UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations
General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to
help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach
their full potential. To this end - and to help commemorate the Day
of the African Child on 16 June - UNICEF Angola supported INAC in the first
Angolan Children's Parliament, held at the National Assembly from 14-16
June in Luanda. 287 girl & boy deputies, 10-17 years of age, represented
all Angolan provinces by participating in plenary sessions, working groups
& parliamentary caucuses.
During the Parliament, the children
discussed and debated important issues related to Angolan children and
suggested solutions under the theme, "Together We Design Our Future".
Discussion in both the plenary sessions and caucuses centered on:
Education; Health & Environment; Protection & Justice; and, Sports
& Leisure. The child deputies were also given the opportunity - with
national media coverage - to question government ministers and representatives
on these and other issues. The following are some of the recommendations
put forward by the Angolan child delegates:
1. Education: considered by the children as the most important factor in their development, the deputies proposed that: schooling be provided to all Angolan children; teachers be carefully selected and then receive adequate salaries; school manuals be provided free of charge; and, low-income families should have equal access to school books, uniforms and other education materials.
2. Health: funds and programs must be available to help reduce both Angola's under 5 years of age and maternal mortality rates; Angolan hospitals must be adequately equipped and accessible to all; health sector corruption must be fought; and, general public health awareness must be improved.
3. Child Protection: there is an urgent need to establish the juvenile court and to properly deal with child offenders; the national plan against the commercial exploitation of children must be implemented; there is a need to strengthen reporting mechanisms regarding the violation of children's rights; and, laws should be implemented to protect children working in private homes.
4. Culture: national cultural values must be promoted in a manner understandable by children and the biased promotion of other cultures avoided, as this may undermine Angola's cultural identity.
5. Sports: schools and local communities need to be directed as to how to engage children in appropriate and positive after-school activities such as competitive individual and team sports.
6. Leisure: there is a need to re-start the Children's Camping program to allow children to experience the different environments, cultures and customs of the diverse regions of Angola.
In his speech marking the conclusion of the Parliament, UNICEF Representative Anthony Bloomberg emphasized the need for adults to bear in mind the children's recommendations.
For more information about UNICEF Angola, please contact Kent Page or Jose Luis Mendonca at 2442-331-010.
For more information on UNICEF, visit its website at http://www.unicef.org