Doha: Global Child Forum, an independent platform for research, dialogue, information and action initiated by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, has ended with an agreement to reinforce the importance and relevance of children’s rights in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena).
It has urged partnerships between academia, business, civil society and government to inspire cross-sector action to continue to raise awareness about child rights.
“Governments, civil society, businesses and academia are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child but we must not lose sight of threats and challenges children face all around the world every day,” said Ambassador Ahmed Benhelli, Deputy Secretary-General. Arab League. “Thanks to the forum, I hope we are taking one step closer to improving children’s rights in Mena,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary-General, Amnesty International.
Badr Jafar, CEO, Crescent Enterprises and Co-Founder of Pearl Initiative, urged the private sector to raise its understanding and awareness of children’s rights and develop capabilities and expertise.
“With every third person in the world being a child under 18, imbedding children’s interests into our business practices is not ornamental, but fundamental,” he said.
“The forum believes that by facilitating partnerships and action, we will create a world where children’s rights are respected and supported by all stakeholders,” said Ulf Karlberg, Chairman of the forum.
The forum also released its first report on children’s rights in the region. It says while a quarter of companies in Mena donate to child rights charities, only 11 percent address child rights issues. ‘Children’s Rights and the Corporate Sector in the Middle East and North Africa’, conducted by the forum and Boston Consulting Group, looked at how 353 listed companies selected from the Forbes 500 Companies in the Arab world list address and report on children’s rights.
The forum was held under the patronage of Queen Silvia and Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, Chairperson, Dubai Healthcare City Authority and International Humanitarian City, and wife of
H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
It hosted action lab sessions on education, employment and entrepreneurship; children’s rights and business principles; children in a digital world; and employees are also parents and caretakers.
The Peninsula
