World Vision Lebanon, in partnership with the Ministry of Social Affairs and the local NGO KAFA, has launched a week long advocacy campaign to address all forms of violence against children, in light of Universal Children's Day (20 November).

Over the next week, volunteers in all World Vision Lebanon ADPs (Approved Development Programmes) will conduct a massive visibility effort through the distribution of posters, flyers, stickers, pins and T-shirts as World Vision's contribution to the national 'Protecting Children from violence: Their right - our duty' advocacy campaign.

"As part of our mandate to speak on behalf of children who are suffering violence, we have decided to play an active role in the National Advocacy Campaign on Prevention of Child Abuse to influence leaders, policy makers, governments, civil society and families in preventing violence and abuse against children," said World Vision Lebanon National Director, Bruce Menser.

"We are convinced that every one of us has the responsibility to protect them and through this campaign we are raising awareness focused on the different settings of violence. We must all accept the paradigm shift that not longer accepts violence against children as a normal matter or to be culturally acceptable."

The World Vision promotional materials highlight all forms of violence against children, from sexual, physical and verbal abuse at home to unexploded ordnance and exploitation on the streets.

The items will be distributed from, as the Social Affairs Minister put it, 'friendly checkpoints' - promotions points throughout the country along roads and public spaces. Materials will also be sent to members of parliament, ministers, nongovernmental organisations, universities, schools, ministry development community centres and medical dispensaries.

"This is our first step to implement long-term advocacy initiatives with the aim of building public awareness about the problem of violence that affects hundreds thousands of Lebanese children", added Menser, "It is also a powerful launch to World Vision Lebanon's advocacy program. Not only is this event is our first major event, but it is on a topic that will most likely be one we pursue on an ongoing basis."

The national 'Protecting children from violence: their right-our duty 'advocacy campaign', kicked off with a press conference at the residence of the Minister of Social Affairs Nayla Mouawad last Friday morning, to coincide with the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse on 19 November, and Universal Children's Day on 20 November, the day the UN adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959. The Conventions on the Rights of the Child were adopted on 20 November 1989.