UNICEF has named four young Congolese ambassadors, aged 13 to 17, to represent the concerns of children and promote their rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The ambassadors, two girls and two boys, were selected from over 100 candidates from various provinces in the country. They will serve a one-year term, renewable, to contribute to advocacy, awareness, and mobilization efforts in favor of children's rights.
According to John Agbor, UNICEF representative in the DRC, children and young people are not just beneficiaries of their actions, but also actors in their own right. By appointing these four young ambassadors, UNICEF is giving them a platform to express themselves, speak out, and inspire. Their energy and perspective are essential to building a better future for every child in the DRC.
The four young ambassadors will participate in national and local initiatives and events to make heard the concerns of children and adolescents on issues that affect their daily lives and future. They will focus on promoting the rights of adolescent girls and addressing climate change. Dan Lwaya, one of the ambassadors, said that being a UNICEF youth ambassador is a responsibility he takes very seriously, and he wants to be the voice of children who do not have the chance to make themselves heard.
The young ambassadors signed a convention outlining their role and commitment to working alongside UNICEF, in the presence of their legal representatives. The convention aims to strengthen the meaningful participation of children and adolescents in decisions and actions that concern them. This initiative is in line with Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which recognizes every child's right to freely express their opinion on any matter affecting them.
The ambassadors based in Kinshasa met with the UNICEF office teams after the ceremony, and a similar welcome will be organized by the UNICEF office in Kalemie for the young ambassador based in the Tanganyika province. Through this initiative, UNICEF aims to promote children's rights and involve them in decision-making processes that affect their lives.
The four young ambassadors will work to raise awareness about the challenges faced by children in the DRC and to promote solutions to address these issues. They will also engage in activities to promote education, health, and protection of children, particularly girls and vulnerable groups. By amplifying the voices of children, UNICEF hopes to create a more inclusive and child-friendly environment in the country.
Mathy Musau reported on the appointment of the four young ambassadors, highlighting UNICEF's commitment to promoting children's rights in the DRC. The initiative demonstrates the organization's efforts to involve children and adolescents in decision-making processes and to recognize their role as actors in shaping their own future.
Key points
- UNICEF appoints four young ambassadors to promote children's rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
