Whereas the World Federation for Mental Health has designated The Effects of Trauma and Violence on Children and Adolescents as the primary focus of World Mental Health Day 2002, we therefore pledge to: Take action to increase public awareness and understanding of the physical, mental and emotional health needs of all children; thus encouraging the protection of children in all settings. Recognize that all children have the right to food, shelter, health care, education, and protection from abuse, neglect or exploitation. Take action to stop the recruitment and use of children as soldiers, and mobilize resources for disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration programs for former child soldiers. Promote the awareness of child rights among children and adults, and foster changes in attitudes and values that undermine respect for the rights of children, especially those that result in violence against children. Improve the quality of access of mental health care for children throughout the world by providing effective mental health services that are cultural, age and gender appropriate, and that meet local needs. Bring about the recognition and enforcement of the rights of children as established by the international Convention on the Rights of the Child including the rights to: freedom, security, reasonable living conditions, health care, education, self-fulfillment and dignity.
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