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Marrakech – Princess Lalla Meryem, President of the National Observatory for the Rights of the Child (ONDE), presided over a significant milestone on Tuesday as the Children’s Parliament celebrated its 25th anniversary at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Rabat.
Meriem Amjoune, one of the members of the group and only nine years old, spoke on behalf of the young parliamentarians at the event. She expressed deep gratitude to King Mohammed VI for his unwavering dedication to making Morocco a leader in child protection.
The young leader also lauded Princess Lalla Meryem’s tireless efforts in establishing the parliament as a vital platform for youth voices.
Amjoune reflected on the legacy of King Hassan II, whose visionary initiatives, including the creation of ONDE, laid the foundation for advancing children’s rights in Morocco.
The ceremony highlighted 25 years of impactful work through a series of institutional films and testimonies from former parliamentarians, showcasing the parliament’s evolution and the vibrant network of its alumni.
A special feature revisited the highlights of a recent entrepreneurship boot camp organized by ONDE, which trained 395 young parliamentarians in entrepreneurial skills and supported their project development.
Princess Lalla Meryem personally presented several awards to young participants of the boot camp.
Among the awards given were the “Voices of the Future,” “Citizen’s Heart,” and “Young Change Makers” awards, recognizing the most innovative projects.
Two special awards, “Voice of Freedom” and “Shine Without Limits,” were also granted for exceptional originality.
The event also marked the signing of three strategic agreements aimed at strengthening support for the Children’s Parliament and its initiatives.
These included partnerships to facilitate professional development for young parliamentarians, bolster youth activities, and enhance African collaborations under ONDE’s umbrella.
This landmark celebration reinforced Morocco’s commitment to fostering youth leadership and protecting children’s rights, with Princess Lalla Meryem at the helm of this inspiring journey.
Founded in 1999 by King Mohammed VI and chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem, the Children’s Parliament serves as a platform for active participation and citizenship education.
Its 395 members are both girls and boys of different ages and from multiple regions. Their membership is renewed every two years.
Of these, 209 are appointed by Regional Education and Training Academies based on academic excellence, 48 are selected for their talents in arts, sports, or other fields, 36 represent student councils, and 12 are from second-chance schools.
Additionally, 90 children are chosen for projects addressing childhood issues, reviewed by a jury of experts, including children with special needs.
