David Beckham wants child protection issues to top UN agenda
September 24, 2015
At an event at the United Nations headquarters in New York, former England captain David Beckham asked leaders to put children at the center of #link:http://www.dw.com/en/top-stories/my-2030/s-32437:Sustainable Development Goals# (SDGs), which are set to be adopted at the UN General Assembly this weekend.
Many of the SDGs, including ensuring access for all to quality education, eliminating poverty, providing food security and improving nutrition, already deal with children.
Beckham, who also unveiled a digital installation at the UN headquarters along with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, said Thursday he wanted to see a "world where children can grow up safe from war, violence, poverty and preventable diseases - a world where every child has a fair chance."
He said that children were affected by both external violence and natural disasters, adding that 2014 was "one of the most devastating years on record for children."
"2015 is proving to be just as bad," the 40-year-old former Manchester United, Real Madrid and LA Galaxy footballer added.
"As a UN ambassador and as a father of four, it breaks my heart to see children continue to suffer," said Beckham, adding that the SDGs offer a great opportunity to improve children's lives across the world.
shs/lw (AFP, AP)