Director-General's remarks at the Children's Walk Ceremony

United Nations Women’s Guild Children’s Walk ceremony
Tuesday, 13 May 2025 at 10.00 a.m.
Room XX, Building E, Palais des Nations

Madame la Présidente du Cercle féminin des Nations Unies, [Mme Ajkuna Thanati] 
Chères Membres du Cercle féminin des Nations Unies, 
Chers enseignants, 
Chers enfants,

Je vous souhaite à toutes et à tous, la bienvenue au Palais des Nations. Je suis très heureuse de vous recevoir pour cette 22ème cérémonie de la Marche des enfants. Je tiens à remercier chaleureusement le Cercle Féminin des Nations Unies pour l’organisation de cette nouvelle édition.

Depuis plus de vingt ans maintenant, les plus jeunes d’entre nous se mobilisent pour venir en aide à d’autres enfants à travers cette marche et cette collecte de fonds. Grace à ces actes concrets de solidarité, de nombreux enfants à travers le monde peuvent continuer leurs études grâce aux bourses d’études et au matériel éducatif distribué.

Je salue cet esprit de partage et de solidarité de la jeune génération de la Genève internationale. Merci à vous, les enfants, pour votre participation active dans cette initiative. Merci eux enseignants, qui accompagnent et inspirent au quotidien les futures générations. Votre engagement est déterminant pour préparer un avenir plus juste et plus solidaire. Merci à eux également.

Dear children,

Many children like you cannot go to school. Today, there are 1.8 billion young people in our world today, and 250 million of them are out of school. There are a lot of different reasons for this. Some live in countries affected by war, or that are recovering from conflict. Others come from families who cannot afford to send their children to school. And in some cases, families need their children to work or help at home instead of going to school.

At the United Nations, we believe that every child in the world should be able to go to school and to learn. We know that young people are a powerful force for change in our societies, and that education provides the knowledge they need to shape their future. We also know that education reduces poverty, improves health and drives sustainable development, among many other benefits.

Education is not only an ideal, but also a right listed in a very important document: the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. Another essential right is the right for women and men, girls and boys, to be treated equally. Unfortunately, in many countries girls are discriminated against and are still denied equal access to education, just because they are girls. That’s not fair. Boys and girls must have the same opportunities and rights. We want a world where everyone can go to school and learn.

We also believe in a world of peace, a world that is free from conflict. This year, the theme of your Children’s Walk is "Peace for Children." Children in conflict zones face unimaginable challenges, including being denied the possibility to go to school. But most tragically, many cannot enjoy the basic freedoms every child should have — to play, to run, to kick a ball... and simply walk. In short, to just be kids.
Dear children,

Through the Children’s Walk, you have not only raised funds to help other children go to school, but you have also walked in honour of those children who cannot walk freely and safely in their own communities due to conflict. Your walk is an act of solidarity. Solidarity is a powerful force, and our shared empathy for one another reflects our commitment to building a better world for each, and every one of us.

I am very impressed by your dedication and generosity. You should all be proud of yourselves. Thank you for your commitment to this important fundraising initiative, and for your solidarity with children around the world. I look forward to seeing you back here next year.

Thank you.