Zambia today joined the rest of the globe to commemorate World children’s Day under the theme “A Better Future for Every Child”.

This years’ commemoration was held with Presidents and children from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana to discuss issues affecting children such as climate change, disability inclusion and inclusive education.

Speaking at the same event, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, president of the republic of Zambia encouraged the children to take leadership in order to achieve greater milestones in life.

Mr. Hichilema echoed the need to revise the education curriculum to suit current needs and trends as time has evolved unlike using curriculum that was designed a long time ago, instead he encouraged schools to include talents like Art, Music & Skill. Entrepreneurship & financial literacy as critical tools for learners.

“Climate change has brought challenges and adversely affect opportunities for children”. Mr Hichilema said.

He further appealed to all developing and developed countries to meet their obligations and mitigation measures around climate change in order to reduce the stress in the environment which children grow up in.

Mr. Hichilema called up state and non-state actors to work together to create conditions that will enhance the welfare of children in many respects.

President Hakainde Hichilema assured that the four heads of state had pledged to work together in many spheres in support of the welfare of children.

Speaking at the same event UNICEF Regional Director Mr. Muhammed Malick Fall reminded of the challenges children in African continue to face such the learning crisis affecting learner and compromising quality of education due inadequate learning facilities and shortage of teachers, climate change effects and devastation such as droughts and floods affecting children with disabilities.

Mr. Fall emphasised the need to protect children from the shocks caused by climate change and ensure that their rights are protected through climate change mitigation and inclusive education for all including children with disabilities.

UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine M. Russell has promised to continue to support the Government in the promotion and protection of children’s rights.

In her remarks she encouraged players in the promotion of children’s welfare to strengthen collective response to issues affecting children such as poverty, global learning crisis and support to children with disabilities.