10502 NYC AL MSG FOR RWANDA CHILDREN AND EQUITY SUMMIT

Transcript

00:00 Distinguished guests, girls and boys, thank you for inviting me to be a part of the 7th

00:07 Rwandan Children's Summit.

00:09 I'm very sorry I cannot be with you in person, but I am with you in spirit.

00:14 I'm especially pleased to be part of such an innovative gathering, one that is not talking

00:19 about children, but rather talking with children, and more importantly, listening to you.

00:25 I wish I could hear you directly, but I do look forward to a report on what you say.

00:31 Rarely have I heard of such an inclusive process in the planning of a national development

00:36 document.

00:37 Following child-driven, countrywide consultations, you have over 500 democratically elected children's

00:44 representatives sitting in the Rwandan National Parliament, contributing ideas, debating recommendations,

00:52 and shaping the future of your country.

00:54 That doesn't happen in many countries, if any.

00:57 And let me say how pleased we at UNICEF are that, in line with Rwanda's focus on equity,

01:02 reaching the most disadvantaged, today you are representing children from all backgrounds

01:07 and all circumstances.

01:10 Let me also congratulate President Kagame and his government on their bold vision, on

01:14 their nationwide participation in planning, and all of you for your part in transforming

01:19 Rwanda because you are.

01:23 Rwanda is on track to meet seven of the eight Millennium Development Goals.

01:28 Your progress in reducing poverty, enrolling children in school, and reducing child and

01:33 maternal mortality makes you an example far beyond your borders.

01:38 Your commitment to innovative methods to reach every citizen, such as one cow per poor family,

01:44 rapid SMS texting for maternal health, and your national health insurance scheme, Mutuelle

01:50 de Santé, is saving lives and fostering hope.

01:54 UNICEF is proud to accompany Rwanda through this extraordinary transformation.

01:59 Our shared vision on equity is not only morally right and financially shrewd, but we know

02:05 that it is the fastest way to achieve results, and results are what Rwanda is achieving.

02:12 Let me wish you all the best for a productive conference.

02:15 I look forward to watching your discussions turn into development policies for Rwanda,

02:20 because with so many bright young people in the conversation, I know they will.

02:26 Keep speaking up, children.

02:27 The world is listening and learning from Rwanda.

02:31 Murakose Chanai.

02:33 [BLANK_AUDIO]