to the meeting in Ghana with 50 African states, Axworthy said that there is a difference being made in the situation of war-affected children. Minister Minna spoked briefly on Canada’s role in the landmine crisis. Canada currently has several programs to remove landmines in various countries. On average, 500 people fall victim to landmines every week. "The programs run by the Canadian government are saving lives every day." said Minna.

 

Raphael, QC

C’est ce que pensaient la trentaine de protestants de l’organisation humanitaire pour aider la situation au Soudan. Ils étaient réunis Lundi dernier devant le Fort Garry Hotel où la conférence internationale sur les enfants touchés par la guerre lieu avait. Une des raisons importantes pour leur manifestation pacifique est la présence du ministre des affaires étrangères du Soudan Mustafa Osman Ismail. Il est responsable de la mort de plus de 2 millions de gens dans le sud du Soudan et également de l’emprisonnement des 6000 jeunes Ugandais qui sont entrainés à combattre le gouvernement Ugandais en finançant un groupe de résistance appellé «The Lord Resistance Army» m’a confié Catherine Hakim une des membres de l’organisation humanitaire pour aider la situation au Soudan. Également présent à la manifestation était le pasteur de la communauté du Soudan M. James Okot qui m’a confié que le gouvernement du Soudan étais aussi responsable de bombardement d’écoles, d’églises et d’hôpitaux. Dans un relève de presse au Soudan, il a confié à un journal, «Nous avons touchés nos cibles», ce qui, d’après eux, démontre que le gouvernement du Soudan a frappé ces bâtiments intentionnellement.

Diana, MB

To get people interested is the number one goal of media. Whether it is radio, TV, or newspaper, they all want people to be interested in their stories. But how do they do that? This whole week, we have experienced the role of media. We were professionally trained to become journalists. Not only that, but we were also exposed to the media in some way or another. We have learned that after interviewing a person, the journalist chooses an angle, and bases their story on that angle. That may or may not be a positive thing because the angle they choose may or may not be the same as yours. We have also learned through our mistakes, and observations, how to deal with the media. The most important thing that we have learned to do is to always prepare ourselves and to think of what we are going to say before we say it. That is because anything we say could be interpreted in different ways. Therefore, we must think of how people may interpret what we are saying in order for it to not backfire towards us. We should also always try to state facts rather than opinions, because the media may look at the opinions from different angles, and misinterpret them. Also, if we list opinions, not all of them may be voiced. Finally, always cool down before an interview. So if you are not ready for one, don’t do it. The reason for that is if you are under stress, then you might say things that you may regret afterwards. The above are only some ways to deal with media, but of course they are not the only ways. You can always avoid them, and not have to deal with them

Trevor, MB and Elvira, ON

Canadian and International youth delegates gave a press conference on Monday answering questions on the meetings that have been taking place since Sunday. Attending were Hebo, Hannady, Secret, and Faten. "We are asking other countries to rectify the optional protocol to the convention for the rights of children that forbids the use of children under the age of eighteen as soldiers," said Hannady, summarizing one of the recommendations made at the meetings. "We are working on an International Organization that will allow youth to say, to be heard. We already have the support of Minister Minna," reported Hebo, explaining one of the many ideas that will be put into place as a result of this conference. Secret stated that action will follow the conference, "We are ready to move from words to action."

Myles, NWT Ashley, MB & Rose, QC

At a press briefing on Monday afternoon, five delegates emitted an aura of thoughtfulness as if they meant business while talking to the media. Even though they asked the media to slow down their speech, the youth never lost their focus of their initial intent. Media asked the delegates their opinions on how Canada is helping countries affected by war. Riyad, one of the five youth delegates at the press conference, said Canada is doing a great deal for countries that are torn up by war. He feels that Canada is playing a big part in peacekeeping. Ana, also one of the delegates at the conference, feels that Canada can help stop wars by increasing its peacekeeping role. Bismarck also feels that Canada is a major influence on a lot of countries, because of the multicultural identity of Canada. If all the suggestions and ideas the young Canadians and the international youth brought up were put into action toward helping other war torn countries, our world would be much better. The intelligence that these people have is astounding. They are thinking about solutions that can be put into effect to help their fellow human beings. They are dedicated and decent people. The ostentatious conference room at the Fort Garry Hotel is where the media got its first glance at these dedicated young people trying to make a difference in the lives of war affected children and their families. If there are more caring people in this world, like these young people, then we can overcome the problem of war.

Destiny, MB Jen, MB and Grace, MB

The first International Conference on War-Affected Children is in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada from Sept. 11-17, 2000. We set out on the streets of Winnipeg to find out more about what people really know about the conference and war affected children. Amazingly, a lot of people that we asked about the conference were totally misinformed about the issue, and some didn’t even know there was a conference going on. That’s why one of the first steps to solving world problems is communicating with each other, and making sure that we’re all properly informed about the issue.

Awareness makes all the difference of helping and not helping. If more people really knew what was going on in the world, more would fight to help the children and their families who are currently living in war-affected countries. However, not all people were misinformed. One man who immigrated from Burkina Faso in Africa to Canada was very informed about the issue. "Using children to work is cheaper for companies,’ he said. We can only hope that one day everyone in the world will be as informed, if not more so, about the world around them. It would be a great first step, hopefully with many bigger steps to follow.

"…we believe that if more people really knew what was going on in the world, more would fight to help the children and their families who are currently living in war-affected countries."

Hope and Jenna

Hope was a participant in the National Youth Forum on war-affected children in Gimli MB, Sept. 6 &endash; 9. She is now part of the youth media team at the International Conference on War-Affected Children, and shared her story with us.

I was born in Sudan and lived there until the war took over my country. It all started one day when I was nine years old and the rebels bombed my village. There was mass confusion and my people ran in all directions. I managed to make it out in time, but I was separated from my family. I searched everywhere but they were nowhere to be found. I joined a group of people from the village who were fleeing. We walked seven days before we reached a refugee camp. There, I was taken for training by the military to become a child soldier. For five months I was trained. I started each morning at 5:00 a.m. with over two hundred other children. I led them in daily exercises. It was horrible Finally, I escaped the camp walking at night by myself until I met up with a group of hunters. They saved my life. I told them of the danger I was in and that I was being followed. They took me to their small village where new problems arrived. Two military commanders fought over me to be their wife. I was twelve years old. The men said they would kill me if one of them didn’t choose to back down. Once again, I fled at night through the bush. Soon after, they realized I was missing from my room and searched for me in the forest. I heard them coming so I climbed a tree. Thankfully, they never found me. After the men left, I ran in the opposite direction where I found a town. I explained my situation to the chief in the town. He understood my problem and took me into the community. I was so fortunate for this - I feel God was watching me. In this town, I went to school for the first time. For one year there was peace before war took over my life again. All this time, I had never communicated with my parents. Everyone ran from the town until we came to another refugee camp. After a couple months I met a German nun who took me in. She changed my life completely and helped me remember the people back home. She helped me get to Canada. When I first came here, I spoke eight languages, but not English. It was so difficult living on my own without the help of anyone. It has been one year since I moved to Canada, and I am now eighteen. To this day, I have no idea where my parents are, it has been ten years since I have seen them. Yet to this day, I fight for peace in my country and will hopefully one day meet up with them again. I miss them so much. If any organization could help me find my family it would be so great, because I know they are still alive somewhere. I ask that United Nations help me find my parents. I feel like an orphan but I know I still have my parents in Sudan. Thank you for reading my story and giving me a voice.

If you can help Hope contact her parents, please contact tgmag@tgmag.ca.

"To this day, I have no idea where my parents are. It has been ten years since I have seen them….If any organization could help me find my family it would be so great, because I know they are still alive somewhere. "

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rose, QC

Winnipeg, Manitoba - - Tuesday afternoon ... chants, shouts, banners ... just a few of the sights that covered the front steps of the Fort Garry Hotel. Canadian aboriginals fighting against the government, protesting a treaty that was signed two hundred years ago stating that natives cannot fish salmon or lobster. " Shame on you, Canada!" shouted one man. Many youth sat on a platform pulled by a truck. Signs floated around the air: "broken treaty, broken world", "red lobster", "red world", "smash the colonial state", "lead, follow or get of the way", "catch a fish, feed a child", "respect the inherent rights of the MI'KMAQS". There were red flags being waved around with a yellow sun in the center along with a drawing of an indian. A chief got up on the podium and called out to the Canadian government to let them fish or there would be a lot of trouble in the future, that Canada has to listen to them, Canada has to listen to its people. A woman with a traditional talking stick gathered around the chanters who beat their drums and chanted. A man with a flag walked up to the door of the hotel, and security followed him. Media covered him and supporters followed, many of them women and children with traditional drums and jewelry. "We are sick and tired of welfare, this is our land and respect our land." "We support the Burnt Church," another man shouted. "No justice no peace!" cried out a man several times. There was a beating drum and hollers and whistles ... "It will never be forgotten, our fish are our future, our children are our future..." Another man reached the border of the protests. "Your ministers inside are hiding inside your walls. Why don't you come outside and meet the people who made you rich!" Another woman shouted from the steps of the hotel, where the ministers were present. "We need to be heard! Who cares if they make fun of us!" The media and press were everywhere, none stopped doing reports and asking questions. A few police officers were standing near the outside edge of the protest. An old man wandered back and forth pushing a shopping cart partially filled with old soda cans and with many signs. Protestors started leaving to let the traffic flow. Many wondered and asked one another what would happen next. A woman stood up on the stairs and called out, saying that the next protest will be at the Forks at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Let's wait and see.

Diane, ON

 

Winnipeg, Canada - Four Youth Delegates from the Youth Meeting of the International Conference on War-Affected Children spoke at a press conference on Tuesday to express their opinions, their concerns, and to release a few of the recommendations which they have generated over the last few days. The delegates were the media spokespeople, which means they will be presenting to the media for the remainder of the International Conference. At the press conference, which was moderated by another youth delegate, Riyad, the delegates answered questions presented to them by reporters. The press conference was followed by a scrum and a quick photo session. The youth delegates seemed pleased with the conference. "I am pleased that I can finally express myself to the world," said Secret, a delegate from Liberia. The youth expressed their reasons for coming to the conference. Some were inspiring mission statements. "I bring the dreams of every war-affected child," said Faten. Others made blunt statements with sure purpose, such as Hannady who said, "I just don’t want any child to have to experience what I did."

Ryann, ON

In a small town on Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada, there is a school dedicated to helping children study in Port Loko, Sierra Leone. The Victoria Harbour Elementary School, whose motto is "A School That Cares," is the headquarters for a project that sends school supplies to a small Catholic school in Port Loko, Sierra Leone, a small country in west Africa. Schools are struggling in Sierra Leone, in part because of a civil war that is draining the country’s resources. Every child at the Harbour School is involved. Teacher/librarian Paul Delaney of Penetanguishene, Ontario, taught in Sierra Leone and brought the idea to help students back to Canada. Through a Port Loko teacher, the Harbour School community learned of the lack of pens, paper, and necessary school supplies. Students involved in the Harbour School’s Student Parliament decided to do something about it in 1992. So Operation School Supplies went into gear. The Harbour School first sent a box of supplies collected from the Harbour School kids as an admission to the school Valentine’s Day dance. The Parent Teacher Group paid the postage to send the box to Port Loko every year. Since then, the Harbour School has sent things like sports equipment, shoes, cameras, and tape recorders. Fundraising efforts earned enough money to pay for the building of a well, a holding tank and taps for clean water in Port Loko. The Harbour School also paid for a Sierra Leonean teacher’s tuition, and for medical supplies. To be able to do all of these things for Port Loko, the Victoria Harbour school holds an annual calendar fundraiser. The calendar features drawings of the students from Port Loko in Sierra Leone. The price of calendars is a minimum $5 donation. But improving the students’ lives did not stop war from touching the students of Sierra Leone. "Victoria Harbour Elementary School became aware of the atrocities that were being committed by members of the Revolutionary United Front (the RUF) under their leader, Foday Sankoh, as early as 1995 when it was learned that 22 of the children of the sister school had been abducted, and one boy burned alive," Paul Delaney, Project Coordinator writes in a Project Profile. Harbour School students are having a hard time communicating with people in Port Loko. The International Conference for War-Affected Children is a chance to change the situation in Sierra Leone, which is why the Port Loko project sent Dwayne Collins and me. We hope that in Port Loko things are resolved and the welfare of children is taken into serious consideration. In more recent years, word has spread and so have Harbour School’s efforts. The school now helps St. Martin’s Orphanage in Port Loko and sends money to Sierra Leone Bishop George Biguzzi, who uses portions of it to help child combatants rejoin society. In December 1999, the Harbour School’s Foreign Affairs Committee spoke at the United Nations in New York, United States, about the plight of Sierra Leone. The ambassador of Sierra Leone commented on how moved he was that children in Canada, unlike the rest of the world, had remembered his country through these horrible times. Other supporters for the project include the Honourable Hilary M. Weston, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Friends from Sierra Leone, Sister Eleanor Ewerts, Heritage Community Church in Collingwood, Ontario, and representatives from various organizations who visit the Harbour School. Start in your communities to help children around the world, because every little bit really does help.

GET INVOLVED! Information about the project can be obtained through the Victoria Harbour Elementary School website vic.scdsb.ca/site/sl_flag.html . Contact Ryann for questions or additional information through e-mail: elphur@hotmail.com