In coordination between An-Najah University and the Defense for Children International-Palestine Branch, the Ninth National Children’s Conference as launched at the University. The Conference was held at the Martyr Zafer Al-Masri Auditoriums at the Old Campus. Attendees to the opening session included: Mrs. Majeda Al-Masri, Palestinian Minister of Social Affairs, Prof. Rami Hamdallah, President of An-Najah, Mrs. Anan Attireh, Deputy Governor of Nablus, Mrs. Randa Siniora, Chairperson of the Board of Directors at the Defense of Children International (DCI), Mr. Rif’at Qassees, General Manager at the DCI, in addition to representatives of the DCI’s Children’s Council and others.

Prof. Hamdallah delivered a speech in which he addressed the participants and said that the subject of this Conference is of substantial importance since the good children upbringing and welfare is part of the civilized and developed societies. Today’s children are the builders of the future; therefore, they should receive every possible support and help in order to give them a good life.

The President also said that the parents play the main role in the development of their children because they maintain close and daily interaction with them; therefore, they have to provide them with the necessary care and attention so that they grow up in a healthy environment. Encouragement and support are key elements in the development of the child and his well-being.

He also explained that Palestinian children are given special care since the country needs healthy and strong generations to build its institutions and develop its society. There are many laws and regulations in Palestine that are dedicated to the protection of the children’s rights, in addition to various programs that focus on teacher development and training so that children are provided with the best learning opportunities. The child’s development requires suitable environment, whether it is at home, in school or in any place in the society.

Mrs. Al-Masri spoke about the role that the Ministry of Social Affairs plays with respect to social protection which states that every Palestinian citizen should enjoy good life and social well-being. She also called for establishing more coordination and networking between the different institutions that work in the area of children protection and care. Moreover, she shed light on the development of the legal and legislative environment regarding children-related issues, in addition to setting certain plans and mechanisms to address the violations that Palestinian children face because of the Israeli occupation.

Mrs. Attireh described the importance of the Conference and said that its topics are all of significant value especially the part that addresses the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in the Statutes of Specialized Agencies and International Organizations related to the protection of children without discrimination on the basis of gender, race, religion, color, political opinion…etc.

Attireh also said that what the Palestinian Children have faced due to the practices of the Israeli occupation that violates all the rights that are stated in the Declaration has proved that Israel blatantly challenged all the international decisions and laws and has deprived the Palestinian child from his basic rights.

Mr. Qassees said the DCI has worked since its establishment 20 years ago on how to protect and promote children’s rights and make this issue a priority for all institutions working in the filed of child protection and well-being. He added that the DCI’s future commitment includes placing the interest of children on the top of the Palestinian Authority’s priorities. The absence of a clear approach that is based on the rights of children and the absence also of the proper professional reference for children’s rights expose these rights to danger.

Mrs. Siniora said that in light of the many violations toward the Palestinian children by the Israeli army and settlers and the difficult conditions that those children face under occupation, the Conference came to stress the importance of supporting the children’s rights and interests. The Conference also included discussing the reality of the life of the Palestinian children and identifying the challenges that hinder the many steps taken to support them.

Moreover, Mrs. Siniora mentioned that the DCI has achieved substantial steps toward the well-being of children in Palestine. Such achievements included the fact that the DCI managed to expand its work to cover almost all parts of Palestine including Gaza. The DCI also succeeded in providing diverse programs that would contribute tot eh building of Palestinian society that is based on the respect of human rights including the rights of children. Additionally, the DCI was able to bring the issue of child abuse in Palestine to the international community which made people in western countries more aware of the situation in Palestine and the facts on the ground.

On behalf of the Children’ Council at the DCI, Razan Ameen delivered a speech in which she spoke about the violations that have been recorded against the Palestinian children over the last ten years by the Israeli occupation. She also called upon the participants to come up with recommendations and actions to push the case of children welfare and protection of their rights forward regionally, locally and internationally.

The Conference consisted of three sessions on its first day each of which included a number of papers that addressed a variety of issues including: Child justice, juvenile justice in the governmental institution, child protection in armed conflicts, monitoring children’s rights status.

The Conference will continue till Thursday October 27^th.