Rabat: The recommendations presented on November 22, before Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem, demonstrate the children’s commitment to contributing to the development of their continent and establishing themselves as a real force for change, according to a press release from the Observatory. The children, representing 20 African countries, formulated concrete recommendations targeting common challenges and issues and focusing on several priority areas.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, with regard to strengthening children’s participation, they called for the integration of the principle of participation into national legislation; investment in training for children to equip them and enable them to become real agents of change; the implementation of pilot actions (listening centers, associations, advisory councils) to promote their participation in decision-making processes; and the integration of children’s rights into educational programs, with the creation of dedicated modules and training
for teachers and educators.

Concerning the focus on quality and inclusive education, they called for greater student participation in curriculum planning and school activities; the development of students’ social and emotional skills; and teacher training in classroom management, educational support, and communication with students.

In terms of health and well-being, the participating child parliamentarians recommended improving access to health and mental health services in schools and communities; raising awareness among families, students, and educators about mental health and well-being through targeted campaigns; and strengthening community support and children’s participation in decisions related to their health.

Regarding the fight against child exploitation and labor, they called for raising awareness among parents and communities about the importance of school and the dangers of child labor; strengthening laws and sanctions against all forms of exploitation, including early marriage, and developin
g an African roadmap for the elimination of child labor and the guarantee of free, accessible, and appropriate education for all.

As for the focus on protecting street children and preventing early marriage, they advocated raising awareness of risks associated with street life and early marriage, particularly among girls; strengthening the capacity of professionals and authorities to detect, report, and protect vulnerable children; improving safety around schools; and harmonizing the legal framework to prohibit the marriage of minors.

The recommendations made by the child parliamentarians will serve to guide ONDE’s collaboration with the African countries with which cooperation agreements were signed during the Forum, namely Burundi, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Liberia, Malawi, Senegal, and Sierra Leone.

These protocols give concrete form to the exchanges that took place during ONDE’s experience-sharing missions throughout 2025 and aim to strengthen continental cooperation on children’s rights and participation,
conduct joint advocacy actions to consolidate national frameworks for child participation, and support the training of actors and child parliamentarians on good practices.

They include the organization of training sessions, seminars, and technical workshops on topics of common interest; the regular exchange of information, statistical data, and expertise; technical support to signatory countries, particularly for the training of child parliamentarians and their supervisors; and raising public awareness of children’s rights, protection against all forms of violence, and the promotion of education.

In addition to the recommendations made by child parliamentarians and the signing of the convention protocols, it should be noted that the 1st African Forum of Children’s Parliaments was marked by the approval of a final declaration entitled “Rabat Declaration on Children’s Participation in Africa’s Development.”

The creation of the African Network for Children’s Rights as a continental platform for advocacy and e
ffective participation of children, with its headquarters in Rabat, was another highlight of the Forum, which brought together over 170 high-level officials, including ministers and presidents of African parliaments.

The scale, quality of programming, and richness of exchanges at this first edition of the African Children’s Parliament Forum confirm the commitment of ONDE and its partners to building ambitious continental initiatives capable of offering every African child a future in which they are listened to, protected, valued, and recognized as agents of change and builders of peace, the press release concludes.