Liberian Children take to the airwaves on International Children’s Day of Broadcasting


Reading time 2 min.
Liberian Children take to the airwaves on International Children’s Day of Broadcasting

Amidst a celebratory atmosphere and fanfare, over 60 Liberian children took over UNMIL Radio airwaves on this year’s International Children’s Day of Broadcasting (ICDB) under the theme “All Rights, All Children”. Children commandeered 10 hours of programming broad issues, including rights, hopes and dreams. Celebrated every first Sunday of March, this year’s ICDB also marked the 20th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

In informal remarks during an interactive session, Deputy Envoy Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu encouraged the gathering of children from schools and communities around the country to keep learning, “as this is the most important way to develop full potential.”

Ms. Mensa-Bonsu emphasized the importance of education and said that the continuous search for knowledge would take the young broadcasters to the highest heights. “Learning is about growing and all young people should learn to grow in mind and spirit,” she said.

Ms. Mensa-Bonsu acknowledged the children’s spontaneous declarations of their dreams and aspirations and urged them ?not to be frightened by the thought of doing what you have never done before.?

For her part, UNICEF Country Representative, Ms. Isabel Crowley, said that children are increasingly challenging world leaders to put children’s rights at the heart of their work and that this occasion empowered them to speak their minds to adults.

Ms. Crowley pointed out that children in Liberia have a high chance of dying before the age of 5 and that a disproportionate number of girls of primary school-going age are out of school. She called for more efforts to provide children with opportunities to grow and attain their full development potential.

In keeping with past such events, the children produced all the radio programs and activities from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.in efforts to recognize their rights to participation and expression as an integral part of adolescent development. Under the guidance of radio technicians and producers, they served as presenters, producers, reporters, and duty-continuity announcers.

International Children’s Day of Broadcasting (ICDB) has been celebrated for over 15 years. Approximately 2,500 TV and radio stations in 170 countries supported this day with programming for and by children.

Source: Mission of UN in Liberia

Liberia  Read latest news and features from Liberia : business, politics, culture, life & style, entertainment and sports
Support Follow Afrik-News on Google News