As is customary, the President of the Republic, Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan interacted with school students from institutions across Seychelles in a live televised presidential dialogue, to mark the United Nations Universal Children’s Day 2023. This event has been organized by the Office of the President in collaboration with the National Council for Children (NCC).

The question and answer session was moderated by Ms. Chiara Brioche from the Seychelles Business Studies Academy (SBSA).

The event held at State House brought together fifteen students from both public and private schools on Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue.

The exchange with the Head of State was an opportunity for the students to address their concerns and issues as well as asked for his views through questions in different areas such as provision of juvenile or rehabilitation centre for troubled youths, support for students with behaviour issues and for stricter disciplinary measures in schools, latest technological facilities in libraries, his vision for the  young people of Seychelles, climate change, the fight against drug trafficking, the environment, obesity and availability to low price healthy food, education, the cost of fuel, proposed allowance for secondary students, religious beliefs, price of the internet, war and conflict around the world, sports, crime, illegal fishing and access to further studies.

At the end of the dialogue, President Ramkalawan thanked all the students for their participation. As the Head of State, he gave his commitment that under his administration every young people would be protected, and respected. He encouraged them to finish their studies and to aim towards succeeding in life. He urged all of them to continue with the positive values, to remain focused on what is good, and to stay away from bad influences.

Also present at the live dialogue was the First Lady, Mrs. Linda Ramkalawan, Vice President of the Republic, Mr. Ahmed Afif, Minister for Health, Mrs. Peggy Vidot, Minister of Lands and Housing, Mr. Billy Ramgasamy, Minister of Education, Dr. Justin Valentin, Minister for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mrs. Rose Marie Hoareau, Minister for Employment and Social Affairs, Mrs. Patricia Francourt, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Council for Children (NCC), Mrs. Yasmin Umarji, NCC staff, a teacher from La Digue, Ms. Naomie Nibourette and from Praslin Ms. Damien Patcheapen.