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.
The Concept Note and the
Programme of the Conference are attached.
Further media inquiries should be directed to:
Mr. Kameni N. Yannick
Communication Officer, ACERWC Secretariat
Email:
KameniY@africa-union.org
Tel: 00251 940 296 325
You can follow the Conference on ACERWC Social Media platforms:
Twitter: ACERWC (@acerwc)
#acrwc25 #RatifyReport #MyCharterMyRights
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