Here are my wishes for 2003.

They are not New Year resolutions, because I have no control over them. I can do my bit, but I cannot ensure they will happen.

They are not hopes, because I am cynical enough to think that a lot of them will not happen, so it’s not worth hoping for them. I would only be disappointed.

But I do wish for them. I wish that :

• in 2003, the world will be a safe place for children and young people.
• they will having loving families.
• they will have somewhere to live where they belong, feel safe and are not exposed to the elements.
• they will have good food in sufficient quantities so that they can grow and develop healthily.
• they will be able to have fun, and play and laugh.

• little children will have a choice of services to suit their needs
• childminders, nannies, play groups, nursery classes, kindergartens and so on.
• they will be happy at school, and not be bullied.
• they will have opportunities for good education and will feel a sense of achievement and success, whatever their age or abilities..
• they will have the chance to get jobs or go on to further education when they leave school.
• children will not be forced to work before they are ready to take on adult roles.
• children will not be forced to work before they are ready to take on adult roles.

• they will not suffer pain or fear from wars, terrorism or repressive regimes.
• they will not lose parents, brothers and sisters or others they love.
• children and young people will not be abused, physically or sexually.
• they will have access to effective help if they are abused.
• they will not be ill or disabled.
• if they are ill or disabled, they will have good remedial care and education.
• they will not have accidents.
• they will not get hooked on drugs or alcohol.
• they will not be trafficked or exploited as prostitutes.
• they will not get caught up in offending.
• their lives will not be traumatised or scarred, carrying forward hurts into adult life.

• they will have choice and control over their own lives, appropriate to their ages.
• when they look back on their childhoods they will have happy memories.

Have you noticed that nearly every single one of my wishes is affected by what other human beings do? Of course there are natural events like hurricanes or plagues and there are accidents and disabilities suffered by children which are beyond human control. And of course, some of the things which befall children are within their own control.

But the overwhelming majority of hurtful, unpleasant and traumatic things suffered by children and young people are caused by other people, - mainly adults in positions of power over children and young people - and they need not happen.

And the overwhelming majority of positive experiences which children and young people can have are created by other people, often the adults responsible for them.

Potential abusers can decide not to abuse. People can be caring. Teachers can be committed and teach well. Politicians can decide not to authorise torture or war. There is enough food if people in authority distribute it fairly. The world can afford clean water and proper housing for everyone, if it makes them priorities. Governments can observe the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Last of all, I wish you all a very happy and peaceful 2003. That’s something I can do, and whatever sort of year you have, no-one can take away the warmth of my wish - wherever you live.