Art from the Heart

This is the digital exhibition of artworks and message from children all over the world prepared by the Children's Advisory Team of Child Rights Connect. The goal is to support the discussion at the Annual Day on the Rights of the Child at the UN Human Rights Council about children in armed conflict by showing how children see the world, how conflict affects them, and what they want adults and decision makers to do to protect them.

Children’s voices matter. Their views matter. Even, and especially, in times of war. When children are listened to, peace becomes possible.

سأحدثكم عن مستقبل غزة وما أحب أن أراه متوفرًا فيها من خدمات. غزة المستقبلية هي حلم كل من يعيش فيها أو يحبها. نأمل أن نرى غزة مزدهرة وآمنة، يسودها السلام والاستقرار، وتتوفر فيها فرص العمل والتعليم والرعاية الصحية للجميع. نتمنى أن نراها مدينة خضراء مليئة بالحدائق والمساحات العامة وبنية تحتية متطورة وشوارع نظيفة. أحب أن أرى غزة مرتبطة بالعالم عبر مطار وميناء حديث، وشبابها يقودون الابتكار والإبداع في مجالات التكنولوجيا والعلوم والفنون. غزة تستحق مستقبلًا مشرقًا يليق بصمود أهلها وطموحاتهم. أود أن أرى نظامًا تعليميًا قويًا يواكب التطور ويمنح الطلاب بيئة مليئة بالإبداع والابتكار، ومدارس مجهزة بالتقنيات الحديثة، ومناهج تفتح العقول، ومعلمون يسعون لبناء جيل واعٍ ومثقف. وأطمح إلى مستشفيات حديثة تقدم رعاية طبية شاملة، وتضم تخصصات نادرة وأجهزة متطورة لتعالج المرضى داخل الوطن دون الحاجة للسفر أو الانتظار الطويل. ساعدونا بأن توصلوا صوتنا، أن تفتحوا أعين العالم علينا، أن تكتبوا عنا، أن تذكرونا في دعائكم، أن تقفوا مع الحق. أريد منكم فقط أن تنظروا إلينا بقلوبكم، أن تشعروا بألمنا، وأن تؤمنوا أن كل طفل في هذا العالم يستحق أن يحيا بسلام، وأنا واحدة من هؤلاء الأطفال.”

English Translation

I will talk to you about the future of Gaza and the services I wish to see available there. The Gaza of the future is the dream of everyone who lives in it or loves it. We hope to see a prosperous and safe Gaza, where peace and stability prevail, and where opportunities for work, education, and healthcare are available to all. We hope to see it as a green city, full of parks and public spaces, with an advanced infrastructure and clean streets.

I would love to see Gaza connected to the world through a modern airport and seaport, with its youth leading innovation and creativity in the fields of technology, science, and the arts. Gaza deserves a bright future that befits the resilience and ambitions of its people. I wish to see a strong educational system that keeps pace with development and provides students with an environment full of creativity and innovation—schools equipped with modern technologies, curricula that open minds, and teachers who strive to build a conscious and cultured generation.

I also aspire to see modern hospitals that provide comprehensive medical care, including rare specialties and advanced equipment to treat patients within the homeland without the need for travel or long waiting periods. Help us by making our voices heard, by opening the world’s eyes to us, by writing about us, by remembering us in your prayers, and by standing with the truth. I only ask you to look at us with your hearts, to feel our pain, and to believe that every child in this world deserves to live in peace—and I am one of those children.”

The Future of Gaza مستقبل غزة

First Name: Rahaf

Age: 15

Country: Palestine

Type: Poems and Short Stories

Description:

These artistic works were developed within the framework of the Child Protection Area of Responsibility (CP AoR) initiative “Gaza We Want.” The initiative supports children and young people in expressing their hopes, experiences, and visions for a peaceful future through creative and artistic mediums.