Salesian head urges birth registration for every child

November 19, 2012 - The head of the Salesians of Don Bosco is calling on Salesian communities across the globe to strengthen their commitment in promoting and safeguarding the right of every child in the world to be registered at birth. Fr. Pascual Chávez Villanueva, the Rector Major of the Salesians made the call on the occasion of the United Nations-sponsored Universal Children Day on November 20, Tuesday. Since 2009, the day has also been marked as the World Day of Prayer and action for Children. “I would like to launch an appeal for prayer and action “For the universal promotion of the right of registration of birth as a tool in the struggle against poverty and prevention of violence against children: There should be no more 'non-existent' children”, Fr. Chavez said. There are an estimated 50 million children in the world whose existence is not recognised because they have never been registered anywhere. They have no document stating their name, no indication of nationality or age. The consequences of such an omission are truly serious: exclusion from school, lack of health care, trafficking of minors, exploitation of child labour, under-age marriage and forced enlistment. “An individual's birth certificate,” Fr. Chavez said, “allows one to become a citizen, and guarantees that basic rights will be protected and respected.” “Without a birth certificate an adult may never legally obtain a passport, travel, get married, gain access to education or welfare, acquire property, inheritance, or take up formal work.” The Salesian family that oversees 15 million boys and girls in 133 countries around the world is being urged to foster strong alliances with other men and women of faith to promote and protect the rights of each child regardless of differences.