Latest news with #UNConventionontheRightsoftheChild
Morocco World
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
CNDH Elevates Children's Voices as Central in Government Legislation
Rabat – The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) in Rabat has brought together children from across Morocco for a two‑day national consultation on June 13 and 14 to strengthen child rights. The event marked the culmination of a year‑long journey of 12 regional consultations held between February 2023 and February 2024. Supported by UNICEF Morocco, the initiative aims to firmly embed the principle of children's participation into Moroccan laws and administrative procedures. CNDH President Amina Bouayach opened the session alongside children's representatives from each region. 'We are holding the national consultation today as a culmination of the regional consultations that we have conducted over the past year in the 12 regions of Morocco,' she told Morocco World News in an interview on the sidelines. CNDH two-day consultation in Rabat These consultations had two main objectives, Bouayach said. 'The first was to engage and discuss with children about implementing and establishing the principle of participation in the legal texts and administrative procedures in Morocco,' she explained. The second objective was to work with these children on identifying the major issues related to their rights, guarantees, and programs, in order to present their report next September. Over the two days, children will lead all discussion sessions, with a focus on how to apply the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in national policy and how to prepare their own parallel report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. In September, two elected child delegates from this consultation will travel to Geneva to present Morocco's children's perspectives directly to the committee. CNDH two-day consultation in Rabat 'Participation is key,' said Laura Bill, UNICEF Representative in Morocco, on the sidelines of the event. 'Most of the work of UNICEF around the world, and including in Morocco, is to ensure that children's participation is part of any government initiative,' she told MWN. Bill noted that the children's views will be included in the government's annual report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva. Laura Bill, UNICEF Representative in Morocco Bouayach described the initiative as a pioneering effort recognized both in Africa and around the world. She added that this national consultation not only gathers children's voices on legal and social issues, but also empowers them through practical workshops. Among these is an interactive drawing workshop on digital spaces and safe internet use. The event will close with the launch of a 'Children's Call,' a statement reflecting their vision and top priorities for rights and protections. CNDH and UNICEF will sign a partnership during the closing session to reinforce their joint commitment to 'Listen. Act. Participate.' CNDH President Amina Bouayach Tags: childrenCNDHconsultation
Scoop
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Systemic Change Crucial So That All Mokopuna Māori Thrive
Press Release – Mana Mokopuna The new report published today by my colleagues Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Childrens Monitor shows the urgent need for systemic change at a collective level, so that all mokopuna Mori can thrive. In light of a new report published today about outcomes for mokopuna Māori and whānau in the oranga tamariki system, the Chief Children's Commissioner is emphasising that all mokopuna Māori have the right to grow up safe and well with their whānau. 'The new report published today by my colleagues Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children's Monitor shows the urgent need for systemic change at a collective level, so that all mokopuna Māori can thrive. 'I want to see all agencies across the oranga tamariki system working better together to address the inequities highlighted in this report so that all mokopuna Māori are flourishing in their lives, in the care of their whānau. The State has duties to uphold the rights of mokopuna Māori as tangata whenua under Te Tiriti o Waitangi and under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This new report shows that the system as a whole is still falling short of this, and that there are intergenerational impacts playing out right now. 'I meet frequently with whānau Māori and their mokopuna, iwi and hapū across the motu. They tell me it is whānau-led, iwi, hapū and kaupapa Māori approaches that are helping to strengthen whānau, keep mokopuna safe, and growing continued pathways to mana motuhake – self determination. The findings of this report back this up,' says Dr Achmad. The Chief Children's Commissioner notes that the report shows that good progress can be made where there is genuine partnership between Māori and State agencies that keeps mokopuna and whānau central, along with the sharing of data and resources. 'I want to see these approaches strengthened and expanded so they deliver enduring wraparound services and supports for all mokopuna and whānau who need them. A stronger focus on by Māori for Māori prevention and early intervention is essential. These approaches will improve outcomes so that all mokopuna Māori grow up safe and well in the care of their whānau, connected to their whakapapa.' She says safety concerns about mokopuna must be responded to appropriately and quickly, but that with almost half of Reports of Concern leading to no further action, the report shows this isn't happening. 'I want to see mokopuna Māori needs being met early, through Māori-led approaches working closely with whānau. These ways of working need to be better supported by the oranga tamariki system – the report highlights that this leads to the best outcomes for whānau and mokopuna. 'I am deeply concerned the report shows mokopuna Māori aged 10-17 are more likely to be prosecuted than non-Māori, and less likely to be referred by Police to alternative action or given warnings. The system must urgently stop criminalising the unmet care and protection needs of mokopuna Māori. 'Nearly 40 years have passed since the publication of Pūao-te-āta-tū. This new report shows that the system is still not working as it should be for whānau Māori and their mokopuna. The crucial change that is required must collectively meet the aspirations of whānau and mokopuna Māori,' says Dr Achmad.
News18
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
International Day Of Play 2025: Quotes, Why And How To Celebrate The Day?
Last Updated: International Day of Play 2025: Celebrated on June 11, the day highlights play's role in child development. International Day Of Play 2025: Celebrated on June 11, the International Day of Play marks a powerful step forward in recognising the vital role of play in every child's life. It serves as a global reminder to protect, promote, and prioritise play—not just for fun, but as an essential part of a child's growth and development. This day celebrates the transformative power of play while also calling on communities, educators, and leaders to ensure that every child, everywhere, can enjoy their right to play and reach their full potential. International Day Of Play 2025: Theme In 2025, the International Day of Play will be observed with the theme 'Choose Play – Every Day." The theme serves as a reminder to all of us—governments, corporations, educational institutions, and families—to make choices that value and encourage children's play. International Day of Play 2025: History The first International Day of Play was celebrated on June 11, 2024, signifying a global commitment to acknowledge and celebrate the value of play in children's development. According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations General Assembly set this date in March 2024 following a resolution that was co-proposed by several countries, including Vietnam. Since then, the International Day of Play has been observed officially. The first commemoration in 2024 focused on the themes of 'Time to Play," 'Space to Play," 'Quality of Play," and 'Play Never Ends." It also featured participatory activities and conversations. The event was co-organised by member governments and organisations such as the LEGO Foundation, the LEGO Group, UNESCO, and UNICEF. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child's description of children's fundamental right to play served as the impetus for the founding of this day. The purpose of the day is to boost public awareness on the advantages of play for children's growth, education, and general well-being. It is a day to emphasise the value of play as a child's fundamental right and to promote regulations and processes that encourage play in every aspect of children's lives. It also helps people become more resilient, creative, and innovative. Play helps children in particular develop relationships and enhances their ability to govern, overcome trauma, and solve problems. Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child recognises play as a fundamental right of all children. The international play day elevates the value of play by fostering a time of unity on a local, national, and worldwide level. It serves as a signal for global demand for financing, training, and policies to integrate play into community and educational contexts. International Day of Play 2025: Quotes 'We don't stop playing because we get old; we get old because we stop playing," – George Bernard Shaw. 'Play is not a break from learning. It is endless, delightful, deep, engaging, practical learning," – Vince Gowmon. 'Play builds bridges, sparks creativity, and creates unforgettable memories," – Sozler Sepeti. 'It's the things we play with and the people who help us play that make a great difference in our lives," – Fred Rogers. 'Learning, self-expression, creativity, and constructive problem-solving all stem from play. It's how children wrestle with life to make it meaningful," – American psychiatrist Susan Linn. International Day of Play 2025: How to celebrate? UNICEF invites people and organisations to participate in the event by exchanging ideas, encouraging play-based activities, and spreading knowledge on the advantages of play for children. This handful of entertaining and simple ideas for schools to celebrate the day are meant to be both enjoyable and meaningful. Creative Storytelling Sessions: Arrange storytelling workshops where children and their parents collaborate to create stories. Encourage collaborative creation by using ideas to spark their imagination and help students create new characters, settings, and storylines. Workshops on Movement and Mindfulness: Organise classes that blend mindfulness exercises with enjoyable movement exercises like yoga or dance. These sessions can improve emotional sensitivity and group joy. Outdoor Scavenger Hunts: Organise a nature scavenger hunt in a nearby park or on school property, and invite families to participate. This strengthens bonds with the environment and encourages physical exercise, observational abilities, and a love of the natural world. About the Author Bhaswati Sengupta Bhaswati Sengupta is a Sub-Editor at News18, where she works closely with the Web Stories and Photo Gallery team to create visually engaging and impactful digital content. She also contributes to Lifestyle More The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published:
Scoop
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Systemic Change Crucial So That All Mokopuna Māori Thrive
In light of a new report published today about outcomes for mokopuna Māori and whānau in the oranga tamariki system, the Chief Children's Commissioner is emphasising that all mokopuna Māori have the right to grow up safe and well with their whānau. 'The new report published today by my colleagues Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children's Monitor shows the urgent need for systemic change at a collective level, so that all mokopuna Māori can thrive. 'I want to see all agencies across the oranga tamariki system working better together to address the inequities highlighted in this report so that all mokopuna Māori are flourishing in their lives, in the care of their whānau. The State has duties to uphold the rights of mokopuna Māori as tangata whenua under Te Tiriti o Waitangi and under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This new report shows that the system as a whole is still falling short of this, and that there are intergenerational impacts playing out right now. 'I meet frequently with whānau Māori and their mokopuna, iwi and hapū across the motu. They tell me it is whānau-led, iwi, hapū and kaupapa Māori approaches that are helping to strengthen whānau, keep mokopuna safe, and growing continued pathways to mana motuhake – self determination. The findings of this report back this up,' says Dr Achmad. The Chief Children's Commissioner notes that the report shows that good progress can be made where there is genuine partnership between Māori and State agencies that keeps mokopuna and whānau central, along with the sharing of data and resources. 'I want to see these approaches strengthened and expanded so they deliver enduring wraparound services and supports for all mokopuna and whānau who need them. A stronger focus on by Māori for Māori prevention and early intervention is essential. These approaches will improve outcomes so that all mokopuna Māori grow up safe and well in the care of their whānau, connected to their whakapapa.' She says safety concerns about mokopuna must be responded to appropriately and quickly, but that with almost half of Reports of Concern leading to no further action, the report shows this isn't happening. 'I want to see mokopuna Māori needs being met early, through Māori-led approaches working closely with whānau. These ways of working need to be better supported by the oranga tamariki system – the report highlights that this leads to the best outcomes for whānau and mokopuna. 'I am deeply concerned the report shows mokopuna Māori aged 10-17 are more likely to be prosecuted than non-Māori, and less likely to be referred by Police to alternative action or given warnings. The system must urgently stop criminalising the unmet care and protection needs of mokopuna Māori. 'Nearly 40 years have passed since the publication of Pūao-te-āta-tū. This new report shows that the system is still not working as it should be for whānau Māori and their mokopuna. The crucial change that is required must collectively meet the aspirations of whānau and mokopuna Māori,' says Dr Achmad.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
When we failed our children, we failed the world
Swaty Prakash is a mother, a writer, and an educator. She also fiercely adds that she is a former journalist who spent over a decade running after news for some of the country's leading newspapers and news agencies. However, she now freelances and dishes out free (and often unsolicited) advice to her child and her students. Teaching in an international school in Jaipur these days, she aspires to help those young writers bloom, and yes write her own story too. LESS ... MORE The world is breaking apart. Not in some distant apocalypse or in the hands of a few power drunk global leaders, but here and now in the unmistakable unraveling of our ecosystems, communities, and most tragically, our moral compass. We speak of melting glaciers and violent storms, of poisoned rivers and extinct species, of fractured democracies and rising intolerance. Yet, amidst all these mounting crises, the most damning indictment of humanity may be this: we have failed our children. Not just in war-torn, faraway countries, but right here, in the neighbouring lane lined with dhabas and mechanic shops and in homes, where 14-year-olds are preparing our breakfast while we scroll through injustices in the world. We have built a world where children pick rags before they pick up pencils, where they sleep under flyovers instead of roofs, where they are trafficked, violated, married off, silenced. The very idea that child rights need laws, protections, protocols, and conventions speaks volumes — that a child must fight for what should be guaranteed. This collective failure is not due to a lack of legal architecture. We are surrounded by it. A forest of laws — and a desert of accountability India has, on paper, one of the most comprehensive legal frameworks for child protection. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 reimagines children in conflict with law as needing care and protection. The POCSO Act criminalizes all forms of child sexual abuse, including aggravated assault by persons in positions of trust and power. The Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, especially after the 2016 amendment, bans all forms of child labour below 14 and hazardous labour for adolescents. Each law is the outcome of deep pain and pressure. Each is supposed to mean that a child will not be married off at 13, raped by a teacher, made to clean sewers, or trafficked across borders. Each is a promise. But what happens when those promises aren't kept? Internationally too, our commitments are robust. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), 1989 — ratified by India in 1992 — guarantees protection from economic exploitation, protection from trafficking and sexual abuse, and the right to recovery and reintegration. The ILO Conventions No. 138 and 182 target child labour by specifying minimum ages for work and condemning the worst forms of child labour. Yet, the very existence of these conventions points to the horrific truth: without them, there would be no brakes at all. No lines we're legally bound not to cross. And even with them, too many children remain invisible to the systems designed to protect them. Our legal victories, hard won It is public interest litigation that has often pushed these protections further. A landmark petition by Just Rights for Children (JRC) on the sexual exploitation of children in the online space has brought in some very basic changes in the child pornography or Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitative Material (CSEAM) cases. It makes even downloading or watching child porn in the closed walls of your house is a crime. But the fact that till the petition was filed, the paedophiles could do that clandestinely and without any legal scanner watching them is ironic. In Bachpan Bachao Andolan v. Union of India, the Supreme Court laid down stringent guidelines against the use of child labour in circuses. In Independent Thought v. Union of India, it was clarified that marital rape of a minor is rape — even if she is married. Law has done heavy lifting. But it cannot heal what society continues to break. But this isn't just about laws. It is about conscience. How did we build a world where we needed a Supreme Court judgment to say that a 15-year-old wife deserves the same protection as a 15-year-old unmarried girl? Why does the idea that children should be playing, not working, require activism and litigation? What does it say about us — about our institutions, our governments, our communities — that we could be so organized about exploitation, and so lax about protection? Every rescued child is not a symbol of success — but of the many who weren't saved in time. Real success lies not in rescue, but in prevention. In ensuring a child is never trafficked, never abused, never forced to grow up before her time. That begins with treating children not as passive beneficiaries of adult benevolence, but as rights-holders with agency, dignity, and the full attention of the law. The world cannot afford to mistreat its children and hope to survive. If we do not change the way we value childhood — not just sentimentally, but structurally — then the world we hand over to the next generation will be even more unlivable than the one we inherited. And that, perhaps, will be the cruelest failure of all. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
