Banging the Drum


Around the world, developing countries are suffering the negative effects of the global economic crisis and the Pacific Islands are no exception.

 
"UNICEF’s Banging the Drum campaign really reminds us of the ongoing effects of the global recession, which are hitting hard in the South Pacific. This is especially true for the younger generation and is leading to some serious health and education issues.

The best thing about the campaign is that it’s interactive; ‘Banging the Drum’ has created avenues where you can send your own messages to politicians about the importance of getting behind children’s rights in the South Pacific. Watch out for the drummers at local events and festivals this Summer as you can learn the art of Pacific Island drumming yourself to raise awareness!" - Jay Reeve, MTV VJ

 
High food and oil prices, declining exports and reduced remittances are all acting to reduce economic growth rates in Pacific Island countries and threaten the significant gains that have been made in development over the past decades.

Children are extremely vulnerable to the effects of economic decline and research coming out of the Pacific is already showing that job losses, cuts in social spending and a decline in remittances is leading to declining health and education standards of children. The increased poverty this creates is very difficult to reverse and will often continue through to the next generation.

However it does not have to be this way.

Throughout the Pacific, children and their families are working hard to find strategies to cope with the crisis. Pacific Island countries are known for their community or family based social support systems which have allowed communities to develop resilience to crisis. These efforts can be supported by ensuring that protecting the rights of children is put at the centre of all attempts to mitigate the effects of the crisis. Simply investing in children now through continued social sector spending and enhancing formal social protection through safety net measures can have lasting impacts.

What you can do

You can have an important role in making sure the voices of Pacific Island children are heard and their rights are protected. Here are some ways you can help:
  • Write a letter to your MP urging them to consider children's rights in the Pacific as they react to the global economic crisis. Click here to locate your local MP.
  • Bang the Drum for Child Rights in the Pacific. Create a clip of you banging the drum for children in the Pacific, say why you are doing it and then upload it to facebook.
  • Spread the word – use facebook, twitter, blogs to tell others about the urgent need to bang the drum!
  • Write an article for your school/university newspaper, letter to the editor.
Let's get together and celebrate the strength and resilience of children in the Pacific by banging the drum for their rights!