For the younger generation to successfully occupy positions of leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs in the national and regional economies it is extremely important to invest in their education and develop skills that meet the requirements of the 21st century.
Mr. Arthur van Diesen, UNICEF Representative in Tajikistan, remarked this while opening the week (June 20-26) dedicated to a series of activities to advocate for the full realization of every right for every child in Tajikistan.
At the same time, he expressed concern about the current problems and challenges facing children in the modern world.
Mr. van Diesen emphasized that there is no country in the world where all rights are realized for every child and Tajikistan is no exception in this regard. “This is in part because new challenges for children are appearing – the world which we are passing on to our next generation is one in which poly-crises, including war and the damaging effects of climate change could see reverses in the hard-won gains of the last decades for children,” UNICEF Representative in Tajikistan noted.
He further noted that too often, decisions are made without sufficient attention to engaging children and young people and “UNICEF wishes to highlight once more the importance of doing so.”
During the week of November 20 to November 26, UNICEF together with the Government of Tajikistan and partners are organizing a series of events to advocate for the full realization of every right for every child in Tajikistan, including:
• Youth-led dialogues focusing on climate change, skills, inclusiveness, mental health and good nutrition, bringing together experts, government representatives, heads of international organizations, international financial institutions, and private sector CEOs with more than 50 young people aged 14-24 to discuss and deliver a set of key messages in the form of youth recommendations to key decision-makers in the country.
• Youth-led public radio talks on climate change and mental health to raise awareness and discuss issues that matter to them.
• Football tournament with the Tajik Football Federation in Tursunzoda to engage children and young people and raise awareness of key child rights issues in Tajikistan.
• Lighting buildings blue in the cities of Dushanbe, Khujand and Bokhtar to show support and help children reimagine a better future.
• Presentation of a children's play by the "Lukhtak Puppet Theatre", written by children and young people, focusing on the prevention of bullying and stigmatization of children with disabilities.
• Launch of online Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) e-learning courses in 50 schools to promote awareness of child rights.
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. UNICEF operates in Tajikistan since 1993.
