Reported by: Insha Zarine Sayeed and Kanhu Charan Gouda
Bhubaneswar: June 28: Today at Mayfair Convention in the capital city of the state, the Governor of Odisha, Dr. S. C. Jamir as the Chief Guest released the UNICEF’s annual flagship report ‘The State of the World’s Children 2016’ report which deals on paying attention on the issue of Equity having the focused on delivering, ‘A Fair Chance for Every Child.’
The report signifies that the poorest children are twice as likely to die before their fifth birthday and to be chronically malnourished than the richest. Significant progress has been made in the past decades in saving children’s lives, getting children in school and lifting people out of poverty. Inequity is neither inevitable nor insurmountable.
Ms. Yumi Bae, Chief of UNICEF Odisha delivered the welcome remarks stating, “We have a collective responsibility to accelerate the progress of the most disadvantaged, most vulnerable children. It requires identifying the most vulnerable and working together to tackle the multiple deprivations across sectors. We have a choice: Invest in these children now or allow our world to become still more unequal and divided.”
The keynote speaker, educationist, Professor Govinda, former Vice Chancellor, National University for Educational Planning and Administration spoke on the issue of Equity and Education at the release event, “Talking about Equitable Education, the focus should be on Principal of Fairness thus focusing on adolescence and youth. Another focus should be delved into the child labors and child workers which are acting as hindrances in education of children. Also conflicts of all kinds affect children in educational prospects, one being the coming up of different kind of schools for different kind of children. A single school should be the attention of all where all kind of children can seek education then that would be ‘A Fair Start’.”
Sixteen year old, Soundarya Pradhan, a visually challenged chess champion from Nuapada spoke of his journey and achievements despite facing many adversities.
At the end, The Governor delivered saying, “The report signifies global affirmation that the welfare of children is at the heart of all our strivings to build a better world for our children. UNICEF flagship publications are prepared with great authenticity. UNICEF’s report on the state of the World’s Children presents us the challenges facing children in this fast-changing world. We need to intensify our efforts to make children happy and enjoy their rights. It urges nations to put the needs and the rights of children at the very centre of their development strategies and accelerate the pace of progress in reaching out to every child particularly the millions of disadvantaged and vulnerable children. “He added saying, “We are very happy today to listen to Shri Soundarya, who shared with us his experience, strong determination to succeed against all odds and his dream in life. Of course providing a fair chance in life just doesn’t benefit children. It allows the whole society to profit from their skills, talents and potential and boost social and economic capital.”
He concluded the event saying, “The release of the report in India focuses on ‘Equity in Education’. India places highest priority on welfare of children. It commits to non-discriminatory education that recognizes the importance of gender equality for sustainable development.”
The event ended with the digital release of the “State World Children 2016” report by the Governor of Odisha. United Nations International Children’s’ Emergency Fund (UNICEF) promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything. Together it functions in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
