- Conference
- 2013 National Black Members' Conference
- Date
- 19 September 2012
- Decision
- Carried
The 16th June is another historic day celebrated all over Africa, this is the day of the African Child.
On the 16th June 1976, thousands of Black school children took to the street of Soweto, South Africa. In a march more than half a mile long, they protested the inferior quality of their education and demanded their right to be taught in their own language.
Hundreds of young boys and girls were shot down by the then apartheid security forces in South Africa. In the two weeks of protest that followed, more than one hundred people were killed and more than a thousand were injured.
To honour the memory of those killed and the courage of all those who marched, the Day of the African Child has been celebrated on 16th June every year since 1991, when it was first initiated by the Organisationof Africa Unity (now the Africa Union).
The Day also draws attention to the lives of Africa children today. This year, the Day focuses on the rights of children with disabilities: the duty to protect, respect, promote and fulfil their dreams.
Global interest in the active involvement of children and youth in schools, community action, media and governance has grown over the past decade or so and this has been stimulated by recognition of children’s and youth citizenship and their rights.
This is not only about the African Child but it is about children all over the world, who still can’t realise their full dreams and potential. Its time we did something to ensure we help to fullfill those aspirations.
It’s also a day children or child activists use to promote and raise awareness about different cultures all over the world.
Conference to help raise awareness about this day in UNISON and in our communities.
We call on the NBMC to:
1)Raise this issue with UNISON’s International Committee and see how we can work with our international partners in South Africa
2)Have a bucket collection at this year conference 2013 and donate to help support the lives of children across Africa through the appropriate agency.
3)Report on the work undertaken at the 2014 conference.