BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
INTERNATIONAL Children’s Day was observed by Honiara’s primary school pupils at the Multipurpose Hall complex, next to Lawson Tama Stadium.
This year’s International Children’s Day is centred on the idea of a “safe environment, happy children, and bright future.”
Grace Hirimane Piko told SOLOMON WOMEN that the school children were thrilled to celebrate their special day with entertainment and enjoyable activities.
She stated that due to the approaching XVII Pacific Games 2023 in Honiara in November, this year’s International Day has been moved to Wednesday, September 27, 2023.
“This day should be observed on November 20th, however because to PG2023, the committee decided to move the celebration to September 27th,” she explained.
Mrs. Grace Piko, who works with Honiara City Council as a volunteer under the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) said that the schools also participate in the forum during the celebration.
“The urgent issue of climate change was one of the topics highlighted. At the U.N. climate conference (COP28), the youngsters urge the government to pay attention to their concerns and assist in addressing the issue of climate change, which might be brought before an international court of justice.
Another issue brought up at the event was making International Children’s Day a national holiday, as it was in other nations on this particular day, according to Grace Piko.
The government should make the day a public holiday so that parents can spend the day with their kids, she continued, since “the kids want the government to hear their voice.”
COP28 refers to the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties. It is scheduled to be held in Nov – Dec 2023. It is an international gathering where representatives from nearly 200 countries come together to discuss and negotiate global climate policies and actions.
She later expressed her gratitude to the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children, and Family Affairs, Save the Children, UNICEF, Oxfam, SICCAN, and Live & Learn for supporting and organizing the event.
“We would want to thank you on behalf of the kids. Therefore, Grace Piko remarked, “I would like to thank the government because it is through them that NGO come to support our children.”
