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| Sunday, 18 December 2005 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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December 18 : International Migrants Day
Do you know who migrants are? A migrant is one who moves from one region to another by chance, instinct or plan, or a worker who travels from one area to another in search of work. Why do people migrate? The answers could be, in search of social, economic and cultural opportunities or to escape wars, conflicts and abuse. It happens both within and across state borders. It is estimated that some 175 million people, half of them women, live and work outside their countries of origin. This comprise 159 international migrants, 16 million refugees fleeing their countries and 900,000 asylum seekers. Children also make up the numbers. Many migrants are exploited and abused. Some are injured and even killed while trying to enter countries illegally, while hundreds living in foreign lands have been arrested and deported without any opportunities to legally challenge decisions. Migrant-related issues will come under the spotlight today, the day which has been declared by the United Nations General Assembly as International Migrants Day. This is the date in 1990 when the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (Migrant Workers Convention) was adopted. The Convention, which came into effect on July 1, 2003, says all migrants, irrespective of their immigration status, should be able to enjoy certain fundamental rights including the right to be free from poverty, the right to equality before the law and in conditions of work, and the right to urgent medical care. It had been ratified by over 34 states as at 2000 while all states have been urged to do so. The Day focuses attention on the plight of millions of migrants around the world who are denied access to even their basic fundamental rights. Such abuses are overlooked and even accepted. The UN General Assembly has stressed the need to make further efforts to ensure respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all migrants. Migrant workers play an important role in the development process of their native as well as host countries. Their skills and labour support the economies of their host countries, while the money they send home drive the economies of their own countries. This is very much true in the case of countries like Sri Lanka, where the national economies are propped up by the thousands of people working abroad. But they are unrecognised, unappreciated and undervalued. The International Migrants Day honours their contributions to the economies and well-being of their host and home countries, and promotes respect for their basic human rights. Families of such migrant workers should also recognise the contributions they have made not only to their families, but to their country. The UN Secretary General and some countries launched the Global Commission on International Migration on December 9, 2003 in Geneva, which will work to provide a framework to formulate a logical, comprehensive and global response to the issue of international migration. ############ Free midday meals in less advantaged schools Children's needs and the education sector received special attention under the new budget presented by President Mahinda Rajapakse in Parliament recently. The Government has already set up a separate ministry for the development of children. The Education Ministry will implement the free midday meals programme for schoolchildren in the less advantaged schools, from January 2006. A sum of Rs. 1,500 per month will be deposited in the Senehasa savings account for every child who has lost his/her parents due to the tsunami or conflicts. These accounts are to be maintained either at Bank of Ceylon or People's Bank. Rs. 1,500 million is expected to be allocated for these programmes. The President stressed that the Government is firmly committed to provide free education because it believes that no country can take a long-term view for its development unless it provides education to all. Education will also be one of the main areas tackled under the national development strategy which is to be formulated within the first six months of next year. This development strategy will reflect short, medium and long-term considerations, and the President will invite the views of representatives from diverse sectors of society, so that these strategies needn't be changed frequently. Special attention will also be focused on the National Action Plan for Children. The Social Responsibility Levy will be increased from 0.25 per cent to one per cent, to generate Rs.1,000 million, which will be earmarked for this Action Plan. Cultural and religious values in society have also been highlighted in the budget as such value systems are necessary to promote a disciplined society. In this regard, the intensified educational and awareness programmes are expected to help fight against the use of harmful drugs and alcohol. Assistance will be extended to rehabilitate temples, kovils, mosques and churches that have been destroyed or rundown due to lack of funds. Development of sports and promotion of physical training will also be made an integral part of development programmes. Concessions will also be provided for homes for children, elderly and differently abled persons. ############## Young Lankan author from USA Would a loved and pampered pet dog enjoy life on the streets as a stray dog? This is what Rover, the pet dog of Mark, wanted to find out when he befriended a stray during his visits to the park with his human friend. As the two dogs are exactly alike, Rover decided to switch roles with the stray dog. So what happened to Rover? Did he enjoy his adventures as a stray? Read 'Rover the Dog' by Kalpa Semasinghe to find out. 'Rover the Dog' is the first publication of nine-year-old Kalpa, who is living in the USA with his mother, father and younger sister. The illustrations in the book have also been done by the young boy, while his father had been responsible for giving colour to these illustrations. 'Rover the Dog' is published by Wijesooriya Grantha Kendraya, Mulleriyawa and printed by Samayawardhana Printers, Colombo 10. The young author has dedicated his maiden book to his parents. Kalpa is a Grade 3 student at the Wakeham Elementary School in Garden Grove, and enjoys reading as a hobby, and is currently learning to play the piano. That's not all, he practises self-defence skills as well. Although only nine years old, Kalpa has already won a yellow belt from the Young Champions Self Defence Programme in Orange County. |
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