SOUTH SUDAN : CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE UNDERGO RIGHTS TRAINING

 South Sudan: Children and young people undergo rights training

The UN agency, UNICEF, has conducted training for children and youth in South Sudan’s Diocese of in Tombura-Yambio on the rights and responsibilities of minors.

 

 By Elias Ginana Mangbondo - Tombura-Yambio, South Sudan

 

Children trained in rights and responsibilities will be encouraged to advocate for the rights of other children through a series of radio talk shows.

Diocesan office for the protection of minors

The Diocese of Tombura-Yambio during its first Diocesan Synod held in 2019, created an office for children and youth protection in order to assist parishes, schools and organisations understand and implement the AMECEA (Association of Members Episcopal Conferences) and Diocesan charter for the protection of children and young people. This is in accordance with the Child Act 2008 under the provisions of Article 52(2) as well as Article 85(1) of the Interim Constitution of Southern Sudan, which refers to any human being below the age of 18, as a child.

Veronica Annie Michale, the Coordinator of the Women and Family Department in the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, praised local United Nations officials for collaborating with the Church in the vital task regarding the protection and welfare of children in the Diocese and beyond.

Children advocating for the rights of  other children

Ms Michale further indicated that the UNICEF child protection office in Yambio has managed to train representatives among children in the Diocese. Some of the children and youth will participate in different radio talk shows and advocate for the rights and responsibilities of minors.

“The Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio through the Department of Women and Family is ready and will avail children to  theUN Family and Government programmes for participation in any developmental programmes on child-related fields,” she said.

Bishop Kussala spoke to the children about climate change 

Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, the Bishop of Yambio addressed the children at the Diocesan curia about climate change and urged them to stand firm for their rights. He told them that every child must know that he/she represents millions of other children in South Sudan, and children must consider themselves as essential in the Church and nation.  He urged them to report any challenge or abuse they encounter to reliable authorities for protection.

The Bishop then blessed the children and gave each child a fruit tree seedling to go and plant at their homes. He encouraged the children to become active participants in issues of the environment.

Vatican News

 

 

WORLD CHILDREN'S DAY - JOURNEE MONDIALE DE L'ENFANCE - DIA MUNDIAL DEL NINO

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World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children's Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children's welfare.

November 20th is an important date as it is the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Since 1990, World Children's Day also marks the anniversary of the date that the UN General Assembly adopted both the Declaration and the Convention on children's rights.

Mothers and fathers, teachers, nurses and doctors, government leaders and civil society activists, religious and community elders, corporate moguls and media professionals, as well as young people and children themselves, can play an important part in making World Children's Day relevant for their societies, communities and nations.

World Children's Day offers each of us an inspirational entry-point to advocate, promote and celebrate children's rights, translating into dialogues and actions that will build a better world for children.

This year, the COVID-19 crisis has resulted in a child rights crisis. The costs of the pandemic for children are immediate and, if unaddressed, may last a lifetime.

It’s time for generations to come together to reimagine the type of world we want to create. On 20 November, kids will reimagine a better world. What will you do?

Join our #voicesofyouth illustration challenge!

Are you 13-24 years old and love drawing?

Do you want to change the world?

We’re looking for you!

Together, we can reimagine a greener and more sustainable future, for every child.

As World Children’s Day approaches, we invite you to draw your interpretation of the world you want to build after COVID-19 and submit your drawings through our Voices of Youth website, following these steps, and join #voicesofyouth illustration challenge!

 Global Issues: Children

In the aftermath of World War II, the plight of Europe’s children was grave, and a new agency created by the United Nations stepped in to provide food and clothing and health care to these children. In 1953, UNICEF became a permanent part of the UN. Today, the agency works in more than 190 countries and territories, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

 Related observances

4 June: International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression 

12 June: World Day Against Child Labour

12 August: International Youth Day

11 October: International Day of the Girl Child 

 Why do we mark International Days?

International days are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances.