World Children’s Day: Children to raise their voices and ask leaders for renewed commitments

More than 500 children from Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe gathered in Lusaka on 20 November to mark World Children Day and share their views on key issues affecting their lives with the presidents of Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe and the Vice President of Namibia.

These are some of the highlights of the celebration.

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Speech from the UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Rusell at the WCD celebration at Mulungshi Conference Center in Lusaka Zambia “UNICEF is commited to working for the rights of every child”

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President Hakainde greeting the children during the event

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Child delegate Yolanda Grace Tembo from Zambia talking about issues children face with regards to education “we call upon you our leaders to improve our education system”

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Green/Blue Planet song on climate change performance by child delegates from Zimbabwe

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Delegates and Heads of States pose for a photo in front of the mural painted with children’s support.

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UNICEF East and Southern Africa Regional Director Mohammad Fall sharing a light moment with Botswana President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi “Happy to have witnessed children and young people working alongside their Presidents to make a brighter future for every child.”

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Namibian Vice President Nangolo Mbumba “We consider the fulfilment of child rights our duty. We believe investing in a child has long lasting impacts.”

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Zambia President Hakainde Hichilema “We recognise that children are at the heart of human and social development. This is why we have put in place legislations that consider children’s rights.”

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Children and leadres posed for a photo after the WCD celebrations marking 33 years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

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Heads of States signed the Mural as a sign of commitment towards Children’s Rights in the four States.

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“We are working with children as our advisers. In Zimbabwe we have a children’s parliament where children elect their own leaders and once a year we get to sit and hear they table their issues.”

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Child delegate Catherine Mantswe “I dream of a dream of a Botswana, Namibian, Zambia, and Zimbabwe where children with disabilities will not suffer stigma and discrimination.”

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Kavanaga Rivaldo Namibian Child Delegate “We propose to our leaders do not manage the world for us but manage the world with us.”

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Unathi Nyoni Zimbabwean Child Delegate “We need climate smart energy. Our leaders should invest in renewable energy.”

Blessings Mwamba presenting a call to action “We would like to emphasize that the growing effects of climate change put children at risk.”

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Revealing the next host country by President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia and child delegate Brandon Tembo

World Children’s Day: Children to raise their voices and ask leaders for renewed commitments

A Presidential Summit in Zambia

A day for children to raise their voices

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World Children’s Day: Children to raise their voices and ask leaders for renewed commitments

A Presidential Summit in Zambia

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A day for children to raise their voices