'Zero tolerance' to abuse upholds children's rights

CEBU, Philippines - An official of the Australian Agency for International Development shared in a forum here yesterday that organizations can be morally and legally held responsible for failure to uphold the well-being of children in their programs.

Alexandra Robinson, acting counselor of AusAID, said that “zero tolerance” on child pornography, for example, like what her group is religiously observing, is tantamount to recognizing children’s interests and inclinations.

“Organizations must follow guiding principles that focus on less tolerance of child abuse, or they could be held liable for their failure to take reasonable and appropriate steps to prevent such,” she said.

However, since policies vary from country to country, she said that responding to children’s rights would largely depend on national guidelines. And that these should be in line with the best practices in child protection based on internationally accepted standards since more child sex offenders are reportedly traveling on hunt for victims.

As for David Swete Kelly, director of the Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program, he said that people should “break their comfort zones” and learn from those working in children advocacy.

He pointed out that children are entitled to all rights, as guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but emphasized that they also need special protection and care.

“We hope that this gathering will allow us to maintain and sustain our goals in protecting the rights of children… there are more steps along the way,” he said.

The forum, organized by PACAP, which also tackled child labor in sugarcane plantations and children of migration, was organized to effectively address children’s rights and determine courses of action for government and civil society organizations on how children’s rights advocates can work together.

Mainstreaming child’s rights in governance, right to artistic and cultural endeavors were also highlighted aside from the issues on children in contact with the law and those involved in armed conflicts.

Around 70 delegates from all over the country, who are mostly working for non-government organizations, were noted to have graced the first day of the forum set to culminate today. The National Economic Development Authority with DSWD represented the government.

Surigao City Mayor Alfonso Casurra, Teresa Fernandez, Lihok Filipina executive director; Jennelyn Clarito, Community and Family Services International Project officer; Imelda Villacin, Quidan Kaisahan executive director; Ernesto Anasarias, Balay Rehabilitation Center executive director; Estrella Mae Anoñuevo, Atikha Overseas Workers and Communities Initiatives executive director; and Mirjana Mira, Loboc Youth Ambassador Band Association president, graced yesterday’s forum.

The AusAID through the PCAP provides small grants to support community-initiated, economically sustainable, ecologically sound and gender-responsive development efforts.

It is an integral component of the Australian government’s bilateral assistance to the Philippines. The counterpart agency is the NEDA. AusAID-PACAP promises to deliver 20 million Australian dollars in the current phase (or from 2005 to 2010) to projects supporting poor communities.

It has financially supported more than 1,200 projects benefiting at least 600,000 poor people through partnerships with more than 500 civil society organizations, primarily NGOs and people’s organizations. — Marjun A. Baguio/MEEV   (FREEMAN NEWS)