Universal Children’s Day - ‘Children are people in their own right’ |20 November 2017

“Children are people in their own right and not merely an extension of ourselves. They deserve the right to live, to be respected, cared for, heard and have access to quality healthcare and education.”

This comes in a message from Shirley Choppy, the chief executive of the Institute of Early Childhood Development (IECD), on the occasion of the Universal Childen’s Day being celebrated today.

The full text of Mrs Choppy’s message reads:

“Established in 1954 by the United Nations, November 20 is Universal Children’s Day. This special day aims to promote togetherness among all parties, awareness among children, and improving children's welfare and development.

“Universal Children’s Day is a day where we honour our children, reflect on what we have done and are doing to protect their rights in order to empower them so that they may go on to lead lives that they value.

“Preserving and promoting children’s rights has come along in leaps and bounds. However, the battle to keep our children safe from all forms of neglect and abuse is still ongoing worldwide. We should not forget that children are people in their own right and not merely an extension of ourselves. They deserve the right to live, to be respected, cared for, heard and have access to quality healthcare and education. 

“Through the third National Action Plan Early Childhood Care and Education 2017-2018, the Institute of Early Childhood Development together with the four main ECCE sectors reaffirms our commitment to provide our young children with the best possible services and head start in life. Initiatives such as the training of childminders, development of profiles, special aids, community facilities, suitability check programme, detection and reporting of child abuse and neglect are ranked very high on the ECCE agenda.

“Abuse suffered by children in the home, school, and community is never acceptable and the onus is on us as parents, family members, acquaintances, caretakers and service providers to protect them. “Growing up with violence and abuse damages the development of a child in terms of their intellectual capacity, dignity, self-esteem, physical and psychological integrity.

“This year’s Universal Children’s Day is dedicated to all the children of the Seychelles and around the world, to keep enjoying their happy-go-lucky years and strengthen them to cope with the responsibilities that await them. Let us pledge to advocate, impart the knowledge, morals and discipline, translating into dialogues and actions that will help protect the now and tomorrow of our country’s future leaders and ensure the continuation of Seychelles as a prosperous nation, and build a better world for the children.”