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Day of the African Child
’The Day of the African Child (DAC) is commemorated every year on 16 June by
Member States of the African Union (AU), and its Partners (in accordance with
Resolution CM/Res.1290 (XL)). This occasion is firstly a commemoration to recall the
1976 uprisings in Soweto, when a protest by school children in South Africa against
apartheid-inspired education resulted in the public killing of these unarmed young
protesters by police officials. The DAC further presents an opportunity to focus on the
work of all actors committed to the rights of children on the continent, to consolidate their
efforts in addressing the obstacles for realizing these rights. The DAC also provides an
occasion for Governments, International Institutions and Communities to renew their ongoing commitments towards improving the plight of marginalized and particularly
vulnerable children by organizing activities aimed at including these specific children.’
(Source: ACERWC, Concept Note for the DAC 16 June 2012)
Theme of the 22nd Day of the African Child
The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC)
has identified the theme , “The Rights of Children with Disabilities: The Duty to
Protect, Respect, Promote and Fulfil” for the commemoration of the 22nd Day of the
African Child in 2012.
This DAC 2012 event addresses the key challenges that children with disabilities face
today:
1) Ensuring the wellbeing of children with disabilities:
We strongly believe that neglect of the vital task of ensuring all rounded development
and wellbeing of children with disabilities would in the medium to longer term eventuate
not only in significant continental deficit in human capital but also in social instability.
Ultimately, this can significantly retard accelerated social and economic development.
2) Social attitudes, stigma and discrimination towards children with disabilities:
‘The harmful impacts of discrimination can be profound, denying children with
disabilities access to education and health care, opportunities for play and culture,
family life, protection from violence, an adequate standard of living, the right to be
heard, and can corrode their self-esteem and self-confidence.’ (ACERWC 2012)
3) Access to education : ‘Even in some countries that are closer to achieving the goal
of universal primary education, children with disabilities represent the majority of
those who are excluded.’ (ACERWC 2012)
4) Creating Social Spaces: African Children with disabilities have no special social
spaces where they share their experiences and different artistic & literary talents
among themselves. A forum needs to be designed to share their concerns to various
stakeholders.
5) The Day of the African Child: The majority of African children have no enough
awareness about the existence of this important day and its purpose.
Objective of the DAC 2012
The purpose of the event is to celebrate the Day of the African Child and draw attention
to the lives of children with disabilities today. It also aims to raise awareness about 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 marginalisation
and/ or violence.
The DAC 2012 also will help to create awareness on the importance of involving
children with disabilities in their own issues and promote togetherness among
children from different African countries. The event is to become the source of
positive communication for children from different African children, their teachers,
parents, the NGO community and other stakeholders by the way of learning more about
the important social issues affecting children with disabilities.
Activities
1. Pan- African Inter-School Competition
Date: Thursday 14 June 2012
Venue: ECA
Competition categories
1. Quiz Contest
2. Short story/poetry
3. Art
Contestants: Children from different African Countries:
Quiz Masters
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Professor Tilahun Teshome: Addis Ababa University
Ato Ayalneh Mulatu, Ethiopian Poet and Writer
Mr. Jumbe Subunya, From ChildFund International Africa Region
Mr. Anthony Mwangi; from UNICEF
Ato Amanuel Teferi, from Plan International Ethiopia
Ms. Samrawit Yitayehu, FENAD
Winners of the Pan African School Competition
Literature Contest
In the Middle School Category
1.
James Risaki Lenomotina
from Kenya
2.
Nitsuh Daniel
from Assai Public School
3.
Surafel Yimam
from Macmillan Academy
The Awards will be handed over by : Artist Ayalneh Mulat, Ethiopian writer
In the High School Category
1. Jane Njeere Wanjiru, from Kenya
2. Kalkidan Tadesse , Ethio Parents’s School
3. Melat Nigussie, from Dandi Boru School and Birhanu Tadesse from Yeneta
Academy
4.
Special Award for Literature: Rediet Haile
The Awards will be handed over by Mr. Jumbe Subunya, from ChildFund
International
The Quiz Contest
In the Middle School Category
1.
Ayantu Mesfin from Ethio Parents’ School
2.
Addis Miraf
from Fountain of Knowledge School
In the High School Category
1.
2.
Gelila Getachew from Future Talent Academy
Hanna Iyassu from Fountain of Knowledge School The Awards will be
handed over by Professor Tilahun Teshome, Addis Ababa University
Art Contest
1.
2.
3.
Addis Miraf from Fountain of Knowledge School
Natan Yohannes from Addis International Academy
Yabsira Solomon from Alpha Keranyo School
The Awards will be handed over by Artist Luelseged Retta
2. Official Opening Ceremony: Friday: 15 June 2012:
Venue: African Union Premises
Speakers
Friday, 15 June 2012 at the African Union
1. H.E Mr. Assefa Kesito , Special Advisor to the President of Ethiopia
2. H.E Mrs. Frenesh Mukuria, State Minister of Women, Children and Youth Affairs
3. H.E Dr Olawale I. Maiyegun , Director of Social Affairs of the African Union
Commission
4. Professor Julia Sloth– Nielson, Member of the African Committee of Experts on
the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
5. H.E. Dr. Tekestebirhan Admasu , State Minister of Health of Ethiopia
6. Artist Chachi Tadesse, Co-organizer of the DAC 2012
7. Mr. Anteneh Belay, Co-organizer of the DAC 2012
8. Mr. Isam Ghanim, Executive Vice President, ChildFund International
9. Mr. David Throp , Country Director of Plan International Ethiopia
In Attendance were
1. UN Representatives
2. International Agencies
3. NGOs
4. Government Offices
5. Civil Society representatives
6. Children
7. The media
Other Activities on the DAC Theme
DAC 2012 Magazine:
There will be a special magazine to be produced and it will be distributed to all
stakeholders, schools after the event .
Exhibition
Exhibitors include International and local NGOs, Government offices and schools.
3. The Award and Closing Banquet at the African Union
There will be an Award and Closing Banquet at the premises of the Embassy of South
Africa on 16 June 2012. Distinguished guests and supporters of the event will be
attending and awards will be given to children and collaborators.
Speakers
1. Advocate Bience Gawanas, Commissioner of Social Affairs of the African
Union Commission
2. Maj. Gen. LC Pepani, Ambassador of South Africa to Ethiopia
3. Mr. David Throp , Country Director of Plan International Ethiopia
4. Artist Chachi Tadesse, Co-organizer of the DAC 2012
5. Mr. Anteneh Belay, Co-organizer of the DAC 2012
6. Ato Alemayehu Teferi, President, Federation of Ethiopian National
Associations of Persons with Disabilities
Advocate Bience Gawanas, Commissioner of Social
Affairs of the African Union Commission
Maj. Gen. LC Pepani, Ambassador of South
Africa to Ethiopia
Awards were handed over by
1. H.E Mr. Assefa Kesito , Special Advisor to the President of Ethiopia
2. Professor Tilahun Teshome, Addis Ababa University , Faculty of Law
3. Artist Ayaleneh Mulutau, Ethiopian Play writer
4. Artist Luelseged Retta, Ethiopian painter
5. Mr. Jumbe Sebunya, Regional Director East/Southern Africa, ChildFund
International Africa Region
Winners of the Pan African School Competition
Literature Contest
In the Middle School Category
1.
James Risaki Lenomotina
from Kenya
2.
Nitsuh Daniel
from Assai Public School
3.
Surafel Yimam
from Macmillan Academy
The Awards will be handed over by : Artist Ayalneh Mulat, Ethiopian writer
In the High School Category
1. Jane Njeere Wanjiru, from Kenya
2. Kalkidan Tadesse , Ethio Parents’s School
3. Melat Nigussie, from Dandi Boru School and Birhanu Tadesse from Yeneta
Academy
4.
Special Award for Literature: Rediet Haile
The Awards will be handed over by Mr. Jumbe Subunya, from ChildFund
International
The Quiz Contest
In the Middle School Category
1.
2.
Ayantu Mesfin from Ethio Parents’ School
Addis Miraf
from Fountan of Knowledge School
In the High School Category
1.
Gelila Getachew from Future Talent Academy
2.
Hanna Iyassu from Fountain of
Knowledge School The Awards will be handed over
by Professor Tilahun Teshome Art Contest
1.
2.
3.
Addis Miraf from Fountain of Knowledge School
Natan Yohannes from Addis International Academy
Yabsira Solomon from Alpha Keranyo School
The Awards will be handed over by Artist Luelseged Retta
Collaborators
1. Advocate Bience Gawanas, Commissioner of Social Affairs, the African Union
Commission
2. African Committee of experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
3. UNICEF, Public Affairs Manager to the AU and UNECA, Anthony Mwangi
4. UNICEF, Chief of Communication; Dr. Kerida McDonald
5. Ms. Samrawit Yitayehu, FENAD
The Awards will be handed over by Mr. Assefa Kesito, Special Advisor of the
President of Ethiopia
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Ato Assefa Kesito, Special Advisor to the President of Ethiopia
Plan International Ethiopia
ChildFund International, Africa Region
African Medical and Research Foundation
America World Adoption
ENGINE
Family Guidance Association
Guts Agro Industry