Adolescents and young people groups got an opportunity to share their perspectives and views on the work they are doing, challenges they face and issues they want to highlight in presence of senior Government officials, civil society and Dia Mirza celebrity advocate for UNICEF. She was especially in the city to mark the two events which were part of the celebrations.
Speaking at the event she spoke on engaging young and who youth can make a difference, She said that it is important to recognise one’s own skills and potential. She said that she was impressed with the youth groups and children groups who made presentation here. Be it volunteers of ANSH, change loomers, groups of children from Muskan, Eka and Aarambh which presented the issues they face in Bhopal, children groups from Harda and Indore who had helped their areas becoming open defection free. She congratulated UNICEF and its staff for the tireless work they are doing. She talked about empowerment of child, importance of education, child rights.
Michael Juma Chief UNICEF, Madhya Pradesh said, “It is a very special and important day as we celebrate 70 years of commitment by governments across the world to put children at the centre of our work. The achievements we celebrate today were only made possible because of the courageous, fearless advocates and committed people working and government to reach the most vulnerable children, in the most deprived areas. These are significant strides to be celebrated; however, many children are still socially excluded and deprived of their rights. We must re-commit ourselves to ensure that all children are fairly treated and living free from violence and exploitation.”
Nirmala Buch, President Child Rights Observatory congratulated UNICEF for its work and said that it is important that children know their rights, speak on the issues that impact them and it is duty of us and State to make sure that they get their due. She spoke on empowering girls and women. She said that Child Rights Observatory stands with children and will pick up issues which matter to them and will strongly advocate for their rights.
JN Kansotia, Principal Secretary Department of Women and Child Development said about the efforts being taken by the State for benefit of children, various schemes which State had initiated and praised on the support being extended by UNICEF. He also passed on greetings on behalf of Chief Secretary of the State for the event.
Hemvati Varman, State Programme Officer, Swacchh Bharat Mission said that State is committed to make it open defecation free. She said that to make it happen, we need support of young people and children like you and examples of Harda, Indore can be replicated.
Kafila an initiative of ANSH happiness society presented a play on child rights covering survival, protection, education, sanitation and child nutrition. later, in evening Dia Mirza inaugurated the photo exhibition of Sports for Development. Sports for Development is project of Department of School Education being implemented in 1000 schools with support of UNICEF. Photographs were taken by youth photographers of ANSH.
Sanskar, Shivangi, Disha, Varun had taken photographs while Kokila had drawn the illustrations. Principal Secretary Health and family Welfare Gauri Singh, Commissioner Rajya Shiksha Kendra Deepti Gaur Mukherjhee, Commission Sports and Youth Affairs Sachin Sinha were present at the occasion to motivate youth photographers.