BY MORRIS NAFU
Ministry of Children, Youth and Women and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) Permanent Secretary, Cedric Alependava, says children, should be seen as active partners in development, not just passive beneficiaries.
He raised this at the International Children’s Day celebration at the Multipurpose Hall yesterday.
Addressing the gathering on behalf of the Minister and the Ministry, Alependava welcomed attendees and highlighted the event’s dual purpose; to celebrate and reaffirm commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in Solomon Islands.
He referenced UNICEF’s theme for the year, “Listen to the Future for Every Child and Every Right,” stressing the need to protect, nurture, empower, and amplify children’s voices.
“Children are not merely beneficiaries of development, but key partners,” Alependava stated, urging collective efforts to ensure that no child is left behind.
He acknowledged progress since Solomon Islands ratified the UNCRC, including the enactment of the Child and Family Welfare Act, the National Child Policy, and ongoing work by the National Advisory Action Committee on Children.
However, he noted persistent challenges and called for renewed promises to build a safe, dignified society for every child.
Alependava extended thanks to partners such as UNICEF, Save the Children, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the New Zealand Government, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, the Honiara City Council, World Vision, ChildFund New Zealand, the Central Bank of Solomon Islands’ Financial Inclusion initiative, and various NGOs and faith-based organizations for their support in advancing children’s rights.
The event, attended by children and stakeholders, highlighted the importance of children’s well-being as the foundation of the nation’s future.
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Parents are the first teachers of children and children spend most of their time with their parents at home than with teachers at school so to ensure that our children participate in development of our country i believe parents as their first teachers to teach and train their children how they can contribute to the development of our nation