The International Day of the African Child– June 16

Celebration of the International Day of the African Child on June 16 is at the origin of IDAY and represents the network’s major event. This date was chosen as an appropriate opportunity to foster dialogue between the CSOs and their governments on basic education.

It was chosen in 1991 by the African Union to commemorate the massacre of young South African who were massacred on June 16, 1976 by the Apartheid army as they were manifesting for a better education in the Soweto slum.

Around that date, each IDAY national coalition organises celebrations with various activities focused on the theme of education for all in Africa. The objective is to raise awareness among the public and authorities, and to convey the demands and recommendations of CSOs on basic education, and create dialogue opportunities with governmental stakeholders. To this end, the events also include the official handing over to the authorities of the IDAY Annual Report.

The programme for June 16, 2012 activities is at the moment being defined by each national coalition and by IDAY-International. Further information on activities organised in each member countries are available on the member pages

IDAY-International’s June 16, 2012 programme will be available soon…