Children’s Rights: Signing of a Partnership Agreement Between ONDE and IBCR in Skhirat

The National Observatory for Children’s Rights (ONDE) and the International Bureau for Children’s Rights (IBCR) signed a partnership agreement on Thursday in Skhirat with the aim of developing joint initiatives based on skills development, South-South cooperation, and the sharing of expertise in the field of children’s rights.

Signed by ONDE Vice President Ghizlane Benjelloun and IBCR Board Chair Roberta Cecchetti during a symposium on “The Competency-Based Approach in Service of Children’s Rights” initiated by both organizations, this agreement is founded on the shared conviction that training and skills development—for both professionals working in the field of childhood and for children themselves—are a cornerstone essential to the effective realization of children’s rights.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Benjelloun stated that this partnership falls within the framework of the High Directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI in favor of strengthening national child protection systems and African cooperation on children’s rights.

It also reflects the commitment of Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem, President of ONDE, aimed at placing the child at the center of public policies and social dynamics, she noted, emphasizing that the combined efforts of these two institutions will help bring about innovative and sustainable practices for the benefit of the children of Morocco and Africa.

She added that the competency-based approach represents a lever for innovation, in the sense that it enables the transition from knowledge to action, from theory to practice, and from discourse to tangible impact.

For her part, Ms. Cecchetti stated at the opening of the symposium that this agreement will provide concrete responses, tailored to local contexts and centered on the best interests of the child, adding that it is based on the sharing of practices and experiences and on mutual learning to make children’s rights a reality.

She felt that this symposium marks the beginning of a lasting and structured collaboration around shared goals and tangible impact, adding that training constitutes a lever for social and political transformation in service of children’s rights, contributing to recognizing the child as a responsible interlocutor in their own decisions.

In turn, IBCR General Director Julie Dénommée expressed in a statement to the press her satisfaction with the formalization of this partnership with ONDE, an institution recognized for its tireless efforts in favor of protecting children’s rights, noting that the agreement aims to make child protection a concrete priority.

As part of its actions, the International Bureau for Children’s Rights will draw on ONDE’s proven experience in children’s mental health, a major challenge at the continental and global levels, she affirmed.

For her part, ONDE Mission Officer Fatima Zahra Bilrha indicated in a statement to the press that through this strategic partnership, IBCR and ONDE affirm their shared will to act concretely to strengthen skills and cooperation around children’s rights, in Morocco and in Africa.

“The unification of strengths and experiences will make it possible to build a future in which every African child will see their rights fully respected,” she remarked, noting that the theme of this symposium—an opportunity to share expertise and exchange on innovative approaches based on the key competencies of professionals in contact with children—reflects a shared concern between IBCR and ONDE, given the importance of skills training in the well-being of the child.

The program for this event includes, among other things, the presentation of a new IBCR publication entitled “Strengthening Competencies in Service of Children’s Rights: Innovative Approaches to Child Protection Training in Francophone Africa,” and a roundtable discussion on “The Competency-Based Approach: Innovation in Africa.”