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GNRC members around the world are set to celebrate the Day of Prayer and Action for Children by the World's Religions on November 20. Countless different prayer events and actions are planned by people from many different faiths. Here is an example of one of the prayers, contributed by GNRC member Pastoral de Crianca in Brazil. A girl offers the prayer in Spanish in this video, and here is the English translation.

Lord of Life, may our children be as You desire!

We wish to transform our FAITH, into a dignified life for the children
of our community, city, our country and the world.

Lord, in many places the wealth’s idolatry is a threat to peace. Our
planet is more exploited and contaminated every day, and children are
the first to suffer when selfishness takes over people’s hearts. We must
change this story!

Help us fight against the causes of impoverishment, injustice and the
oppression of children and their families. Give us strength to stop the
exploitation of girls and boys, forced to work and get involved with
drugs, to sleep and awake with hunger and thirst, without a school in
which to study, or a safe place to play; dying from causes that could be prevented.

We desire the well-being of the child and respect to its rights. We will
protect the child throughout its life, which is sacred. The child should
be cared for from the mothers’ womb, be guaranteed its rights of
citizenship, receive vaccines and breast milk, proper food, clean water,
opportunities to play, speak, learn and develop fully.

Lord of Life, together with our children, in one voice, we give thanks
for all the goodness created. Our strength is in our FAITH who moves us
to build a world where the child can have life, and life in abundance!

Amen!

The young people of the GNRC have worked together to create an exciting video documenting their activities around the world since the GNRC Third Forum in Hiroshima in May 2008. Watch the 6-minute video here.

GNRC Europe held an interreligious workshop for young people from Belgium, Portugal and Spain in Zaragoza from 11 to 14 September. See photos and read about it here.

The GNRC Third Forum in Hiroshima, Japan was the venue for the worldwide launch of Learning to Live Together: An Intercultural and Interfaith Programme for Ethics Education developed with the endorsement of UNESCO and UNICEF. Read more...

A recent article published on the Oomoto Foundation website sums up the GNRC Third Forum and praises Learning to Live Together as an outstanding interfaith initiative. Read more here...

A compilation of articles from Hiroshima on the GNRC Third Forum and the children's issues it addressed is available at InterPress Service here, including quotations from many of the senior leaders and experts who attended.

HIROSHIMA, May 25 (IPS) -- If the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step...   Read about the contributions being made by 42 youth from around the world at the GNRC Third Forum here.

HIROSHIMA, May 25 (IPS) -- The world's religions are poised to step out of their comfort zones, says Ambassador Samuel Koo, Chair of the GNRC 3rd Forum Organizing Committee. Read the full interview here.


By Lynette Lee Corporal

HIROSHIMA, May 24 (IPS) - Renewing solidarity and respect for the fundamental rights of children, over 1,300 religious leaders of different faiths, grassroots workers, and decision makers from about 60 countries are gathered in this historic Japanese city to give the younger generation a much-needed 'voice'.

Ms. Helene Gosselin, Director of UNESCO's New York Office, has written an opinion piece for IPS, available in full here.