The Elders help the youngest: Desmond Tutu and global 'Elders' back Save the Children campaign

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Monday, 25, Feb 2008 12:00

Save the Children's campaign to cut drastically the numbers of children who die before reaching their fifth birthday received a global boost today with backing from 'The Elders', the group of world-renowned global figures brought together last year by Nelson Mandela and Graça Machel to tackle global crises.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu said: "There is nothing more precious than the life of a child. This is where we find hope for the future. I encourage people around the world to make their voices heard and back this campaign."

The global goal to cut child mortality is woefully off track. In order to tackle this, Save the Children last week launched a campaign asking 10 million people around the world to take action by 2010 for the 10 million children who die every year.

Jasmine Whitbread, Chief Executive of Save the Children, said: "This is a fantastic boost to Save the Children's new campaign. The Elders are reminding the world that every human has rights - and today they have spoken out for the rights of the youngest. There can be no greater priority in the world than ensuring children have the chance of life. Now families across the world can join such distinguished figures as Desmond Tutu and Kofi Annan to challenge this injustice and help save children's lives."

The Elders Every Human Has Rights campaign, with its aim of getting people all over the world to hold governments and others accountable to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is collaborating with Save the Children and others to promote human rights. As well as Archbishop Tutu, two more members of the Elders have added their personal support to the campaign.

Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said: "It is crucial the world gets on track - there's no clearer indicator of progress than keeping children alive."

Graça Machel, international advocate for women's and children's rights said: "Keeping children alive is a global responsibility and priority. This campaign is driving action around the world to make sure that the promises made to children across the world are kept."

People in the UK can join the Save the Children campaign by logging on to a cutting-edge website that connects them directly with children living in a slum in Sierra Leone, providing a child with a simple life-saving solution just by sending a text. They can also join our online global petition to demand world leaders play their part in saving children's lives by reducing the huge numbers of children that die every year from easily preventable diseases, such as malaria, diarrhoea and pneumonia.

The importance of Save the Children’s campaign was highlighted by political leaders in the UK, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who said: "Every year around the world, 10 million children under the age of five die, predominately in our developing nations. This shocking fact, as documented in Save the Children's report, is a clear indication that the world faces a yet another development wake up call. This is why I am pleased that Save the Children is launching a campaign to keep this issue high on the agenda - we can and we must do more."

Notes to editors:

* Save the Children is partnering with The Elders and a range of other

organisations on the Every Human Has Rights Campaign which aims to reaffirm and renew commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by encouraging people around the world to make a personal pledge to live by the principles of the Declaration which marks its 60th anniversary in 2008. www.theElders.org

* Save the Children is the world's independent children's charity. We're

outraged that millions of children are still denied proper healthcare, food, education and protection. We're working flat out to get every child their rights and we're determined to make further, faster changes. How many? How fast? It's up to you.

* For more information about Save the Children, please visit the

website: www.savethechildren.org.uk

ENDS

For more information please contact the Save the Children media office on 020 7012 6841 or out of hours on 07831 650 409

Notes to Editors

• Save the Children is the world’s independent children’s charity. We’re outraged that millions of children are still denied proper healthcare, food, education and protection. We’re working flat out to get every child their rights and we’re determined to make further, faster changes. How many? How fast? It’s up to you.

• For more information about Save the Children, please visit the website: www.savethechildren.org.uk