Written by Abdulai Bunduka, Information and Communications Officer, Save the Children Sierra Leone
With the ever-growing determination to ensure that their voices are heard and issues affecting them are captured in the new global development agenda -the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the post 2015 National Development Agenda, children’s groups from across Sierra Leone, led by the Children’s Forum Network (CFN) have successfully organized the first National Children’s Summit. The summit which was meant to be the highpoint of this year’s Race for Survival became a breakthrough moment for child participation in Sierra Leone. It was really amazing to see children self-confidently engaging and demanding accountability from their leaders with issues related to Protection, Education, Health, investment in them and above all Child Rights Governance.
The First Lady, Sia Nyama Koroma who also represented her husband, President Ernest Bai Koroma (expected to attend the summit), the Second Lady, Jonta Foh (Wife of the Vice President), representatives from Government Ministries (Health, Education, Social Welfare, Finance & Planning), Parliamentarians, Media, Civil Society, representatives from INGOs and members of donor community and diplomatic corps were all present to respond to the concerns of the children.
“I’m very pleased to be part of such an initiative led by children. I’m so proud to be here today for this brilliant and innovative event, the First National Children’s Summit”.My being here today is to show my support…” said the First Lady in her keynote speech. Several other stakeholders did not only respond positively and make commitments to the key asks by the children, but also expressed their admiration for their initiative. While thanking the organizers, a representative from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development described the summit as “a noble event”.
Representative from the Health Ministry assured the children that everyone was listening to their concerns including His Excellency the President (perhaps through his ministers and/or the excellent media attention the summit received). But more importantly she said the Ministry is also advocating for a continuation of Free Healthcare for Pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children under the age of five.
Happy and satisfied with the outcome of the summit, our Director of Advocacy and Communications, Kadi Jumu, had this to say, “The summit was a huge success and a big Niche for Save the Children, so we need to ensure we copyright /patent it as our signature advocacy platform with the children in Sierra Leone before it is hijacked from us”. Indeed it was a huge success and everyone is applauding Save the Children for supporting this kind of child led advocacy innovation for children in Sierra Leone. “You all are here today because someone believed in you; because someone gave you the opportunity to be what you want to be. Giving every child this kind of opportunity doesn’t just transform their lives, it transforms their families, their communities, and their entire country, First Lady, Sia Nyama Koroma.
We are very hopeful that issues and concerns raised by the children at the summit would be duly considered in the country’ post 2015 development agenda.
Read the Children's Vision statement here.
