The celebration of this anniversary reflects the special interest of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, in the cause of children, and His steadfast keenness to give a strong impetus to actions geared toward protecting this category of society and improving its situation.
At the onset of the ceremony, Her Royal Highness followed a contemporary dance performance named “ONDE’s fight for children’s rights”, performed by young artists who conveyed with intensity and emotion the Kingdom’s three-decade-long battle on behalf of children.
HRH Princess Lalla Meryem then followed audiovisual capsules highlighting the unwavering commitment of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, since His accession to the Throne of His Glorious Ancestors, to the well-being and full social and cultural development of children; the importance attached by ONDE to the protection and promotion of children’s rights, as well as to the preservation of children’s mental health, in addition to the digitalization of ONDE, notably the Observatory’s driving role in innovation in favor of child protection.
As part of the global project to digitalize children’s health record launched by HRH Princess Lalla Meryem in February 2025, ONDE announced during this ceremony the launch of the first version of the “Child’s health record”, an application granting parents access to all essential information needed to support their children’s growth in terms of prevention, nutrition and psychomotor development, offering practical advice.
In partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, this educational version will soon be followed by a second with new functionalities (vaccination history, automatic reminders of vaccinations and appointments), as well as a child development monitoring module.
On this occasion, Her Royal Highness chaired the signing ceremony of three strategic agreements meant to strengthen inter-institutional coordination, children’s participation and the effective implementation of their rights. These partnership agreements reflect the Observatory’s ongoing commitment to pooling efforts around concrete, sustainable actions adapted to contemporary challenges.
The first agreement, inked with the Ministry of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family, supports ONDE’s 2025-2027 action plan, with a focus on training players in the field, capacity building and promoting the active participation of child parliamentarians. It was signed by Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family Naima Ben Yahia and ONDE Vice-President Ghizlane Benjelloun.
Signed with the Ministry of the Interior and the National Coordination of the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), the second agreement strives to deploy the programs of the National Child Psycho-Trauma Device (DNPTE) in rural areas, and to integrate mental health into policies targeting the first thousand days of life. It was signed by Wali in charge of National Coordination of the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH) Mohamed Dardouri and Ghizlane Benjelloun.
The third agreement, signed with the Higher Institute of the Judiciary, covers the integration of mental health into the training courses for judges, as well as the conducting joint studies, research and publications on children’s rights. It was signed by Ghizlane Benjelloun and Director General of the Higher Institute of the Judiciary Abdelhanine Touzani.
Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem then presented three honorary Trophies to figures who have made a significant contribution to the ONDE’s development, including Minister of the Economy and Finance Nadia Fettah, who was praised for her constant support for the Observatory; former Minister of National Education Moulay Ismail Alaoui, honored for his services to the noble cause of children and who was unable to attend for health reasons; and Amina Ouarid, honored for her 35 years of commitment and dedication to the service of children.
Subsequently, Her Royal Highness posed for a commemorative photo with the children present.
The ceremony, held as part of the 17th National Congress on the Rights of the Child, was attended by several official personalities, child parliamentarians from all Moroccan regions, former members of the Children’s Parliament, and institutional, associative and international partners committed to the cause of childhood.
Upon her arrival at the ceremony venue, HRH Princess Lalla Meryem reviewed a section of the Auxiliary Forces who performed the honours, before being greeted by Speaker of the House of Representatives Rachid Talbi Alami, President-Delegate of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary and First President of the Court of Cassation M’Hammed Abdennabaoui, Prosecutor General of the King at the Court of Cassation and Head of the Public Prosecutor’s Office Hicham Balaoui.
Her Royal Highness was also greeted by Secretary General of the Government Mohamed Hajoui; Nadia Fettah; Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports Mohamed Saâd Berrada; Minister of Health and Social Protection Amine Tehraoui; Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills Younes Sekkouri Oubbahessou; Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, and Naima Ben Yahia.
HRH Princess Lalla Meryem was also greeted by Wali of the Rabat-Salé-Kenitra Region, Governor of the Rabat Prefecture Mohamed Yacoubi; Mohamed Dardouri; President of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Regional Council Rachid El Abdi; President of the Rabat Communal Council Fatiha El Moudni; President of the Rabat Prefectural Council Abdelaziz Driouich; President of the Hassan District Council Idriss Errazi; Abdelhanine Touzani and Ghizlane Benjelloun.