Bhutan

“Voices of Children on Poverty” UN Day 24 October 2009

Final draft closing remarks UN Resident Coordinator
Ms Claire Van der Vaeren
At the launch of the book “Voices of Children on Poverty”
UN Day
24 October 2009

Hon’ble Foreign Minister Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering,
Dashos, Officials of the Royal Government; Representatives from the donor community, UN colleagues, Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and gentlemen

It has indeed been an honor for me and for the UN family in Bhutan to celebrate the UN Day with your presence. And it is a great pleasure to see so many of you here at the launch of the book Voices of Children on Poverty. The book, a joint publication of the Ministry of Education and the UN system in Bhutan, commemorates the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and the 20th Anniversary of the Convention of the Rights of the Child. As you would have noticed from the book, the views expressed by the children speak for themselves. The children’s entries reveal a strong awareness of the poverty issue in the country, and often the root causes and solutions suggested by the children are strikingly clear and mature. Right throughout the children’s work, the underlying importance of happiness is apparent, and how poverty is still hindering people from leading happy lives; 23.2 percent of the population, according to the national poverty line.

As we know, despite the international community’s efforts to commit to the eradication of poverty and the achievement of the eight UN Millennium Development Goals before the year 2015, the progress in different parts of the world has been uneven. Although some regions have experienced reduced levels of poverty, it has increased in many countries, affecting women and children in particular.

Bhutan is on track on almost all of the MDGs, and yet nearly one fourth of the population is still living in poverty; and 5.9 percent of the population in Bhutan is suffering from food poverty. Another issue that requires continued attention is unemployment, particularly youth unemployment. The youth unemployment rate has increased from 2.6 percent in 1998 to 13 percent in 2009, and female unemployment is twice as high as compared to male. We need to look into the causes of this rising unemployment and address it together.

Children in particular are the most vulnerable to the effects of poverty. Extreme poverty prevents children from seeing their rights realized. But, they are also the ones who, with our united efforts, can bring about change. In line with the theme of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: “Children and Families Speak Out Against Poverty”, we must allow our children the opportunity to voice their concerns and get them heard. By launching this book, we get a unique chance to listen and to understand the children’s perspectives.

We would like to thank all children who have contributed to the book with their wise and colorful statements, and the Ministry of Education, principals and teachers all over the country for coordinating this effort in a short period of time.

The UN System will continue to work together with the Royal Government of Bhutan to ensure that the aspirations of our children are fulfilled and attainment of all the MDGs before the end of 2015 becomes a reality. Thank you once again for your participation in this launch ceremony and for giving us the opportunity to celebrate the 64th anniversary of the United Nations with you today.

THANK YOU AND TASHI DELEK!