Listening to the Future- UN Liberia celebrates World Children's Day

“We the children are not just the future; we are also the present”. Poignant words from students of the SOS Hermann International School in Monrovia, at the World Children’s Day commemoration.

This year’s event, held with the theme “Listen to the Future” was in collaboration with the government of Liberia on November 20th at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Monrovia. It was attended by a diverse student population from various institutions in and around Monrovia. The United Nations family, international organizations, development partners, civil society, government, amongst others were also in attendance. 

In welcome remarks, Deputy Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Mr. Frederick Cooper, emphasized the importance of listening to children. “When we listen, we enable children to know that their voices matter. By nurturing an environment where children feel heard, you are nurturing the future generation.”

The government also reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring children recognize their full potential.  Deputy Minister Cooper stated, “listening to children is not just an obligation but a responsibility to support and amplify their voices. Let them lead, innovate and inspire change.”

Roberto Cooper Jr., Liberia’s Children 's Forum Speaker further noted during his remarks that World’s Children Day is “ a day we sit to discuss what affects us and come up with solutions. The future has a lot to give us. This day is not just a commemoration but a call to action to reaffirm commitment- a commitment that all children’s voices are heard and respected. “

A highpoint of the event was a Tedtalk in which the children presented discussions on various issues affecting them, including protection, child’s rights, education, health, amongst others. 

Alicia Samuels, 6th Grade, from the Kingdom Heritage Model School spoke on child's rights. She stressed that children need to be protected and provided for to deliver their full potential.  She also spoke on the need for access to basic needs, the right to development, right to protection and participation. “These rights are enshrined in international agreements and must be implemented”, she noted. 

Students from Aware International School also spoke on the dangers of child labor and how it affects children.

Student Sali Barr spoke on challenges faced by students with disabilities - lack of inclusive schools; less learning materials; lack of sign language interpreters; lack of text for visually impaired and the difficulties in accessing higher education. 

Discussions on climate change and how it affects children- the severe impact on children including health risks, malnutrition risk, mental psychological effects and even death, were also presented.

Rounding up the discussions, UNICEF Country Representative Andy Brooks presented on the situation of children in Liberia. He noted improvement in certain areas like birth registration but highlighted some slow progress in areas of education, WASH and nutrition. 

He however noted, “The new national development plan fills me with hope.  It has a lot of recommendations on how to make the life of children better in Liberia”. 

The programme also included a panel discussion on commitments from Government and partners that were made during the year. The panel comprised of the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Madame Christine Umutoni, who highlighted the UN Secretary General’s message on World Children’s Day- noting the recently adopted Pact of the Future and Declarations on Future Generations. She also noted some of the realizations of the commitment from the UN, including the support to the participation of Liberian children at the recently held Summit of the Future in New York. She also noted that Liberia was one of the few countries that actually sent children as delegates.

Intersperse with singing and dancing from the children, the end of the event left a common mantra stuck in the minds of the young audience - “Whatever we do for children, let’s do it with them”. 

World Children's Day on 20 November is UN's global day for children, by children. It marks the anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and serves as a call to action for schools, communities, and institutions to engage with and support children.