From April 14 to 19, 2025, Morocco’s National Observatory for Children’s Rights organized a series of exchange visits aimed at strengthening ties between the Moroccan Children’s Parliament and similar institutions across Africa. The initiative was part of a broader effort to enhance South-South cooperation and encourage mutual learning in the field of child advocacy and public participation.
These meetings followed a partnership agreement signed last November with Mohamed Methqal, Ambassador and Director General of the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation. The accord, signed in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem, President of the Observatory, outlined Morocco’s commitment to supporting the Children’s Parliament and expanding its regional impact.
The first stop on the tour was Senegal, where the delegation visited on April 14 and 15. The goal was to showcase Morocco’s trailblazing experience in giving children a structured voice in public life through the Children’s Parliament, an initiative that empowers youth to engage in civic life and champion their rights. Morocco’s Ambassador to Senegal, Hassan Naciri, joined the meetings, which also served as a platform to learn from Senegal’s own progress in institutionalizing youth participation. Discussions were held with key bodies such as the Public Health and Social Affairs Committee of the National Assembly, Senegal’s National Human Rights Commission, and the Ministry of Family and Solidarity.
Senegalese counterparts presented their local models, including children’s municipal councils and ongoing efforts to formalize a national children’s parliament. Together, both sides explored shared challenges—from early marriage and child begging to mental health—highlighting the need for stronger regional cooperation. There was a mutual commitment to work together more closely, particularly around cross-cutting issues affecting children’s rights.
Following the Senegal visit, the Moroccan delegation traveled to Liberia from April 17 to 19, backed by Morocco’s Ambassador to Liberia, Lahoucine Rahmouni. There, the team engaged in dynamic discussions with Liberian child parliamentarians, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and members of the national Child Rights Committee. A highlight of the visit was a keynote address by Professor Ghizlane Benjelloun, Vice President of the Observatory, who stressed the critical importance of early intervention and mental health training in child protection efforts.
Liberian officials voiced strong interest in deepening collaboration with the Moroccan Observatory, signaling a shared desire to boost child-focused initiatives and policy-making across the region.
As the series of meetings wrapped up, leaders in both Senegal and Liberia extended their gratitude to Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem for her unwavering dedication to promoting children’s rights across Africa.
Since its founding in 1999, the Moroccan Children’s Parliament has offered more than 4,000 young people a platform to develop civic values, advocate for their peers, and hone skills in public speaking, advocacy, and entrepreneurship—nurturing a generation of socially engaged leaders.
