The President of the Republic, Mr Danny Faure, attended the official launching of the exhibition to commemorate Universal Children’s Day tomorrow, and the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention of the Rights of the Child. The ceremony was held at the National History Museum this morning.

In her opening address, the Chairperson of the National Council for Children (NCC), Ambassador Erna Athanasius, said that since the Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted in 1989, it has inspired changes in all corners of the world, including here in Seychelles. “Millions of children’s lives have improved through the progressive realisation of their rights whilst governments fulfilled obligations enshrined within the Convention. Some even say it has become the gold standard for the supervision, education and raising of children everywhere,” said Ambassador Athanasius.

She highlighted that the Seychelles government has worked tirelessly to champion children’s rights and has made positive achievements in the legislative, policy and strategy areas. It has protected their rights to education, health, a home, and non-discrimination, and safety from violence and exploitation, and harmful work, among others. Ambassador Athanasius stressed on the challenges that lie ahead which need to be addressed to ensure all children can realise their rights.

During the ceremony the Minister for Family Affairs, Mrs Mitcy Larue and the Chairperson for the Committee to support the disabled, Ms Céline Fanchette, signed a pledge of partnership with the NCC to protect the rights of children here and all over the world.

To note, Seychelles was one of the first to ratify this convention in 1989 and through this exhibition, a joint collaboration between the Ministry of Family Affairs, Ministry of Health, the Institute of Early Childhood Development and the National Council for Children, is expected to strengthen the awareness on the rights of children and foster professional exchanges.

The exhibition will be open to the general public until 22 November 2019.