2025-01-15 GENERAL HOUSE

Secretariat of Solidarity-CMI and FMSI Listen to the Voices of Children in Monrovia

From January 8 to 11, Brother Ángel Diego, director of the Secretariat of Solidarity-CMI, visited the two Marist institutions in Liberia. The visit to the country was guided by a dual purpose. On one hand, to understand the work and reality of the Marist mission, and on the other, and as the main objective, to conduct active listening workshops with the children and young people from our institutions.

The workshops are part of the work carried out by the Secretariat and FMSI in relation to the reports for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), a unique mechanism of the UN Human Rights Council. These reports provide civil society with the opportunity to raise their voices before the United Nations in defense of Human Rights, particularly the Rights of the Child.

The preparation of these reports, especially the most recent ones presented by the Marist Institute, is being conducted by listening directly to the voices of children and young people, gathering their concerns and recommendations to improve people’s lives in the country. The main topics highlighted by the children on this occasion include the importance of access to quality education, having a robust healthcare system, obtaining job opportunities after completing their education, and ensuring safety in the streets.

The work was carried out with three groups of students, aged between 12 and 17, from the two Marist schools in the country (“Sister Shirley Kolmer Memorial Catholic School” and “Marist Brother Catholic School”). Several teachers contributed to the development of the working sessions, along with the collaboration of Brother Daniel Taylor. Approximately 30 students participated in these activities.

More information about the UPR reports and how the Secretariat of Solidarity-CMI and FMS work with this United Nations mechanism can be found at the following link.

The Marist presence in Liberia is part of the West Africa Province, which also operates in Cameroon, Chad, Ivory Coast, and Ghana. Seven Marist Brothers work in Liberia at the two different schools in the capital, Monrovia, mentioned above, one belonging to the diocese and the other owned by the Marist Brothers.

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