PANEL PRESENTATION AND OUTDOOR EVENT FOCUSING ON CHILDREN AND SMALL ARMS TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY, 11 JULY

                                                            Note No. 5675

                                                            10 July 2001

Note to Correspondents

PANEL PRESENTATION AND OUTDOOR EVENT FOCUSING ON CHILDREN AND SMALL ARMS

TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY, 11 JULY

On Wednesday 11 July, a number of distinguished small arms experts and activists will join with children from war-torn countries to offer their perspectives on what can be done to protect children from the effects of the illicit trade in small arms.  Organizing by and for children, as well as active projects in peace education will also be showcased as part of the days' activities.  Participants range from Lt. Gen. Romeo Dallaire, former Commander of the United Nations Observer Missions in Uganda and Rwanda, to young people from Sierra Leone, Colombia and the United States, to music artist Mos Def.

The thematic day is organized by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA), the Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children and the Hague Appeal for Peace.

Panel Presentation

The panel will feature a discussion on the humanitarian problems caused for children by the proliferation and unlawful use of small arms, and a presentation about a new programme for peace and disarmament education for children.

The panel will take place from 1:15-2:30 p.m. in Conference Room 2 at United Nations Headquarters.

Panel participants include:  Rachel Stohl, Senior Analyst, Center for Defense Information and author of a new study on the impact of small arms on children; Lieke van de Wiel, Project Officer, UNICEF; Juan Elias Uribe, Youth Activist, Children's Movement for Peace (Colombia); and Cora Weiss, President, Hague Appeal for Peace.  Lt. Gen. Romeo Dallaire, former Commander of the United Nations Observer Missions in Uganda and Rwanda will chair the panel.

Festival:  "Children:  Victims of Guns, Messengers of Peace"

The festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the terrace at the United Nations Visitors Entrance on East 46th Street and 1st Avenue, and is open to the public.

                                    - 2 -       Press Release Note No. 5675

                                                10 July 2001

Festival participants include among others, music artist, Mos Def; author Naomi Wolf, soprano Alison Buchanan, youth activists from Sierra Leone and Colombia as well as young performers and speakers from organizations such as Seeds for Peace and Kids Meeting Kids. 

Panel and festival participants will be available for interview immediately after the events.

For further information please contact:

Panel Event:  Lieke van de Wiel, UNICEF, 212-326-7658. 

Festival Event:  David Jackman at 212-682-2745 or Cora Weiss

at 212-697 8945.

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