Luxembourg's Ministry of Education, Children and Youth and the Ombudsman for Children and Youth (OKaJu) have announced that the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Dr Najat Maalla M'jid, will visit the Grand Duchy from Tuesday 17 to Friday 20 October 2023.
One of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is to "end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children" by 2030.
A paediatrician and renowned expert in her field, Dr M'jid travels the world to demand the right of every child to live free from all forms of violence. Her work includes raising awareness and mobilising key stakeholders as well as promoting social and behavioural changes.
During her upcoming visit to Luxembourg, Dr M'jid will attend a children's rights information and educational material fair, which is taking place at the Hémicycle in Luxembourg-Kirchberg on Tuesday 17 October 2023 from 14:00 to 17:30. This event, organised by the Education Ministry in collaboration with OKaJu and UNICEF, is aimed at staff in the formal education and non-formal education sectors as well as the child and family support sector and anyone else who is interested in the subject.
Different organisations and institutions will present their services as well as educational materials and information and awareness tools. Workshops and educational projects on child and youth protection concepts are also on the agenda.
The fair will be followed by a thematic conference on the concepts of child protection with interventions by Dr M'jid as well as Sally Proudlove, Child Safeguarding Policy Specialist at UNICEF. Further details about the fair and conference are available (in French) at https://portal.education.lu/kannerrechter.
During her stay in the Grand Duchy, Dr M'jid will also meet with the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, young people and representatives of youth organisations, political leaders, representatives of state institutions and non-governmental organisations working in the fields of defence, safeguarding and promoting children's rights and child protection.
