Princess Madeleine of Sweden has stressed the importance of ending violence against children at a meeting with the United Nations.
The Princess attended the high-level “From Commitment to Action” event at the UN Headquarters in New York as part of her role as Vice Honorary Chairman of the World Childhood Foundation – which her mother, Queen Silvia, founded in the 1990s.
During her remarks, the royal spoke about her mother’s dream of founding the organisation: “When my mother founded the World Childhood Foundation 25 years ago, we knew far less about child abuse. But we chose to learn, speak out, and act. My mother dreamed of a world where organizations such as Childhood would no longer be needed – a world where children are truly safe. Unfortunately, that day has not yet come.”
International leaders, advocates, and experts gathered in the Big Apple to discuss ending violence against children. It also built on the progress of the First Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children held earlier this month in Colombia.
World Childhood Foundation / Pontus Höök
As one of the main speakers, Her Royal Highness spoke to those assembled about protecting and listening to children and the importance of working together.
“In this fast-moving digital age, risks to children evolve rapidly. Without listening to and learning from children’s experiences and their strategies, we cannot close the gaps that leave them exposed to harm,” she said.
Madeleine later concluded: “I wish I could say Childhood’s mission is complete. Instead, I ask you to join us – and others – in turning commitment into real action.
“Let us move beyond hope towards concrete steps so that every child can grow up free from violence. We can only succeed if we act – together.
Dr Najat Maalla M’jid, the UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children, and Paula Guillet de Monthoux, the Secretary-General of the World Childhood Foundation, joined the royal at the event.
The Princess also shared her thoughts on the event on Instagram saying: “Yesterday was a significant and inspiring day for [the] World Childhood Foundation and me personally. I had the honour of speaking at the UN HQ, surrounded by incredible advocates and Childhood partners who have dedicated their lives to protecting children. There is now a global momentum that we must harness to end violence and abuse against children!”
View this post on Instagram
Princess Madeleine later attended a charity dinner in New York organised by Childhood USA where funds raised from the evening go toward projects to prevent sexual abuse of children.
Be the first to comment on "Princess Madeleine stresses importance of ending violence against children at UN meeting"