MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
Australia will increase support for international efforts to protect children and civilian populations in times of conflict, and to drive reform of the United Nations system.
Civilians, especially children, are too often the victims of conflict and have been deliberately targeted in recent conflicts, like Darfur.
Australia will become a founding donor of the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (GCRP), a new independent organisation to protect civilian populations from mass atrocities.
The Centre will advocate international action in line with the UN endorsed concept of the 'responsibility to protect' when countries are unwilling or unable to protect their own populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, a concept unanimously endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 2005. Australia will provide $300,000 over two years to the Centre.
The Centre will be based at the City University of New York. The Hon Gareth Evans AO QC, former Australian Foreign Minister, is co-chair of the Centre's advisory board.
The breakdown of social protection due to conflict threatens all children with separation from their families, leaves children vulnerable to sexual assault, and has long term psychological consequences for children and their families. To address this, Australia will provide $200,000 to UNICEF to undertake a review of the landmark 1996 Machel study 'The Impact of Armed Conflict on Children.'
The review will assess existing strategies to prevent child soldier recruitment and to improve the well-being and education of children affected by conflict. Australia's contribution will help UNICEF and other organisations to provide support in countries like Sri Lanka and East Timor, for children affected by conflict.
Australia is also committed to continuing the reform of the UN, to make it more effective in tackling poverty, providing humanitarian assistance and protecting the environment. Australia will provide $200,000 to the UN Development Group Office (UNDGO) to support the 'One UN' model, which aims to improve development results on the ground by streamlining UN operations.
Australia will also provide $500,000 over two years to trial the 'One UN' approach in Pakistan. The trial will unify UN agencies operating in Pakistan into one team and streamline the work of the UN at the country level. It is estimated that this approach could result in administrative and operating savings of up to 20 per cent through reduced transaction costs.
Media contacts:
Malcolm Cole (Minister's Office) 02 6277 7500
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590