Organized under the theme “Participation as Means for Enhancing the Effectiveness of Children and Youth Rights,” the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) launched the opening of its pavilion at the second edition of the International Children and Youth Book Fair (SILEJ 2024) on the morning of December 14, 2024, at the “Anfa Park” venue in Casablanca, Morocco. The SILEJ will last until December 22, 2024.
In this context, Mr. Mounir Bensalah, CNDH Secretary-General, reiterated the CNDH’s advocacy for the implementation and institutionalization of the principle of child participation as a fundamental element of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). He stressed the importance of enshrining this principle in legislation to encourage and promote it, aiming to foster a generation of children and youth actively engaged in public affairs. Mr. Bensalah described the CNDH’s participation in this event as an opportunity to interact directly with children and youth, listen to their perspectives, and uphold the principle of participation, a priority issue for the CNDH.
Over nine days, the CNDH pavilion will receive visitors to explore its publications, including child-friendly versions, while proving insights into its mandate and the children’s redress mechanism it hosts. The pavilion will also showcase the CNDH’s approach to working "with children" as vital partners, aligning with the principle of participation.
The "Human Rights Pavilion" will also host a series of open discussions allowing children and youth to express their opinions and interact with stakeholders on issues concerning their rights. Through artistic and cultural workshops, including drawing, theater, and writing, participants will have the opportunity to represent their ideas and concerns.
The CNDH’s program also features discussion groups addressing topics such as public policies for youth, civic participation, opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence, and volunteer work. Meetings with authors and publishers at the CNDH’s pavilion will encourage discussions on writing and publishing as tools for fostering creativity and access to knowledge.
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