Let's join hands in action for children!

View this email in your browser

View in Browser | Foward to a Friend

Interfaith Cooperation | Ethics Education | Prayer and Action | Ending Child Poverty

The coronavirus (COVID-19) has now spread across the globe and the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it a pandemic. The world has been affected in unprecedented ways. We are all saddened by the report that an increasing number of people, mostly the elderly but also including children, are losing their lives to this virus. We are praying for the suffering and the departed, and for an early end of the pandemic worldwide.

Although the mortality rate among children has been low so far, they are seriously affected by the impact of the pandemic. In many countries, schools are closed down and children are losing not only access to education but also their precious time to interact with their friends and teachers and in some cases food provided at school as well. Their lives may also be even more severely affected if their family members or caregivers become ill or lose their lives. We must keep in mind that children are very vulnerable to the impact of the pandemic, and we need to listen to their voices and stand by them. Arigatou International will continue to work with our partners and supporters to offer necessary support to children around the world in this difficult time.

This historic pandemic reminds us that in today’s world people are deeply interconnected globally. We are learning the valuable lesson that how even one person behaves affects others and that our collective actions have the power to change the situation around the world in any direction. This is the time when we need to encourage a sense of solidarity as one human community and act together to overcome this threat to humankind with empathy and care for the vulnerable people including children. Arigatou International will do everything in its power to contribute to the international efforts to end the pandemic.

Rev. Keishi Miyamoto
President, Arigatou International
Convenor, Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC)

Rev. Miyamoto’s message is also available in the following languages:

Español | Français | 日本語 | Portugués | Arabic

Faith in Action for Children: Join the Movement!

Let’s join hands in action to protect and empower children in this difficult time.

Faith in Action for Children is a Global Campaign developed by Arigatou International and its initiatives to support religious communities, parents, caregivers and teachers around the world to work for the physical and spiritual wellbeing of children during the Covid-19 pandemic.

You can join the campaign by:

1. Sharing by emailing us here about what you are doing with your communities to protect children during the COVID-19 Pandemic and we will select updates periodically to share across our social media

2. Following and implementing these 12 concrete recommendations to keep children safe and protected, and ensure their physical and spiritual well-being

3. Sharing these resources with parents and caregivers and with your religious communities

4. Using the hashtag #FaithInActionForChildren in your social media

5. Offering your time and expertise, and volunteering with us to promote this campaign and/or implement specific actions

6. Signing up to our newsletter to receive updates and new resources

7. Visiting our website.

8. Partnering with us.

“While the elderly and those with pre-existing health complications are the most vulnerable to COVID-19, as always, women and children often become extra-vulnerable not only from the virus but also from their vulnerable situation in most societies, including from domestic violence, gender-based violence and lack of effective social safety nets.”

Kul Chandra Gautam
Chair, Arigatou International Advisory Group, Former Deputy Executive Director, UNICEF, and Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations.

Voices of Children

Children and youth from the Global Network of Religions for Children, GNRC, share their wisdom and recommendations to their peers to protect themselves and care for others.

View All Videos

Voices of Religious Leaders

Rabbi David Rosen, KSG, CBE

International Director, Interreligious Affairs, The American Jewish Committee, Member of Arigatou International Advisory Group

Mt. Rev. Julio Murray, Archbishop

Episcopal Church for the Central America region, Member of Arigatou International Advisory Group

View All Videos

Religious Leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean
Respond to COVID-19

View All Videos

POSTERS:

Faith in Action for Children

12 Messages and Actions to Ensure Children’s Wellbeing during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Download Here

RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS:

Learning to Live Together
An Activity Booklet for Children during the Covid-19 Pandemic - For Children Aged 4 to 18

12 Messages and Actions to Ensure Children’s Wellbeing during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Download Here

Additional Resources:

Several partners have created additional resources to raise awareness and protect communities, families and children during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The following is a selection of good resources.

The following is a selection of good resources.

Coming up:

Faith in Action for Children: Working Together with Religious Communities to Protect and Empower Children

Faith in Action for Children: How to Nurture Children’s Spirituality and Ethical Values during the Covid-19 Pandemic

A Plea for Our Children
by Dr. Katherine Marshall

In this time of global crisis, my heart aches above all else for the disrupted lives of children...

Disrupting the Pandemic: Science, Society and Solidarity!
by Dr. Kezevino Aram

Disruption of the COVID 19 pandemic will only be possible if Science, Society and a spirit of Solidarity moves us to reflect...