More power to kids

HERE IS an opportunity to be a part of the `Global Movement for Children'. What is GMC? It is a `Force for change, calling for people throughout the world to take action and protect the rights of children'. A force that believes that more the merrier. And therefore calls upon all of us to play a role. What do you have to do? Just vote.

This time, there is no age bar to cast the vote. In fact the electorate here, is children beginning from the age of 11 years, though there is no bar on adults casting their votes. What do you vote for? On what three factors you think are most important for the children of your nation.

The prime mover of the programme UNICEF in India has partnered with Fourth R - a computer education institute for children. The role of the institute is to act as the via-media - wherein instructors reach schools directly and urge children and the staff to vote for the movement.

``We have prepared a kit that will be taken to the schools by the different franchisees of the Institute. This kit has information on the different aspects of the rights of children,'' according to Ms. Sharadha K., Manager, National Franchise Support of Fourth R. If you are wondering what a computer training institute has to do with a social cause like that, Sharadha will tell you that the core of Fourth R's philosophy is to sensitise children to the ethical and social structures surrounding them.

The Fourth R franchisees will fan out and cover all kinds of schools from Corporation, government and municipal schools to private schools. They have been active in Chennai for a week now. What happens is this: the team goes into the school, speaks to the students and registers their votes, which are later collated and re-directed to UNICEF. Students are asked to choose the three issues they feel are important to their country - of course, all relating to children.

Say yes to children is what the campaign is all about. Didn't we say that even if you are not a kid you could vote? Well, check out this site www.gmfc.org and say yes to `putting children first'!

By Ramya Kannan

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