Arab children’s parliament joins child rights summit in Morocco

May 28, 2025 / 9:46 AM

Sharjah24: As part of its ongoing regional and international engagement, the Arab Parliament for the Child (APC) took part in the 17th National Conference on Children’s Rights, held in the Kingdom of Morocco. Organised by the National Observatory for the Rights of the Child under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem, the event marked the 30th anniversary of the Observatory’s founding, and was held under the theme: “Children and contemporary challenges: What roadmap for 2030?”

Arab Parliament for the Child represented by top official

The Arab Parliament for the Child’s delegation was led by the Secretary-General, Ayman Othman Al Barout, , who delivered a speech during the opening session. He conveyed greetings from the Parliament's headquarters in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, and praised Morocco’s leadership, under His Majesty King Mohammed VI, for its commitment to advancing child rights amidst modern social and technological shifts.

Children as active partners in development

Al-Barout emphasised that today’s children are more aware and engaged than ever, enabling them to be active partners in sustainable development rather than passive recipients. He called for meaningful inclusion of children in planning, implementation, and evaluation processes through genuine dialogue platforms that allow them to express their aspirations and challenges.

Key issues on the conference agenda

He also stressed the importance of the conference as a platform for addressing critical issues such as violence against children—particularly online—digital transformation, climate change, inclusive education, mental health, and future skills. These are all subjects previously tackled by the Arab Parliament for the Child as part of its vision to equip young people with 21st-century tools.

Recognition of Morocco’s strong contribution

The Secretary-General praised the Moroccan delegation to the Arab Parliament for the Child, describing it as a “founding and outstanding delegation” known for its active engagement in parliamentary sessions and media presence, and affirmed that it consistently represents Morocco with distinction.

Broad participation and forward-looking discussions

The conference attracted wide participation from government institutions, national and international experts, UN agencies, civil society organisations, and child parliamentarians from across Morocco. Discussions centred on shaping a realistic roadmap for child protection up to 2030 that considers environmental, social, and technological changes.

Children's voices call for action

In a poignant address, child parliamentarian Abeer Bouqataia called on decision-makers to turn children’s rights from aspirations into tangible realities, stressing that children’s voices must not only be heard but also integrated into policy and decision-making.

Ongoing efforts to empower young Arab voices

Coinciding with Morocco’s National Day for Children’s Rights, the conference continues with a series of multidisciplinary participatory workshops aimed at producing practical recommendations to enhance child protection and shape more inclusive and equitable legislation.

Since its establishment in 2019 under the umbrella of the League of Arab States, the Arab Parliament for the Child has worked to empower Arab children in parliamentary engagement, enabling them to express their views and contribute to shaping the future with a strong sense of participation and social responsibility.