A 12 year Niyonshima Rebecca, a child of Kicukiro District, said: “If all decisions took account of children’s views, we would have better and more effective services. I am happy that currently children are having the opportunity to have their say in national programs”.

Niyonshima like other children said this during the grassroots consultative meetings (pre-summits) organized as part of the 9th National Children’s Summit at every Village, Cell, Sector and Districts level which ended on 2nd December. These meetings are envisaged as a catalyst and facilitator to stimulate children participation efforts at every level of local administration.

During the consultative meetings children understood the definition of "self reliance" in their context, and were able to discuss and express their views. They exchanged information on activities foreseen in 2014 in light of the preparation of CRC 25 year’s anniversary linking it to the Integrated Children Rights Policy 7 thematic areas (education, justice, participation, identity and nationality, family and alternative care, protection, survival, health and standard of living).

Some of the overviews presented by children underlined the importance of teaching children "child friendly approaches" of how to be self reliant specifically increase awareness of household on how to support children in every stage of growth and development, develop a better understanding of children roles; strengthen national institutions to support self reliance in children, implement and monitor policies in respect of families; stimulate efforts to respond to problems affecting , and affected by, the situation of children in families; and enhance the effectiveness of local and national efforts to carry out specific programmes concerning children and self reliance.

Children views resulted from the pre-summit meetings are being compiled and will be presented during the national summit proceedings.

Keep up with us for more info on the 9th National Children Summit.

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