The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) and the Central Authority for the Prevention of Corruption (ICPC) take part in the International Editing and Book Fair, held in Casablanca from 13 to 23 Feb. 2014. Being aware of the role that culture and reading can play in promoting human rights, the two constitutional institutions will have a joint exhibition stall to celebrate children’s rights in 20^th edition of this international book event.

“My rights, my future!” is the slogan chosen for the stall, which invites the book fair visitors to a rich activity program. More than 70 partners have their marks on this program: all Moroccan children book publication houses, dozens of children’s rights associations, national institutions (Mohammed VI Foundation for the Environment, Royal Institute of the Amazigh Culture, Institut des beaux-arts de Tétouan, etc.) and international organizations (UNICEF, Council of Europe, etc.), regional education and training academies, school citizenship clubs and several art stakeholders and professionals.

The CNDH and the ICPC take part in this international book fair, together, for the third consecutive year. This year, they shed light on the rights of the generations of tomorrow…whose rights are enshrined in the Constitution of July 2011 and the international Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the international community in 1989 and ratified by Morocco in 1993.

The stall was designed following an open competition for Moroccan young architects. It will be a space for entertainment and free expression for children and stakeholders alike.

The activities of the stall will evolve around children and their interest. Hundreds of books for and about children and interactive kiosks for children to entertain and learn will be available. Children will have the opportunity to “question” Moroccan and foreign senior officials about their rights and issues: Minister of women solidarity and family, Minister of public health, Minister of migration affairs, an Advisor of His majesty the Kingn CNDH and ICPC chairmen, Rector of Amazigh culture institute, UNICEF Reprehensive in Morocco, etc.. They will discuss their rights to health, education, protection, participation, culture, development, entertainment, etc. and enjoy and take part in art workshops, readings and storytelling sessions, and theatrical performances.

Tributes will be given to several pioneers who worked for the rights of children. Nine national human rights institutions (from Togo, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Mali, and Sierra Leone) will take part in these activities. Their respective states are members of the ECOWAS, guest of honor at this 20th edition. They are invited by the CNDH to discuss and share experiences relating to the protection of the rights of the child in the region.

The activities of the program will be extended outside the Fair premises. A large Kermis for children’s rights will be held at a school nearby. Parades, street performances and visits to orphanages and children hospitals are scheduled in the program as well. These visits will be supervised by some regional human rights commissions.