The Program was held under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Talal bin Saif Al-Hosani, Wali of Qurayyat, and was attended by representatives of government agencies, civil society institutions, the private sector, and parents. The Program aimed to raise awareness of children’s rights in accordance with national and international conventions and legislation.
It sought to enhance awareness of the importance of protecting children from all forms of abuse and violence, promote national identity among children, cultivate their sense of responsibility toward their country, and educate students, parents, and teachers on how to prevent bullying in all its forms. It also aimed to foster a culture of tolerance and mutual respect in school and social environments.
In his speech, Dr. Yahya bin Mohammed Al-Hinai, Head of the “Values and Belonging” Awareness Program Team, stated that this national initiative is designed to instill the values of national belonging and good citizenship in young people, and to educate children about their rights and duties as outlined in national legislation—foremost among them the Child Law—as well as international conventions that Oman has ratified, most notably the Convention on the Rights of the Child. He noted that the objectives of the Program align with the respective roles of both Oman Human Rights Commission and the Children First Association.
He added that building a generation that is aware of its rights and committed to its responsibilities is not the duty of one party alone, but a shared responsibility that involves the family, school, official institutions, civil society, and every member of society.
As part of the Program, a video titled “Values and Belonging” was screened, highlighting the importance of instilling ethical and national values in children from an early age. It featured scenes that illustrated how to nurture a spirit of cooperation and belonging through everyday situations experienced by children at school and at home.
A second video focused on the issue of bullying, explaining its verbal, physical, and psychological forms, and the negative effects on children’s psychological, social, and academic well-being. It also presented strategies for addressing bullying in the school environment and promoting a culture of respect and tolerance among students. The video emphasized the role of parents and teachers in confronting this issue through positive parenting methods and support for affected children.
Mr. Ahmed bin Nasser Al-Rashdi, Director of the Monitoring and Complaints Department at Oman Human Rights Commission, presented a paper titled “The Efforts of the Oman Human Rights Commission in Promoting and Protecting Child Rights.” In it, he outlined the Commission’s role in overseeing and implementing national child rights strategies and its cooperation with both local and international partners to ensure a safe environment for children in the Sultanate.
The paper covered several key topics, most notably the mechanisms for receiving and addressing child rights complaints. Al-Rashdi explained that the Commission provides multiple reporting channels, including hotlines, email, the official website, and field visits to monitor potential violations against children. He also highlighted the strong cooperation between the Commission and various entities concerned with child rights, including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Social Development, and international organizations such as UNICEF. These partnerships aim to develop training and awareness Programs that protect children and strengthen their awareness of their rights.
The paper also referred to the Commission’s media role in spreading a culture of child rights through awareness campaigns and the production of audiovisual materials targeting various groups—especially children and their parents—to educate them about children’s rights and the available protection mechanisms.
Ms. Mabrouka bint Abdullah Al-Jardaniyah, a board member of the Children First Association, presented a paper titled “Omani National Identity.” She reviewed the Association’s efforts in awareness, development, and child protection, affirming its commitment to empowering children and providing a safe environment that supports their cognitive, social, and physical development, while also strengthening their national identity. Her paper focused on the Association’s strategic vision, which centers on enhancing children’s awareness of their rights and preparing them to be active members of society through educational, health, and cultural Programs. She emphasized that the Association seeks to instill concepts of citizenship, belonging, and responsibility in children through school-based educational Programs and awareness initiatives involving families and civil society organizations.
The Program concluded with the screening of a short film on citizenship and the importance of strengthening national identity among children. The film emphasized values such as social responsibility, love of country, respect for laws, community participation, and the importance of belonging and contributing to societal development.
