This week blog assignment requires me to search information
on a particular area of the world. The region I chose to focus on was Central
and Eastern Europe and the common wealth of Independent states. I wanted to
gain a deeper understanding of about the challenges that are faced in this area
and how they impact children.
When looking over the information on the website the first
thing that caught my attention was the fact that so many children are dying in
certain parts of this region at high rates. UNICEF and its partners are working
to ensure the safety of children in eastern Ukraine, including the recent
launch of a mine-risk education campaign to provide 500,000 children and their
families with lifesaving information about the risks posed by landmines and
explosives (UNICEF, 2011). UNICEF is
also providing psychosocial support to conflict-affected children through
schools and community protection centres, reaching more than 20,000 boys and
girls since the start of this year. UNICEF has provided safe drinking water to
over 550,000 conflict-affected people in Donetsk and Luhansk regions (UNICEF, 2011).
The conflict in eastern Ukraine, now in its second year, has
created a humanitarian crisis affecting more than 5 million people, including
1.7 million children (UNICEF, 2011). Nearly 1.3 million people have been internally
displaced from their homes and communities in Ukraine, while health and
education systems in affected areas remain under severe strain (UNICEF, 2011). This is very heartbreaking.
The next thing that caught my attention was the fact that
families in this region does not have access to clean water, sanitation, and
hygiene. Children from twelve countries attended a two day conference to get
world leaders to listen and understand their need for these necessities. These
basic necessities are a vital component to the healthy development of young
children. Despite progress, many children have been left behind in
the push to reach the Millennium Development Goals (UNICEF, 2011). These
children represent the poorest and most vulnerable populations, and must be a
priority in the post-2015 development agenda,” she said. “We emphasize the
importance of involving children and young people in establishing priorities
pertaining to water, sanitation, and hygiene. And, we stand committed to
be active partners in achieving these goals (UNICEF, 2011).
These basic needs are vital to the not only the future of
young children but the entire world. Clean water, sanitation and hygiene reduces
the risk of disease that can be devastating to children. It also increases the
chance of a good education and their chance of surviving. Without these basic
necessities children are at risk for an unhealthy development. Although I
thought it was a good idea to have children advocating for their rights, more
adults should be involved in these efforts, a child’s voice only goes so far, their
lack of training and knowledge limits their ability to be successful in their
efforts. As early childhood professionals it’s our duty to be the voice for
those who are not able to speak for themselves.
This research has taught me to take a closer look at myself
my work and how what I do will have a major impact on children. Ii have also
learned not to take anything for granted and understand that although we are
far from perfect there are others who are facing major crisis.
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