Tanzania: AU Set to Commemorate Day of the African Child 2012

By Staff Writer

ADDIS ABABA, — More than 1000 children from different African countries mainly children with disabilities, parents, teachers, international agencies, government bodies and the NGO community will on 14-15 June 2012 participate in Commemorating the Day of the African Child 2012 at the New African Union Conference Center (AUCC), AU Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

With the underlining theme: “The Rights of Children with Disabilities: The Duty to Protect, Respect, Promote and Fulfil”, the aim of the programme is to bring together children from different African countries (mainly children with disabilities), parents, teachers, international agencies, member states and civil society organizations to discuss the theme.

Invited guests include high level officials of the African Union Commission, Representatives of African countries, Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) and Country Directors of International NGOs and invited staff of NGOs.

The event is organized by the Chachi International and Wings Education and Media in collaboration with the Department of Social Affairs of the African Union. The focus as well aims at presenting an opportunity for the AUC to participate in awareness raising on the rights, capabilities and potential of children with disabilities, and to draw attention to the situation of children with disabilities who are particularly vulnerable to marginalization and /or violence.

The expected outcomes will be to enlighten more than 1000 children - mainly children with disabilities and other stakeholders of the rights of children with disabilities. The message is expected to reach millions of children via electronic media, the special publication, billboards, banners and other promotional materials throughout the continent.