The Program aims to create a qualitative shift in understanding and raising awareness about child rights through a variety of awareness and educational pillars targeting all relevant groups. It seeks to promote awareness of child rights in line with national and international charters and legislations, enhance protection from all forms of abuse and violence, strengthen children’s national identity, and foster a sense of responsibility towards their country.
Furthermore, the Program focuses on educating students, parents, and teachers on how to prevent all forms of bullying, promoting a culture of tolerance and mutual respect in school and social environments, and offering workshops and awareness lectures to parents on positive parenting and addressing modern childhood challenges.
Additionally, the Program equips educators and social workers with the necessary skills and tools to protect child rights and foster a safe, sustainable environment for growth and learning. It includes interactive activities and workshops for children to teach them about their rights in innovative ways suited to their ages and aspirations.
Moreover, it emphasizes unifying efforts between government entities and civil society organizations to achieve a shared vision of protecting and promoting children’s rights.
In her keynote speech, Her Highness Dr. Muna bint Fahd Al Said, Chairperson of the Children First Association, highlighted the Program’s importance as part of national efforts to protect children and reinforce their identity and sense of belonging. She noted that the Association seeks through this Program to provide an educational and cultural environment that supports child development based on global standards, stressing that awareness of child rights is not limited to government institutions but requires the participation of society as a whole.
She added that the implementation of this Program reflects the shared vision and goals of the Association and the Commission, aiming to nurture childhood, instill authentic Omani national values, and enhance the necessary means of child protection amid societal and global changes and their impact on individual and social behaviors, particularly among youth. This initiative meets aspirations to instill ethical values and human principles in children and confirms the commitment of both the Commission and the Association to establishing a framework for joint coordination and cooperation, which contributes to strengthening human rights. This collaboration includes sharing knowledge, such as data, statistics, visits, training Programs, and organizing joint events and conferences.
Professor Rashid bin Hamad Al Balushi, Chairperson of Oman Human Rights Commission, emphasized in his speech that protecting children is a shared responsibility requiring continuous efforts across various sectors. He noted that the Commission enhances mechanisms to protect children from violence and exploitation through awareness programs, legal consultations, and handling complaints related to child rights violations. He further explained that protecting child rights and instilling values of belonging and citizenship is a national and humanitarian duty requiring ongoing collaboration between government authorities, national organizations, and civil society institutions to ensure a safe, supportive environment for children’s physical, psychological, social, and educational development. Over the past years, Oman Human Rights Commission has launched several awareness initiatives in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, delivering lectures to students in public, private, and international schools across Oman and organizing training workshops for teachers and specialists to strengthen their capacities in child rights. These efforts extended to summer programs organized by the Ministry, actively involving the Commission in making the most of children’s time.
This Awareness Program aligns with Oman Vision 2040, which prioritizes the “Human and Society” axis, focusing on enhancing national identity and active citizenship. Oman Human Rights Commission has been entrusted with embedding these values in younger generations, introducing them to their rights and responsibilities, and fostering responsible citizenship to build a strong, cohesive society capable of achieving the sustainable development envisioned by Oman.
During the event, a video titled “Values and Belonging” was presented, highlighting the importance of instilling moral and national principles in children from an early age. It featured dramatized scenarios showing how to promote cooperation and patriotism through daily situations experienced by children at school and home. Another video addressed the issue of bullying, illustrating its verbal, physical, and psychological forms and its negative effects on children’s psychological, social, and educational well-being. The video offered solutions on how to address bullying in school environments and foster a culture of respect and tolerance among students, emphasizing the role of parents and teachers in combating this phenomenon through positive parenting methods and supporting affected children.
Ms. Shatha bint Abdul Majeed Al Zadjali, Director of the Department of Organizations and International Relations at Oman Human Rights Commission, presented a paper titled “The Efforts of Oman Human Rights Commission in Promoting and Protecting Child Rights.” She highlighted the Commission’s role in monitoring and implementing national strategies related to child rights and collaborating with local and international organizations to ensure a safe environment for children in Oman.
The paper addressed key topics, including mechanisms for receiving and handling complaints related to child rights through hotlines, emails, official website, and field visits to detect any violations. Al Zadjali also highlighted the close collaboration between Oman Human Rights Commission and entities concerned with child rights, such as the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Social Development, and international organizations like UNICEF, in developing training and Awareness Programs to protect and empower children.
Ms. Jukha bint Ali bin Majid Al Maamari, a board member of the Children First Association, presented a paper titled “Roles and Programs of the Children First Association for Developing Oman’s Children.” She reviewed the Association’s efforts in awareness, development, and child protection, emphasizing its commitment to empowering children and providing a safe environment to support their cognitive, social, and health development. The paper focused on the Association’s strategic vision to raise awareness of children’s rights and prepare them to be active members of society through educational, health, and cultural programs. Al Maamaria explained that the Association seeks to instill values of citizenship, belonging, and responsibility in children through educational programs targeting schools and awareness initiatives involving families and civil society organizations.
The event concluded with a video presentation on citizenship and the importance of enhancing national identity in children, focusing on concepts such as social responsibility, patriotism, respect for laws, community participation, and the significance of contributing to societal development.
