Children and sustainable development goals

KINSHASA, 20 November 2017 - The Ministry of Gender, Children and Family and UNICEF highlight the role of children and adolescents in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The 20th of November marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. As part of the celebration of Universal Children’s Day on 20 November 2017, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Family and UNICEF have undertaken several initiatives to give children and adolescents a voice while giving them the opportunity to engage in action. The focus is on the role that children and adolescents can play in the context of achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

To this end, in addition to a celebration organised by Chantal SAFOU LOPUSA, the Minister of Gender, Children and Family on 20 November, children and adolescents will accompany various decision-makers throughout the country in their daily tasks and decision making. These decision-makers include the Minister of Gender and the UNICEF Representative in the DRC. They are also granted the opportunity to choose and host national radio and television programmes, among others on Radio Okapi and Digital Congo.

Another project that is planned as part of the Universal Children’s Day celebrations is the ‘’For every child, dreams’’ exhibition. This photo exhibition showcases these young people (between 6 and 18 years of age) who play an active role in social development and make positive changes in their country and towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The exhibition includes a series of portraits of children and adolescents in the DRC showing what they would like to become by 2030. These photos will send a message of peace and present the dreams of children in the DRC by linking these dreams to the global SDG development agenda. The exhibition will be inaugurated on 21 November at the French Institute in Kinshasa. The exhibition can be visited free of charge until 11 December.

The exhibition includes videos of the best pleas made across the country by children and adolescents on the subject of the Sustainable Development Goals and their active involvement in achieving these.

A version of the ‘’For every child, dreams’’ exhibition will be shown – at the same time as in Kinshasa – in Matadi, Bandundu, Mbandaka, Kananga, Mbuji Mayi, Lubumbashi, Kindu, Bukavu, Goma, Bunia and Kisangani, in order to ensure that the message conveyed by the children and adolescents is echoed nationally.

Finally, to mark the festive character of the celebrations, the Ministry of Gender and UNICEF are organising a one-off concert by Lexus Légal at the Halle de la Gombe under the theme children and adolescents and their dreams for the future. The concert will take place on Friday 24 November from 19h00. Entry is free.