(Monrovia, Liberia – September 1, 2024), The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in collaboration with the National Children Representative Forum and partners will host a one-day Children’s Conference on Monday, September 2, 2024, in Monrovia. This significant event brings together 80 children, aged 10-17, from diverse backgrounds across Liberia, including both rural and urban areas, to ensure representation and gender parity. The conference will also include children living with disabilities, ensuring an inclusive and comprehensive approach to youth participation.
The Children’s Conference aims to achieve two core objectives:
• Integration of Children’s Perspectives: Ensuring that the voices of Liberian children are effectively integrated into global efforts to build a better future for every child.
• Empowerment and Preparation: Equipping children’s delegates with the necessary skills and information to represent their peers effectively at the Summit of the Future.
The conference will provide a unique platform for children to actively contribute to shaping Liberia’s future. Participants will have the opportunity to express their concerns, share ideas, and propose solutions to both community and national challenges. The insights gathered will play a crucial role in informing Liberia’s position and messaging for the upcoming Summit of the Future in September 2024.
The Summit of the Future presents a historic opportunity to address global challenges, strengthen international cooperation, and improve lives worldwide. It aims to reaffirm commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Charter while promoting a more effective multilateral system. Liberia is committed to ensuring that the perspectives of its children are integrated into these global efforts.
The conference is aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which explicitly recognizes the participation rights of children, irrespective of race, color, sex, language, religion, disability, or other status. The Liberia Children’s Forum, which comprises of children from all 15 counties, serves as a national platform for Children in Liberia to voice their perspectives on their future, particularly in decisions affecting their protection and well-being.
The Children’s Conference is expected to further reinforce Liberia’s commitment to creating safe spaces for children to express their views on issues that impact them. At this conference, the children’s aspirations, opinions, and concerns will contribute to shaping a more inclusive and child-centered approach to tackling global challenges.
We look forward to welcoming our young participants, stakeholders, and partners to this important event. Together, we will ensure that the voices of Liberia’s children resonate both nationally and internationally.
For media inquiries, please contact:
The Communication Unit
Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection
