Sheikh Hamdan opens MENA conference on Children and Youth

Speaking on the occasion, Qassim Sultan, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said children and youth in the MENA countries face major challenges, the most important among them being education, health care, food safety, recreation and awareness.

"It is necessary to pursue the global consensus in this regard, which underlines the fact that each child in the world has right to grow, education, enjoy health, safety and respect, their rights guaranteed, and protection from all social and economic dangers," he said.

He noted that the population of the MENA region is 330 million now, of which at least half are children and youth. "Taking this into consideration, we should start concentrating on this segment of the society, as they represent a major section of our society. They are the most vulnerable category as they have to face the hazards of epidemics, famine, wars, economic and social exploitation and the natural calamities," he noted.

Sultan said the UAE has devoted efforts and attention to children and youth who were provided with opportunities for education, health and social care at par with other sections of the society. According to the constitution of the UAE, children under fifteen should not be allowed to work and all their rights should be taken care of. Based on this, a number of schools and hospitals, various health care institutions and many types of clubs were established to cater to children and youth and those with special needs. The UAE has also signed the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1999.

He expressed hope that the conference would come out with a clear and comprehensive strategy and a declaration that give a boost to children's rights. "My hope is that this event would ultimately pave way for progress and means of growth for as well as ways of protecting children and youth in the field of education, culture and recreation in order to accomplish our aspirations for the future generation," he said.

Also speaking on the occasion, Bruno Musso, President of MedChild Institute, said Children's rights are a prerequisite of equity and justice, essential for any builder of peace and for any meeting between cultures, peoples and religions.
"But our commitment goes beyond these normative rights. Any child wants for care and love, this is their most urgent wish and need and this cannot be given on the basis only on "rights" because love cannot be a duty. Love exceeds our notions of rights and duties and can only be given voluntarily and freely: we will try to obtain this high level of commitment," he said.

Abdulla Al Ali Al Nuaim, Chairman of Board of Trustees and President of the Arab Urban Development Institute, also speaking on the occasion, said the conference would come up with initiatives and projects that bring about more care and protection for children and youth. "I would like to stress here the important role of local authorities in caring for youth and children, fulfilling their needs so as to offer them a decent life," he said.

Sheikh Hamdan then opened an exhibition, organized as part of the conference under the title "Generations", that showcases the services of the UAE government and establishments that support children and youth in the country. As part of the exhibition, there are several live workshops for children and youth where they demonstrate their varied talents and the innovative educational methods used in the UAE schools. It highlights how they learn through practice not just through theories. The exhibition also includes a children and youth gallery that showcases paintings and handicrafts and various artwork made by them.