“USELESS TALKING DEMOCRACY TO A STARVING CHILD”

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 34, 2 April 1948, Page 5

“USELESS TALKING DEMOCRACY TO A STARVING CHILD”

Following is the text of a resolution unanimously adopted by the meeting of children from 26 nations in the Chamber of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, Lake Success, N.Y., February 28, 1948: “We are children and young people who have come from many countries all over the world to this meeting at the United Nations. We know that in the next few years we are going to be citizens of our countries and of the United Natians. We will have great responsibilities. “Before we try to teach the children of the world about brotherhood and the rights- of man, we must feed, clothe and care for them. It is useless to talk of democracy to a starving child. If, however, he is fed and given clothes and a home, these things will teach him something about brotherhood. “On the other hand, if we desert this generation in their misery, they will neither forget nor forgive. They will recall their sufferings and grow stunted in mind as well as in body—full of suspicion, hatred and bitterness. They will one day rule the world, and the chance for peace is small if they are not cared for. “We think the United Nations Appeal for Children is an unequalled opportunity for the people of the world to establish their willingness to co-operate for peace and to take an active part themselves and prove that they underwrite the United Nations. The United Nations is dependent not only upon the support of governments but in a greater sense also upon that of the individual citizens.

“In the Far East, February 29 is already beginning. We hope everybody in the world on February 29,

the extra day in 1948, will think about the needy children of the world, for this day is dedicated to the United Nations Appeal for Children, and it is a symbol for the slogan—Give one day for the world’s children. “By contributing to this Appeal, you are helping to spread friendship throughout the world and strengthening the bonds that hold the nations together! “The United Nations Appeal for Children is the first drive in history that has asked all the peoples of the world to give to a common cause. There are no boundaries and no' discrimination in this appeal. East and West, North and South alike, are helping the lost children of the war. “We ask everybody to remember that what may be just one day for you can mean the life of a child — a citizen of tomorrow. “It is a way to save some of the great talents in the world today, and to save the lives of leaders who may never be known unless we make sure that they have proper feeding now. ‘•‘The United Nations affects our peace and our future; because only well fed and healthy children will provide, the kind of society we all want. We urge everyone in the world to give one day for the United Nations Appeal for Children.”