ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, November 18, 2015/APO (African Press Organization)/ —
WHAT: Conference on the Commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the adoption of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
When: 20 -21 November, 2015 starting at 09:00
Where: New Conference Centre, African Union Commission
WHO: The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child organizes a high level conference to assess the situation of children in Africa 25 years after the adoption of the African Children’s Charter.
Why: The Conference will bring together Experts on children Rights, the Chairperson of the PRC, higher officials from the African Union Commission, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Violence Against Children, members of AU Human Rights Organs, UN Agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations, Civil Society Organizations and academic institutions to reflect on the impact of the Charter over the last 25 years, with a view of guiding the future efforts to promote and protect the rights and welfare of children in Africa and the development of a long term (for the coming 25 years) Agenda for Children’s Rights in Africa.
Background: The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) was adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity in July 1990, and entered into force in November, 1999. After 25 years of its adoption, 47 countries have ratified the Charter. The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child is the only regional instrument on the protection of the rights of children.
Since its enforcement the Charter has improved the lives of children, to one degree or another, in all States Parties. However, there are still gaps that need to be filled to ensure the wellbeing of children in Africa. Therefore, the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) plans to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Charter with the view of reinforcing State Parties commitment to children’s rights, examining the main achievements and challenges in the implementation of the charter, and identifying the way forward. The celebration also aims at highlighting the role of UN agencies, CSOs and stakeholders and the collaboration between the Committee and other organs of the African Union.
An exhibition of 25 Key Advocacy Messages to African Union Member States and State Parties to the Charter will be held during the Conference.
Media are invited to cover the Opening Ceremony of the Conference, on 20 November, at 09:00 AM, Panel discussions and all the parallel sessions.
