Chairperson, Fumitaka WATANABE

AND

President of ASHINAGA, Yoshiomi TAMAI

Children who have lost their parents due to AIDS and other illnesses; war and terrorism; tsunami,　earthquakes and other natural disasters; and suicide are faced with all the perils of the modern world. Sub-saharan Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Carribeans alone, are home to over 143 million children who must face these perils without the guidance and support of parents. (2004 UNICEF, etc) As if bearing the emotional scars from losing a loved one was not enough, these children are constantly challenged with the seemingly never-ending tribulations of extreme poverty; sexual servitude; human trafficking; abuse; molestation and discrimination. At this very moment, these and many other problems continue to plague the lives of our countless brothers and sisters all over the world, and they are sure to echo in time reaching the generations to come.

We believe that we can overcome our differences in race, religion, ethnicity and nationality and unite for our common cause. By doing so, we strongly affirm the differences inherent in the lifestyle and well-being of orphaned children in developed and developing nations and children who are able and unable to receive support and assistance. Thus, for the sake of our brothers and sisters struggling day after day in conditions far worse than ours, we hope that the following measures be taken:

1. Establishing a worldwide ASHINAGA

It is our hope that the following measures be implemented in all nations:

① establishing programs which provide emotional, psychological and educational support to orphaned children

② sharing and relaying the knowledge and experience of providing these services to all nations

③ providing assistance within the context of emotional care to and in neighboring countries during times of crisis and disaster

We have been brought together by a common cause, and by sharing our experiences with one another, we have broadened our horizons to the world and have stengthened our will to live and enjoy life to its fullest extent.

2. Broadening the band of ASHINAGA supporters worldwide

Orphaned children seek the parental love and support they have been deprived of and it is our hope that this love and attention be bestowed upon all those who seek it. By broadening the band of ASHINAGA supporters worldwide, we hope to achieve this goal.

3. "The International Children's Conference" Establishing a transnational network for orphaned children worldwide

The problems which plague orphaned children can not be resolved on their strengths alone. However, with the united effort of the over 100 million orphaned children worldwide, changes can and will be made. To do this, the International Children's Conference, a global network established by, for and of orphans worldwide is greatly needed. The Conference will hold and entail the following functions and responsibilities:

a. Providing a network for orphans worldwide (establishing homepages, assisting with postal and e-mail correspondance, making of a conference theme song and creating visual productions, etc.)

b. Projecting the voices of children to the world

c. Making known our concerns for new laws and policies in order to reduce the number of orphaned children worldwide and to make the world a safer place

We, the children from the 16 nations represented here today, acknowledge the support we receive, and promise to one day become adults who will make a contribution to society and humanity. To those unfortunate children who will grow up without parents in the future and receive the same support, we will pass down this legacy of giving back to society what once was given to us.

We hope and believe that the over 100 million children worldwide who grow up without parents will become responsible adults one day and will make an invaluable contribution to society by perpetuating the cycle of love and affection that they once received.