DUSHANBE, December 19, 014, Asia-Plus -- The European Union Delegation (EUDEL) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Tajikistan, in cooperation with other partners, organized a high-level partnership event to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on December 11.

The EU Delegation to Tajikistan says that in the framework of the event, the EU-UNICEF ''Child Rights Toolkit: Integrating Child Rights in Development Cooperation'' was also launched.  It is hoped that this will further strengthen strategic co-operation between the two institutions, and that the toolkit will be widely used by development partners in their programming.

Organized by the EUDEL and UNICEF, in cooperation with the Aga-Khan Music Initiative, Dushanbe Serena Hotel, CESVI, Tajik Mama civil initiative group and two key radio stations, the event also focused on raising awareness on the rights of all children, in particular children with disabilities and promoting rights of children to grow up in a family environment.

The event gathered together 120 representatives of the diplomatic community, Government officials and Tajik business, and provided a unique networking opportunity for the Coalition of Parents of Children with Disabilities, uniting 28 organizations in the country.

The program of the event included a Gala Dinner (hosted by Dushanbe Serena Hotel), musical performances by Inclusive Children’s Choir IMAGINE; and well-known Tajik musicians and dancers.  During the event, participants joined in to sing the famous song IMAGINE together with the children to support the realization of the rights of all children everywhere.

Fifteen representatives of the Coalition of Associations of Parents of Children with Disabilities from various regions of Tajikistan were present at the Gala Dinner and could present and further discuss key issues and concerns with various interlocutors.  All donated funds (26,150 somoni) were passed to the Coalition by the Tajik Mama civil initiative as a sign of mutual support and partnership from parent to parent.