| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| Haile Selassie I |
| click Ethiopian Flag to return to Selected Speeches |
| click Ethiopian Flag to return to Selected Speeches |
| Home | Haile Selassie I | The Church | Rastalogy | Organization | Church Store | Events | Related Links | Contact Us |
| Copyright © 2003-2004 The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. ~ All rights reserved. |
| Selected Speeches |
| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| Chapter V |
| Opening Of U.N.I.C.E.F. Conference May 17, 1966 |
| Selected Speeches |
| Haile Selassie the First - May 17, 1966 |
It gives Us great pleasure to welcome the delegates and observers who
have come to this, the 66th sessional meeting of the United Nations
Children's Fund. This is only the second time that this meeting has been
held outside the United Nations' Headquarters, and the first time that it has
taken place on African soil. It is only proper, therefore, that we pay
tribute today to the Organization and confirm in person the deep feelings
of debt and gratitude which we all feel for the service which U.N.I.C.E.F.
so well renders to the future generations of the world.
Your presence today on the African continent will provide the opportunity
for you to focus your attention on Africa's children and to concentrate on
the problems of the children and the youth of Africa, and on the best use
to be made of the resources available to them. Share amongst you plans
for meeting the needs of Our children, and help to bring to fruition Our
united hopes for a brighter and happier future for them. Since important
responsibilities will be handed over tomorrow to the youth of today,
everything possible must be done for their proper upbringing and
development of mind.
A mark of a worthy civilization is the willingness of these to whom much
has been given to share their portion with those in need. The heritage of
Our children is surely among those gifts which lie closest to man's heart.
In aiding the young, those whom fate has cast aside or passed unnoticed,
we demonstrate our hope and faith in the future. All over the world,
U.N.I.C.E.F. has provided help to mothers and children. Although the
help provided so far can by no means be considered to have adequately
met the need, U.N.I.C.E.F.'s activity on behalf of mothers and children
throughout the world is quite significant and portends good for the future.
No rural area has been too remote to it. Help has, indeed, been largely
concentrated in those areas, although the organization's outlook has been
all embracing. U.N.I.C.E.F. has also wisely attached great importance to
the need for improved environmental conditions particularly those found in
the tropical areas. In sum, U.N.I.C.E.F. has worked for the total welfare
of the family.
Nor has U.N.I.C.E.F. neglected the problem of hunger, the original enemy
of the Organization during its early days following World War II. Allied
with other international bodies, U.N.I.C.E.F. has provided food for
millions of mothers and their children. In Africa, there is today an urgent
need to know what foods give the greatest benefit to the growing child.
And surely, until there is food enough for all, the infant and the young
have first claim on what there is. If Africa's immense natural resources
are put to the service of the African people through the development of the
necessary skills and organization, the wealth of Africa, in a reasonable
time, will not only adequately cover the needs of children but also will give
rise to a general prosperity throughout Africa.
have come to this, the 66th sessional meeting of the United Nations
Children's Fund. This is only the second time that this meeting has been
held outside the United Nations' Headquarters, and the first time that it has
taken place on African soil. It is only proper, therefore, that we pay
tribute today to the Organization and confirm in person the deep feelings
of debt and gratitude which we all feel for the service which U.N.I.C.E.F.
so well renders to the future generations of the world.
Your presence today on the African continent will provide the opportunity
for you to focus your attention on Africa's children and to concentrate on
the problems of the children and the youth of Africa, and on the best use
to be made of the resources available to them. Share amongst you plans
for meeting the needs of Our children, and help to bring to fruition Our
united hopes for a brighter and happier future for them. Since important
responsibilities will be handed over tomorrow to the youth of today,
everything possible must be done for their proper upbringing and
development of mind.
A mark of a worthy civilization is the willingness of these to whom much
has been given to share their portion with those in need. The heritage of
Our children is surely among those gifts which lie closest to man's heart.
In aiding the young, those whom fate has cast aside or passed unnoticed,
we demonstrate our hope and faith in the future. All over the world,
U.N.I.C.E.F. has provided help to mothers and children. Although the
help provided so far can by no means be considered to have adequately
met the need, U.N.I.C.E.F.'s activity on behalf of mothers and children
throughout the world is quite significant and portends good for the future.
No rural area has been too remote to it. Help has, indeed, been largely
concentrated in those areas, although the organization's outlook has been
all embracing. U.N.I.C.E.F. has also wisely attached great importance to
the need for improved environmental conditions particularly those found in
the tropical areas. In sum, U.N.I.C.E.F. has worked for the total welfare
of the family.
Nor has U.N.I.C.E.F. neglected the problem of hunger, the original enemy
of the Organization during its early days following World War II. Allied
with other international bodies, U.N.I.C.E.F. has provided food for
millions of mothers and their children. In Africa, there is today an urgent
need to know what foods give the greatest benefit to the growing child.
And surely, until there is food enough for all, the infant and the young
have first claim on what there is. If Africa's immense natural resources
are put to the service of the African people through the development of the
necessary skills and organization, the wealth of Africa, in a reasonable
time, will not only adequately cover the needs of children but also will give
rise to a general prosperity throughout Africa.
| United Nations International |
| Assist Education |
Together with providing sustenance and nourishment for the body,
U.N.I.C.E.F. has since 1961 been offering assistance in the education of
the young as part of its programme. The saying is Mens sana in corpore
sano -- a sound mind in a sound body; food for the body and food for the
mind are both essential.
Problems still remain. Although attempts have been made to control birth,
millions of children are still born in misery, and die in sickness. Millions of
African children die in infancy. Those that survive are all to often
handicapped by disease, by lack of education, with no opportunity to
inherit the rights of other children of the world. During this meeting, you
will have an opportunity to takeaction which will enable generations that
follow to look back upon this conference as the beginning of a new era of
well-being and happiness for our children. If humanity is led to a better
observance of convenants -- that are meant for orderly conduct of life --
and if the progress of science is applied solely for human welfare, the
increase of population would have become not a burden but a matter of
gratification. If this approach is made the needs of children in education,
health and other respects would be fully met, thus assuring a better life for
all succeeding generations. We urge you to draw upon your wisdom and
experience in your search for the means to provide a healthy and
prosperous future for our children.
May Almighty God bless you in the work that lies before you.
U.N.I.C.E.F. has since 1961 been offering assistance in the education of
the young as part of its programme. The saying is Mens sana in corpore
sano -- a sound mind in a sound body; food for the body and food for the
mind are both essential.
Problems still remain. Although attempts have been made to control birth,
millions of children are still born in misery, and die in sickness. Millions of
African children die in infancy. Those that survive are all to often
handicapped by disease, by lack of education, with no opportunity to
inherit the rights of other children of the world. During this meeting, you
will have an opportunity to takeaction which will enable generations that
follow to look back upon this conference as the beginning of a new era of
well-being and happiness for our children. If humanity is led to a better
observance of convenants -- that are meant for orderly conduct of life --
and if the progress of science is applied solely for human welfare, the
increase of population would have become not a burden but a matter of
gratification. If this approach is made the needs of children in education,
health and other respects would be fully met, thus assuring a better life for
all succeeding generations. We urge you to draw upon your wisdom and
experience in your search for the means to provide a healthy and
prosperous future for our children.
May Almighty God bless you in the work that lies before you.
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |