Voices of street children – in the UK election
Last week, we wrote to Douglas Alexander, Andrew Mitchell and Michael Moore - respectively the Secretary of State for International Development, and the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretaries of State. We wanted to ask them to commit to specialised funding for street child organisations. Street children are some of the most vulnerable and marginalised children in the world, and we want to ensure they get the targeted help they need to leave the streets. Each main party has issued lengthy statements about their commitment to international development (see http://www.voteglobal.org.uk/ to compare them), but none have committed to support street children in particular. We don’t believe it’s possible to achieve their commitments without a specialised focus on street children’s complex needs.
Here’s what we wrote to each – watch this space for their replies:
We are pleased that each of the main parties has reiterated a commitment to the Millennium Development Goals. However, we are concerned that as International Development policy stands, one of the most vulnerable and marginalised groups in the world, specifically street children, will miss out.
We contest that without the inclusion of street children as a distinct group of children in urgent need of specialist interventions and funding, then the commitment to the achievement of MDG’s are unrealistic.
Under the current situation, street children are intended to receive ‘trickle down’ aid under the broad headings of Orphans and Vulnerable Children or HIV-affected children. As acknowledged by the International Development Select Committee Report, published October 2009, more generalised indicators “may not ensure that street children receive the discrete and targeted assistance they require”.
We would be delighted if you would take this opportunity to outline a commitment to street children as a specific group in line with your specific funding pledges.
Last month, the first ever Street Child World Cup, sponsored by, was held in Durban, South Africa. Eight teams of street children from around the world came together and, as well as playing football for their country, drew together manifestos identifying changes they would wish to see for street children, and changes they themselves committed to make. We will separately send this manifesto in full to you.
Many of the children affirmed their own commitment to education. However, barriers to education for street children range from the cost of uniforms and fees, to social stigma, to dealing with addictions, to competing demands for time (including the need to work or beg on the streets in order to be able to eat).
The conference underlined the potential of street children to contribute positively to their countries, given effective opportunities. The children’s stories also reflected the complexities of their situations – confirming the need for specialist interventions to enable children to leave the streets.
We look forward to hearing from you – we have also asked your counterparts to respond with their policy outlines specifically with regard to street children. We will be publishing the responses on our website and through the Consortium for Street Children.
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One of the stars of the Street Child World Cup 2010 has had the unique opportunity to meet David Beckham as the LA Galaxy player..
Endorsements
- "I know from personal experience just what power football can have to inspire and change young people’s lives whatever their background or nationality. This is what the Street Child World Cup is all about and I give it my full support."
David Beckham, AC Milan and England Midfielder - "No child should have to live on the streets. I commend the Street Child World Cup for providing a platform for the rights of street children to be heard."
Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, Prime Minister - "The Street Child World Cup demonstrates the tremendous potential of every single child, and especially street children, who are so often treated as less than human. I am proud that the first ever Street Child World Cup will take place in South Africa – and I urge all governments to guarantee the rights of this most marginalised group of their citizens to lives in which their promise is fulfilled.Quot;
Archbishop Desmond Tutu - "When ever people come across me they laugh. It seems like my mouth is zipped because they talk for us. I wish they could give us a chance to talk for ourselves."
Mbali, 15, Durban - "When people see us by the streets, they say that we are the street boys. But when they see us playing soccer, they say that we are not the street boys. They say that we are people like them. They are people like us."
Andile, 15, Durban - "I experienced hardcore street life in my youth. I know what it’s like. I congratulate the Street Child World Cup project in it’s commitment to bring attention to the plight of Street Children through the power of football."
Manny Pacquiao, Filipino professional boxer, current WBO World welterweight champion - "The Street Child World Cup hosted by Umthombo is a wonderful opportunity to hear the forgotten voices of Street Children – often marginalised, this is their time to be heard and to shine on the world stage. From the football field to governments across the world, this is a chance to celebrate the talent that every child has."
Thandie Newton, star of Crash and 2012 - "The Street Child World Cup will use this game, which is loved all over the world, to help give kids a fairer deal. No child should have to be on the street."
Gary Lineker OBE, former Tottenham, Barcelona, and England Forward and BBC’s Match of the Day presenter - "I am delighted that the first Street Child World Cup will take place in South Africa where I know there is a huge passion for football. No child should have to live on the streets and and I fully endorse this campaign giving street children a voice to claim their rights."
Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United Manager - "Football and footballers aren’t always in the headlines for the right reasons but the Street Child World Cup harnesses the power of grassroots football to change vulnerable young peoples’ lives for the better across the world through the talent that they have. Good luck to all those taking part."
David Seaman, Former Arsenal and England Goalkeeper - "I’m delighted to endorse the Street Child World Cup. This is a fantastic ground-breaking event, aiming to win rights for street children, not only in Durban but across South Africa – and even the world! I’m sure that every team will be a winner!"
Sir Cliff Richard - "I’ve played football as a teenager with the world watching me. The Street Child World Cup is a brilliant project which will help hundreds of thousands of teenagers who have been forced to live on the streets by getting the world to listen to them and give them a fair chance."
Theo Walcott, Arsenal and England Forward - "No child should have to be on the streets. I am proud to support the Ukrainian team at the Street Child World Cup. Street children need the chance to show the world their potential."
Andriy Shevchenko, Dynamo Kyiv and Ukraine Captain - "It was a privilege to be invited to the launch of the Street Child World Cup at Downing Street. It gives children a voice through football, a platform to express their rights and celebrate their abilities – I’m proud to add my support."
Wilson Palacios, Tottenham and Honduras Midfielder - "Seeing young people enjoying the magic of football is what the game is all about and I feel honoured to be supporting the event for street children taking place in South Africa. The Street Child World Cup is a fantastic grassroots initiative giving a voice to street children through the positive power of football. It’s an example of football making headlines for the right reasons. Good luck to all those taking part!"
Eduardo, Arsenal and Croatia Forward - "I am proud that the first ever Street Child World Cup will be held in my country in 2010. Football has the power to unite people from all over the world and gives young people the discipline and focus to let their true talent shine. No child should have to sleep on the street. I am delighted that the Street Child World Cup will celebrate these children’s potential and call for their rights to be realised.Good luck to all the teams but especially the South African team Umthombo from Durban!"
Aaron Mokoena, Portsmouth Midfielder and South Africa’s Captain and most capped player - "The Football Association commends initiatives such as the Street Child World Championships which use the power of football to make a difference to people’s lives"
Lord David Triesman, F.A. Chairman - "The Street Child World Cup is a superb campaign, bringing to attention the issues faced by some of the most vulnerable children in the world"
Edith Bowman, BBC Radio 1 - "My career is testament to the global village that football has become. The Street Child World Cup is a groundbreaking campaign highlighting the essential rights that all children must be given. From Montevideo via Brighton and down to Durban – let’s spread the word!"
Gus Poyet, former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, Brighton and Hove Albion Manager - "South Africa 2012 will be watched by most of the World. The Street Child World Cup is the ultimate opportunity for us all to invest in the grassroots of football. Great campaign."
Sam Allardyce, Blackburn Rovers Manager - "The power of football in the community is undeniable and football is now a global community. I support the Street Child World Cup in raising awareness and support through football for the most vulnerable in our community: street children"
Owen Coyle, Bolton Wanderers Manager - "Throughout my career I have been an advocate of community development through football and the Street Child World Cup is an excellent example of uniting through football in support of young people across the World."
Alan Curbishley, Former Charlton and West Ham Manager
