Day of the African Child Celebration 2013

The celebration of the day of the African children (DAC) arises from resolution no. CM/1290(XL) of the Heads of States summit of the OAU in Abuja, Nigeria in June of 1990. During this summit it was declared that the 16^th day of June every year be celebrated as the day of the African child to commemorate the death of hundreds of school children massacred in Soweto, south Africa by the then apartheid regime in June of 1976. Their only crime was to protest the inferior quality of their education and to demand their rights to be taught in their own language.

Since the declaration, Liberia has been celebrating the DAC in order to discuss issues effecting children and give the platform to children in speaking on these issues, and finding solutions to them.

This year the DAC was celebrated from the 10^th -17^th of June 2013, under the theme: “OUR COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY IN ELIMINATING HARMFUL SOCIAL AND CULTURAL PRACTICES AFFECTING CHILDREN IN LIBERIA” which comes from the continental theme: “ ELIMINATING HARMFUL SOCIAL AND CULTURAL PRACTICES AFFECTING CHILDREN IN AFRICA “OUR COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY”.

The celebration started with an interactive discussion with students and traditional leaders. This year’s DAC was not only historical, but memorable where the Liberia National Children Representative Forum (LNCRF) hosted it first extraordinary session that gear towards the review of their constitution, in Sanniquellie City, Nimba County.

On a bright and sweet Monday the 17^th day of June A.D 2013, the celebration began with a grand parade through the principle streets of the city.

More than five hundred children including students from various schools in Sanniquellie, representatives from the 15 counties and children with disabilities took part in the parade which was followed by an indoor program at the city hall.

The Speaker of the LNCRF delivering the keynote address appealed to the National Traditional Council of Chiefs and elders for guidance in reducing practices that are harmful to children hence, under mains the growth and development of our society.

For her part, Gender Minister Julia Duncan-Cassell called for collective efforts from partners in promoting the well-being of children in Liberia.

WORLD YOUTH ALLIANCE EMERGING LEADERS CONFERENCE
 















“With the Millennium Goals expiring, the new agenda for development post- 2015 is now producing a new set of development goals. Much of the focus of these will be on the issue of the environment and how the human person fit into it sustainably. There are important decisions to be made about the roles and responsibilities of people and communities, but it must go hand-in-hand with their rights as well. The difficult task ahead will be finding the balance between sustainability and development. We believe that a person-centred approach will be the place to start to ensure an efficient harmony between the two ideals.”

To register send an email to europe@wya.net