Minister Azwar underlines virtues of small families
Minister Azwar underlines virtues of small families
JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar Anas urged organizations concerned with child welfare to join in the government's campaign to promote the concept of "small and prosperous" families.
A child in a small family is likely to enjoy more care and affection from the parents, Azwar said in opening a congress of FK-PPAI, a forum of more than 100 child-welfare organizations.
"Parents' love cannot be replaced by anything and they are very influential in a child's physical and mental growth," he said.
"Our children's future depends on our success in promoting small happy families, " he said.
The government's family planning campaign stresses the virtue of a small family consisting of a mother, father and one or two children.
FK-PPAI enjoys the patronage of many influential figures including First Lady Tien Soeharto, justice Bismar Siregar and legislator Theo Sambuaga.
The three day conference is focusing on society's role in the implementation of the international convention on the rights of the child, which Indonesia ratified in 1990.
Azwar also noted with concern that in spite of the progress Indonesia has made in improving the welfare of children, child abuse is still prevalent.
He said it occurs because of poverty, backwardness, ignorance and, in the case of child workers, for financial motivation.
These are illegal according to the 1979 Law on Child Welfare and the International Convention on Children's Rights, he said.
He stressed the need for parents to live up to their responsibilities because the future of children is in their hands.
Azwar said the congress should draw up recommendations for future government policy on children as the nation prepares to begin the Second Decade for Children on July 23, National Children's Day.
The congress, which was opened at the Ministry of Home Affairs Building, moved to the Safari Garden Hotel in the Cisarua mountain resort. Other officials expected to brief the congress include State Minister of National Development Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita.
FK-PPAI chairperson Lily I. Rilantono said the congress would discuss parents' responsibility in improving the quality of children. (01)