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Statement by
Mr. Chairman, The delegation of Indonesia appreciates the UN Secretary-General for his report in which he rightly states that most of the goals to create “A world fit for children” will be achieved only through major intensification of action for disadvantaged children and families across the world. Indonesia fully shares this view. The ongoing progress to implement various children-related national policies is the result of better resource allocations and, most importantly, strong commitment on the part of political leaders. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has been exemplary in this regard. On various occasions, he has emphasized the critical role of human capital in the national development process. Integral to the development of such human capital are the necessary and effective investments in the fields of health, education, and protection of children. Mr. Chairman, The National Programme for Indonesian Children 2015, adopted in 2004, clearly reflects four major areas related to “A world fit for children as well as child-related goals that form part of the Millennium Development Framework. In its first year of implementation, progress has been particularly encouraging in the areas of providing quality education and protecting children from abuse, exploitation and violence. It is noteworthy too that the Indonesian Government, in close collaboration with UNICEF and UNESCO, has introduced the Creating Learning Communities for Children to promote effective learning processes, transparent school management and to encourage the active involvement of communities in these activities. The programme expanded from 79 schools in 2000 to 1,326 schools by 2004, reaching some 240,000 children. In addition, the Government also supported Education for All (EFA) initiatives to track school attendance and to strengthen mobile libraries. In the area of child protection, the implementation of a National Action Plan on Combating Trafficking in persons, especially women and children as well as on Eliminating Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, has resulted in an increasing number of policewomen to investigate cases of and to advocate against trafficking in women and children. The Plan serves to strengthen task force activity at district, provincial and national levels, revising or establishing national legislation on anti-pornography and trafficking in persons. It strengthens legal protection for victims of trafficking as well through Mutual Legal Assistance. Mr. Chairman, In addition to the progress in the areas already mentioned, the Indonesian Government is currently boosting efforts to ensure the health needs of Indonesian children are met in a timely fashion. There are health and nutrition programmes that focus on reducing maternal and newborn mortality rates. Others are dealing with micronutrient deficiency and child mainutrition as well as vaccine-preventable disease, with special attention being paid to the recent resurgence of polio and measles. Together with UNICEF and WHO the Indonesian Government has implemented a series of National Immunization Week Programmes, benefiting almost 24 million children across Indonesia. At the grass-root level, the Indonesian Government is currently revitalizing 15,000 village health posts (Posyandu) across nine provinces. This programme is focusing on training and the provision of supplies to monitor the growth of children and their ante-natal care. Mr. Chairman, Last July, during the commemoration of the National Children’s Day, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called attention to the alarming impact of drugs and pornography on children’s growth and their development process. In particular, he called on parents and schools and also communities to work hand in hand with concerned authorities to protect children from these malicious acts. For his part, President SBY is determined to ensure that perpetrators are brought swiftly to justice. To conclude Mr. Chairman, Indonesia has responded quickly to the needs of its children facing difficult situations. Following the severe impacts of the tsunami last December, the Indonesian Government responded to the growing concern about abandoned Acehnese children by prohibiting them leaving Aceh. The reason was not only to prevent them from being trafficked or other forms of exploitation but also to uphold the principle of the best interest of the Acehnese children which is to be with their family and native community. In the long run, the signing of a final agreement in Helsinki last August, which brought the 30 years of conflict in Aceh to an end, will ensure the full implementation of “A world fit for children” not only for Acehnese but also for all Indonesian children. I thank you.
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