CWS News

CWS Indonesia, through the PURE (Protecting Urban Refugees through Empowerment) Project collaborating with the Ministry of Social Affairs, the National Commission for Child Protection, Child Fund, PT. Pos Indonesia, UNICEF, PT. Faber Castell, SOS Children's Villages Indonesia, ILO, World Vision and Kino Innovator, commemorated National Children's Day on July 22, 2010 with the theme "With a Cheerful Smile, I Face the World".

The event aimed to raise awareness of the society on the importance of protecting children's rights as enshrined in the law on Child Protection, UU No. 23/ 2002, to provide Indonesian children the opportunities to widely develop their capacity for better quality of life, as well as to mainstream the issues and best interest of children in development agenda.

The commemoration activities were conducted based on solid principals: non- discrimination, prioritizing the best interests on children, respecting the rights of children to live, developing and paying attention to their aspirations, opinions and point of view. One thousand children participated in the event, including formal and non-formal school children, physically-challenged children, street children, child workers, orphans, children with achievements and child refugees.

Young refugees under the assistance of CWS Indonesia feel content participating in the commemoration of National Children Day. The National Children Day is commemorated every July 23.
(CWS Indonesia)

Activities conducted in the event, which was officially opened and closed by Prof. Dr. Makmur Sanusi, the Director General of Social Service and Rehabilitation of Ministry of Social Affairs, included dialogue, performances by children and celebrities/ artists who shared the concern for children's rights.


Neda Bahrami, 10, a child refugee from Afghanistan who is currently studying at a National Primary School in Cisarua, West Java, said, "I am so happy to participate in this event. I can meet new friends, especially the artists who we can normally just see on television. They are all very kind and friendly. Through this event, I learned to appreciate each other even though we are from different backgrounds and cultures. I also learned to respect other people and parents and also to more diligently study for my better future. It is very interesting and has many benefits for me." [LR/VII/2010]