AMMAN, JORDAN (ANS) -- Children from 17 countries on Saturday called for the elimination of nuclear arsenals, which they described as "the most urgent security threat to our world and future."

Children from 17 nations at the closing ceremony of their congress in Amman (Petra photo).

In the closing ceremony Saturday of the 29th International Arab Children’s Congress (IACC) in Amman, Jordan, young people from across the region and around the world urged an end to nuclear proliferation as they signed the declaration of Global Zero.

An article by Hana Namrouqa in The Jordan Times (www.jordantimes.com )
says that Global Zero was launched in December last year, as an international initiative of over 100 world leaders, of which Her Majesty Queen Noor is a founding member.

Namrouqa says the declaration came in response to the growing threats of proliferation and nuclear terrorism and seeks for a phased, verified elimination of nuclear weapons.

The newspaper reports the young participants also urged world leaders to implement laws and legislation protecting children from all forms of violence, including war, and to hold aggressors accountable.

Following a week of interactive workshops, Arab and international participants came up with recommendations which were announced at the closing ceremony on Saturday, held under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Raya, deputizing for Queen Noor.

Namrouqa writes: "As the children exchanged views on the impact of violence, pollution and the global economic crisis as well as the negative effects of war on children’s rights and safety, participants also called for the utilization of clean and renewable energy.

"The youths also recommended planting trees, reducing the number of factories, establishing educational institutions away from polluted areas and utilizing space exploration for the research and development of medicines."

Organized by the King Hussein Foundation’s National Centre for Culture and Performing Arts (PAC), the event opened on July 5 under the theme, "The Right to Protection…Whose Responsibility?"

The newspaper reports that in their recommendations, the 140 participants, who are now considered IACC ambassadors, underscored the importance of providing free elementary and high school quality education for all children.

To increase enrolment in schools, the youths suggested launching a 'School Backpack' program whereby school supplies are distributed worldwide to help underprivileged students, the newspaper said.

In their list of suggestions, which is to be sent to the UN, UNICEF and the Arab League, they also called for setting up more centers for the protection of orphans and homeless children.

Namrouqa writes that Queen Noor initiated the congress following the 1980 Arab summit in Amman, with the goal of giving children between the ages of 14 and 16 the opportunity to express their needs and aspirations and to be heard by decision makers in the Arab world.

In 2004, the congress began to host participants from European and Asian countries, becoming an international event that helps bridge cultures, abolishes stereotypes and raises awareness on democratic principles and human rights, Namrouqa says.

Delegations from Australia, Austria, the Netherlands, Turkey and the US participated in this year’s event along with their Arab peers.

** Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent of ANS, is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London (United Kingdom) newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station. Michael has traveled to Albania and the former Yugoslavia, Holland, Germany and the former Czechoslovakia, Israel,and Canada. He has reported for ANS from Jordan, China, Russia, Jamaica, Mexico, and Nicaragua. Michael's volunteer involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- Michael Ireland Media Missionary (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International where you can donate online to support his stated mission of 'Truth Through Christian Journalism.'