UNICEF Oman and Partners Celebrate World Children’s Day and 35 Years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child with “Listen to the Future” Campaign

Muscat, Oman – December 4th, 2024: In celebration of World Children’s Day (WCD) and the 35th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC35), UNICEF Oman, in collaboration with government counterparts, business partners, and community leaders, activated a vibrant “Listen to the Future” campaign across the Sultanate. The campaign highlighted children’s voices and showcased Oman’s commitment to their rights, aligning with the nation’s Vision 2040 goals.

In line with this year’s theme that emphasized the importance of amplifying children’s voices to address pressing global challenges and ensure a brighter future for every child, UNICEF Oman organized a series of roundtable discussions across Oman. These discussions brought together students from Al-Batina South and Ad’Dakhliya regions and decision-makers such as H.E Dr Hilal Al-Sabti,the Minister of Health and Dr Rashid Al-Balushi, the Chairman of Omani Human Rights Commission, to foster meaningful dialogue on children’s rights and the challenges they face.

The roundtable discussions were hosted by His Excellency Yahya bin Badr Al Mawali, Governor of Ash Sharqiyah South, and His Excellency Sheikh Saleh bin Dhiyab Said Al Rubaiey, Wali of Nizwa.

The “Listen to the Future” campaign saw a remarkable collaboration among UN agencies, community leaders, and social media influencers, who united to spread a shared message of support for Oman’s children during the period starting November 20th which also coincide with Oman’s national day festive season.

Virgin Radio Oman participated in the celebrations with a special takeover event, bringing young voices to the airwaves. Additionally, a comprehensive guide celebrating children’s rights was distributed to schools across the Sultanate, fostering awareness and understanding among the next generation in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.

"As we celebrate World Children’s Day and the 35th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, we reaffirm our commitment to working with the Government of Oman, partners, and the community to protect, empower, and elevate the voices of every child” stated by UNICEF Oman’s Representative, H.E Sumaira Chowdhury. “Together, we are building a future that aligns with Oman Vision 2040, ensuring that children are at the heart of the nation’s development."

Hamad Al-Alawi, an 8th-grade student at Abul Rahman bin Auf School in Al-Sharqiya South reflected on the significance of this year's World Children's Day theme, saying “This slogan deeply resonated with me, as it highlights the critical importance of hearing students' perspectives on issues that impact us and collaboratively discussing ways to address these concerns from our viewpoint”.

UNICEF Oman’s ongoing collaboration with its partners reflects the country’s dedication to placing children at the forefront of its development agenda, in alignment with Oman Vision 2040 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The activities organized this year underscore the shared responsibility of nurturing a future where every child’s rights are upheld, and their potential is realized.