Sarah Amin, WABA Coordinator

warm welcome was extended to the 367 participants of the WABA Global Forum with a dance presentation by students of Padunsitpittaya School at the monday's opening ceremony. It seemed the most appropriate beginning for a meeting that would deliberate on issues concerning 'Children's Health , Children's Rights'. 

Participants from 86 countries began to gather for the ceremony well before the scheduled time and networking was the first order of business. The programmes planned for the following five days would provide the participants plenty to discuss, argue about, and finally set to pragmatic recommendations. 

In this age of globalisation, much can be achieved by networking organisations; since it provides an opportunity to highlight children's problems at an international level, rather than being restricted to a locality or nation, said the rector of Sukhotai Thammatirat Open University, Professor Iam Chaya-Ngam during the inaugural event. 

This forum is a celebration of the committment and diligence of people who within half a decade have mobilised more than 100 countries to protect, promote and support breastfeeding, said Sarah Amin, Coordinator, WABA. With nearly 130 speakers conducting 88 workshops, this forum will further build the networking of organisations and strengthen the people's movement, she added.