Yesterday was the United Nations' Universal Children's Day... it was an opportunity for organizations around the world to promote, protect, and educate about all things Children. In the Dominican Republic, Caminante was invited to several different activities around the Santo Domingo and Boca Chica areas. The team split forces to make as many events as possible! While Denisse and a majority of the staff participated in a local "lanzamiento" or project launch for Caminante and Children International's programming in the Boca Chica area, Olga and I headed out before the sun to a prayer breakfast in Santo Domingo. The breakfast was to for "prayer and action" specifically focusing on violence prevention and elimination.
The breakfast was held in the "Hotel Embajador" and was attended by many different religious leaders and organizations... it truly was an ecumenical event including people from the Catholic, Protestant, Hindu, Islam, Judaism religions. While we were treated to a delicious breakfast, we heard from World Day of Prayer and Action, Coalition of NGOs for Childhood, CONANI, and Global Network of Religions for Children. In addition international organizations such as Save the Children, Catholic Relief Services, and UNICEF were in attendance. I especially enjoyed a musical presentation (who performed at the breakfast then magically performed at Caminante 30 minutes later). A group of youth also presented the program "Joven C Plus" a innovative education program working to "learn to live together."
Check out Manny Rosado singing: "La Paz Retornara"
CONANI and Global Network of Religions for Children each presented their findings about violence against children and adolescents and their plans for prevention and elimination. CONANI is the government organization protecting children's rights in the Dominican Republic. GNRC is an international organization that has been present in the DR since 2010. They work to create a network of religions, NGOs, Communities and Government to create a better world for children.
We closed with an interfaith prayer with religious leaders, children and adults each participating.
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