Poso children advocate peace
Jakarta Post, July 21, 2006

POSO, Central Sulawesi: Some 350 elementary schoolchildren from 12 districts in conflict-torn Poso declared seven points for a peaceful Poso on Thursday.
The initiatives, which the children asked the government to implement, were made as part of the Poso Children's Expression Week 2006 from Thursday until this Saturday and organized by the Network of Observers for Children Protection in Poso.
They included calls to protect children's rights as stipulated in the 2002 Law on Children's Protection, for the elimination of violence against children, to provide free education, fight corruption and to hasten the development of the city.
Network coordinator Darwis Waru told The Jakarta Post the event before National Children's Day on July 23, served to increase communication between communities in Poso, the government, local councillors and parents.
"Through this event, Poso children asked the government not to only deal with Poso's problems by using a security approach ... Poso children suffer because of the conflict," Darwis said. -- JP