PM Transcripts

PRIME MINISTER PRESS STATEMENT NO. 350
23 October 1974
UNIVERSAL CHILDREN'S DAY
More than 110 nations join in observing Univeral
Children's Day on 23 October. It is 20 years since the day
was first proclaimed by the United Nations.
The special theme of this year's day is " lA Future for
Every Child". UNICEF and the International Union for Child
Welfare, the International Co-sponsors of the day, have chosen
this theme to emphasise the individual importance of every
child, even in a crowded world.
In the next 30 years, according to the best estimates,
the world's population of more than 3,500,000,000 will almost
double. Already the majority of the world's children are
deprived of many basic needs. Some 30% under the age of five
are seriously malnourished.
When problems of sheer global survival confront the
human race it is important to redouble our efforts on behalf
of the world's children. There are more children suffering
from extreme privation today than there were 20 years ago.
About 70% of UNICEF money goes to equip health centres,
schools, day-care arid community centres, directly benefiting
millions of infants and children. Nearly 30% goes to training
nurses, midwives, health and nutrition field workers, primary
school teachers and supervisors, child welfare and day-care
workers. In observing Universal Children's Day we should keep
in mind the well-being of all children, the enhancement of the
quality of their lives and the promotion of equality of
opportunity for both children and their parents. We in
Australia may hope to provide a model for the rest of the world
in the care of our own Children, but we must bear in mind our
responsibility to all children, wherever they may live. " A
Future for Every Child" means no less than a future for our
planet. CANBERRA. A. C. T.