Skhirat: Partnership Agreement Signed Between ONDE and IBCR

The agreement was signed by ONDE Vice President Ghizlane Benjelloun and IBCR Board Chair Roberta Cecchetti during a symposium titled “The Competency-Based Approach in the Service of Children’s Rights”, jointly organized by the two institutions. It is based on the shared belief that developing the skills of professionals working in child protection, as well as empowering children themselves, is a cornerstone for the effective realization of children’s rights.

Speaking at the event, Ms. Benjelloun stated that this partnership aligns with the High Directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to strengthen national child protection systems and promote African cooperation in this area. She added that it also reflects the commitment of Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem, President of ONDE, to place children at the heart of public policies and social initiatives. By joining forces, the two institutions aim to foster innovative and sustainable practices that serve the children of Morocco and Africa.

Ms. Benjelloun further emphasized that the competency-based approach serves as a lever for innovation, as it enables the transition from knowledge to action, from theory to practice, and from discourse to tangible impact.

For her part, Ms. Cecchetti said during the opening of the symposium that the agreement will provide concrete, locally adapted responses focused on the best interests of the child. She explained that it is built on shared practices, mutual learning, and reciprocal exchange, with the goal of turning children’s rights into reality. She added that this symposium marks the beginning of a lasting collaboration structured around shared goals and measurable impact, noting that training is a powerful driver of social and political transformation that helps recognize children as responsible participants in decisions that concern them.

IBCR Executive Director Julie Dénommée expressed her satisfaction with the formalization of this partnership with ONDE, an institution widely recognized for its tireless efforts to protect children’s rights. She noted that the agreement aims to make child protection a concrete and actionable priority. The IBCR, she added, will draw on ONDE’s valuable experience in children’s mental health, a growing issue both continentally and globally.

In turn, ONDE Project Officer Fatima Zahra Bilrha told the press that through this strategic partnership, the IBCR and ONDE reaffirm their shared determination to work together in strengthening skills and cooperation around children’s rights in Morocco and across Africa. “By uniting our efforts and experience, we can build a future where every African child’s rights are fully respected,” she said, adding that the symposium’s theme reflects a common priority for both institutions, given the crucial role of professional training in ensuring children’s well-being.

The event also featured the presentation of a new IBCR publication titled “Strengthening Skills for Children’s Rights: Innovative Training Approaches in Child Protection in Francophone Africa”, along with a roundtable discussion on “The Competency-Based Approach: Innovation in Africa.”

Editorial team/le7tv