UNICEF Regional Director celebrates World Children’s day in the UAE

DUBAI- 21 November 2018- As the world celebrated the World’s Children day- a global day of action for children to advocate and raise awareness on children’s rights for a better life for all children, His Royal Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai hosted an event at Safa public library in Dubai on November 20, 2018. Present at the ceremony were UNICEF Regional Director, Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF Representative in the Gulf area, Mr Eltayeb Adam and selected children and high level officials from the Dubai Government.

For World Children’s Day, the Executive Council and UNICEF have been working together to have a group of 24 children representing Emirati and International students from public and private schools to bring forth their ideas, initiatives and aspirations for Dubai to become the best city in the world.

“The new generation must be empowered so that their potential can be realized and harnessed to serve the nation and its institutions,” said Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council. 

HH listened to the students’ opinions and suggestions. His Highness expressed his happiness with the quality of proposals presented to him, and issued directives to utilize them by presenting them to the relevant bodies in Dubai Government so that they can be transformed into projects.

“It is important to involve the new generation in shaping our present to reflect the important role that they play in drawing the features of a bright future for the Emirate. I was impressed by their team work and their innovative spirit, which exemplifies their sense of responsibility towards their city, which they consider to be the best in the world,” added Shaikh Hamdan.

UNICEF Regional Director, Geert Cappelaere, present at the event was inspired by children’s innovative ideas in finding solutions for their city. “I am honored to be present today in the World Children’s day event hosted by His Royal Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and thank His Highness and the Executive Council for bringing together children representing Dubai for this occasion. World Children’s Day is a day to advocate and raise funds and awareness, so that together we can aspire to a world where every child is in school and learning, safe from harm and able to reach their full potential.” He also commended the big efforts undertaken with UNICEF’s support in engaging public and private institutions of the Gulf Area countries in advocating for World Children’s Day”.

In Abu-Dhabi, 20 public schools from different Emirates are implementing the activity kit aiming at ending violence in schools as part of global campaign and largest lesson in the world. In addition, many public schools celebrated the day by going blue and showing the awareness material related to it. The Regional Director met children in Sheikh Zayed academy for boys and discussed with them the history of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.  He also attended HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak - Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of The Supreme Council for Motherhood & Childhood and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation ‘s award at the Emirate palace. This award aims to highlight the UAE’s interest in motherhood & childhood worldwide. 

In Sharjah, the Regional Director accompanied by UNICEF Representative in the GAO, Eltayeb Adam met with HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. Also a Children’s Carnival has been organized around Khaled Lake for the public at large starting with a walk of solidarity and ending in fireworks.