The Day of the African Child is celebrated on 16 June every year by the African Union pursuant to resolution CM/Res.1290(XL). It offers an opportunity to remember the 1976 massacre of SOWETO children, who took to the streets to demand their right to racism-free education in apartheid South Africa. The Day of the African Child seeks to draw the attention of all actors involved in improving the condition of children on the continent and to unite their efforts to combat the ills that plague the daily lives of children. It is also an occasion for governments, international institutions and communities to to organise activities to promote the rights of children. In 2010, African States celebrated the 20th Day of the African Child under the theme: "Planning and Budgeting for Children's Welfare: A Collective Responsibility". This celebration helped in making an assessment of investments in children and of the level of such investment in comparison with commitments by the States to take all necessary steps to give effect to the recognised rights of children. This assessment has shown that a country's commitment to promoting the rights and welfare of children is not dependent on its economic status but rather on its political will and expenditure priorities. Ahead of the 21st Day of the African Child, the Executive Council of the African Union adopted by Decision No. EX.CL/Dec. 569(XVII) the following theme: "All Together for Urgent Actions in Favour of Street Children". The phenomenon of children living on the street is a multidimensional obstacle to child development, including at the educational, health and psycho-emotional levels. This is a phenomenon which requires a mobilisation of all field workers in a bid to provide multidisciplinary assistance to the children.
Day of the African Child: “All Together for Urgent Actions in Favour of Street Children”
Organisation:
Web:
http://www.crin.org/docs/Day_African_Child_2011.doc
Link :
http://www.crin.org/docs/Speech_African_Committee.doc
Countries
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