Defending children from any kind of violence is a challenge for the international community, which must guarantee respect for the rights of the youngest. In short, Msgr. Silvano Tomasi said that during the IV session of the Council of the rights of man about the rights of children and the protection obligation. Msgr. Tomasi is the papal nuncio and permanent observer of the Holy See at UNO, in Geneva. "The future of society depends on children", stated Msgr. Tomasi, who recalled the conditions affecting lots of them, "victims of war and famine, deprived of school, forced to live in the street, forced to do hard work". Msgr. Tomasi invoked "urgent acknowledgement of their rights". In particular, the right of "living in a safe and cosy family, an environment in which physical, psychological and spiritual growth must be assured". "In accordance with such objectives he confirmed, the States should help the family to fulfil its task. Governments must protect and promote the family, since its link with society is vital and organic". Finally, Msgr. Tomasi recalled the importance of education as instrument to encourage tolerance, and invited the States "not to impose specific models of moral conscience without taking into consideration the moral and religious beliefs of parents".
