"We have a personal responsibility as the leaders of today's world to guide and protect tomorrow's future – the children. We owe them that much." – Mr. Chamindha Samantha Rajakaruna, Executive Director, Sarvodaya.

#EndChildPoverty
#EndChildViolence
#AllforChildren

View on Facebook

“Children are the focal point and epicenter of every development and it is up to each one of us to make an effort to secure the rights and wellbeing of children worldwide.” It is because of this spirit that the Global Network of Religions for Children together with End Child Poverty, the Sarvodaya Movement and the Colombo Municipal Council visited Meethotamulla residents on 10th December 2018 in Potuwilkumbura, Sri Lanka.

During the visit, GNRC joined the Interfaith Initiative to End Child Poverty in the opening of the End Child Poverty Resource and Education Centre in Meethotamulla. A total of eighty (80) participants including children, youth, parents and caregivers attended the event.

The context of poverty in the area coupled with the dumpsite has created harsh living conditions for the residents. The spread of diseases such as typhoid, diarrhea, dengue fever, among others are due to the improper waste management at the dumpsite. End Child Poverty aspires to use the education centre to elevate the community from poverty by upholding the educational level of children and youth in the slum area.

#EndChildPoverty

View on Facebook

Earlier today, representatives from the faith-inspired organisations including Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, Walpola Rahula Institute, Chinmaya Mission, Church of Ceylon Diocese of Colombo, Jamiah Naleemiah Institution for Islamic Higher Studies, Peace and Reconciliation Desk, Diocese of Colombo, Hindu Women’s Society, Sati Pasala; cordially met with representatives of the GNRC Secretariat and End Child Poverty to Launch the GNRC–Sri Lanka.

During the launch, participants led by Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, the President of Sarvodaya Suwasetha Sewa Society, lit the oil lamp to symbolic begin the GNRC Network in Sri Lanka.

One of the aims of GNRC–Sri Lanka is to build momentum to address actions towards the Panama Declaration on Ending Violence Against Children; and commit to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on a sustainable and inclusive society.

#EndChildViolence
#EndChildPoverty
#AllforChildren

View on Facebook

"To be an effective child rights advocate, the best approach is to be non-adversarial, non-violent and non-confrontational." – Dr. Charika Marasinghe, Child Rights Advocate, Sri Lanka and Member, Sarvodaya Suwasetha Sewa Society.

#EndChildViolence

View on Facebook

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a day of acknowledging the disable as both beneficiaries and agents of change. We need to work as a “team” to uphold the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities especially children and youth who are discovering their potential in life.

For long, the issue of disability has been treated as a curse or a bad omen. Let us change this narrative. We must educate and create awareness within the community on their challenges, clear the stigmatization accompanying their conditions and equally treat people with disability as the rest.

This year’s theme focuses on empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring they are included in the 2030 Agenda for equitable Sustainable Development. Let us “leave no one behind” by committing to the UN’s Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

At Arigatou International we believe the power in transformed religious and spiritual communities in offering moral teachings and model practices to prevent, heal, reduce and ultimately end violence against persons with disabilities. We, both children and adults, resolve to uphold the right and dignity of persons with disabilities.

Image Credit: @UnitedNations
#DisabilityIsNotInability
#IDPD

View on Facebook

Everything is possible if we; faith communities, international and grassroots organisations, governments, individuals, parents and caregivers, come together for the sake of the children and youth.

#AllforChildren

View on Facebook

#TuesdayMotivation

"If we wish to create a lasting peace we must begin with the children." – Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Indian Activist.

#AllforChildren

View on Facebook

View on Facebook

"Society pays a high price when 15% of its teenage girls become pregnant. For virtually all of them – and statistics say majority are from poor families - it means an end to their education, closing the door on a route out of poverty." – Thomson Reuters Foundation News. Today we ask you, what is your role in ending early child pregnancy which is a type of violence against children?

Read more on:– Teenage Pregnancy in Kenya: A Crisis of Health, Education and Opportunity.

#EndChildViolence
#AllforChildren

View on Facebook

"Let us work to create a world where children are free from violence. We can make a difference. Our challenge is to end the silence, to stop violence against children." – Ms. Rebeca Rios Kohn, Director, Prayer and Action for Children

#UniversalChildrensDay
#DayofPrayerandActionforChildren

View on Facebook