>Date: Sun, 19 Nov 2000 00:46:20 -0500 >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >INFORMED OR NOT, PANAMANIAN YOUTH THINK ABOUT SUMMIT > >Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit > >Prensa Latina - DIRECT FROM CUBA > >INFORMED OR NOT, PANAMANIAN YOUTH THINK ABOUT SUMMIT > >BY LISET SALGADO, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT > >PANAMA, Nov 17 (PL) The 10th Heads of State and Government Ibero-American >Summit was a matter of indifference to most Panamanian minors, but the >Summit's interruption of classes Thursday caused more than one of them to >express their opinion on this event. > >"I will use my day off to play and help at home," Rodrigo Lopez told Prensa >Latina. Rodrigo is a ten-year-old boy, who did not hesitate to talk while >his roguish smile spread from ear to ear. > >This is something rare in these places, where children evoid strangers. > >In spite of his loquacity, Rodrigo, as other children, could not explain why >Panamanian authorities decided to interrupt classes in Ciudad de Panama >until Monday, "a lot of people will come here, is that it?" he asked, almost >in a whisper. > >Political leaders participating in the Summit began arriving in Ciudad de >Panama today. This time, the event's slogan is "United for Childhood and >Adolescence, Base of Justice and Equality in the New Millennium." The >situation of Ibero-American children, the topic proposed last year by the >10th Summit's host Mireya Moscoso, will be discussed until Saturday by the >leaders, who have the challenge of agreeing upon positions in favor of >childhood. > >Analysts consider that publicity about the Summit has been poor, except for >some announcements on local television and placards placed along main >Panamanian streets. This event could pass unnoticed for most Panamanians. > >High school student Kida Espinosa said she was informed about the meeting, >and declared that presidents should take advantage of this meeting to defend >the rights of children and young people, whom -she said- they do not take >into account "because they are always concerned about other things." During >the short break, Kida will take walks and go to the movies with her friends, >who ignored the theme that will occupy Latin American, Spanish and >Portuguese presidents from Friday, in Ciudad de Panama. > >According to Kida and her friends, governments are like parents, "they are >always worried about us, but they never listen to us." A poll Thursday >published by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) revealed that the >level of misinformation among Latin American, Spanish and Portuguese >children and teenagers is alarming, and they consider themselves ignored by >government entities. > >"The Voice of Ibero-American Children and Teenagers" poll has a margin of 95 >percent confidence and represents the viewpoints of half the 9-18 year olds >(some 100 million) from this region. > >UNICEF's survey shows a predominant perception of negative news about local >happenings. Twenty-five percent of Latin American children knew about >natural disasters, while 39 percent of them were aware of African children's >hunger. > >Wars, infant maltreatment, delinquency and violence were other negative news >mentioned in the poll, and a difficulty talking about happy news, except >sports success or scientific achievements. > >Information access on sexual education, AIDS, and drug abuse prevention is >poor or nil, 66 percent said they knew little or nothing of their elemental >rights. > >The right to education was spontaneously mentioned for one of every two >children, while the right to be loved, to have a healthy environment, to >select what they like and to access information was not even mentioned. >AJS/CCS > >(c) 2000 Prensa Latina, NY Transfer News. All rights reserved. > > >================================================================= > NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems > Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us > 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 > http://www.blythe.org e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >================================================================= > >nytcamer-11.19.00-00:45:53-6623 > _______________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi _______________________________________________________ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for anti-imperialist news. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________________
