the Rector Major invites all the Salesian communities of the world to strengthen their commitment to an education without corporal punishment
Next 20th November 2011, all over the world the International Day of the Child, anniversary of the adoption in 1989 of the United Nations Convention on the lefts of the child (CRC) will be celebrated.
Since 2008, this date, 20th November, is also the occasion to celebrate the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children and Youth in the world.
Last year I had invited all of you to join in this interreligious big initiative, promoted by the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) with the support of Arigatou International, affirming that only if the religious leaders and all of us will be capable of uniting our efforts, it will be possible to respond adequately to the dramatic and massive violations of the dignity and fundamental lefts of children in the world, especially of the poorest and most vulnerable ones.
This year, on 20th November , I want to launch an appeal for prayer and action: “Stop violence against children for a positive education without corporal punishment and cruel and degrading treatment.”
The relevance of this topic is fully evident in a world appearing twisted into a spiral of violence and oppression of those who are weaker and defenseless.
In this first year in which we are approaching the bicentenary of the birth of our Saint, it is necessary for us, the Salesian Family, retrace to the end Don Bosco’s footsteps, as father and teacher of the youth.
The chosen theme is very close to the heart of the Salesian mission and the Preventive System: Don Bosco was a tireless pioneer of it, anticipating many of the contents of the General Comment No. 8 on “The left of the child to protection from corporal punishment and other cruel or degrading forms of punishment”, adopted by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in 2006.
With the hope that the Salesian communities will be capable of promoting effective alliances together with other men and women of faith and be a driving force for a positive education without violence for all children and youth in the world “without discrimination of any kind, irrespective of the child's or his or her parent's or legal guardian's race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status” (art.2 CRC).
With love, in Don Bosco
GLOBAL NETWORK OF RELIGIONS FOR CHILDREN
http://www.gnrc.net
http://www.dayofprayerandaction.org/
