President Bachelet participates in activities to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

The President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, along with Director of the Sociocultural Directorate, Paula Forttes, the Executive Vice President of the National Nursery Schools Council (Junji), Desirée López de Maturana, and the Executive Secretary of the National Council for Children, Estela Ortez, met with preschool children in the Plaza de la Constitución at La Moneda Palace to take part in the “Ronda de Chile” activities that brought to a close the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

“This is a beautiful activity in commemoration of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. We are honoring the rights that the Convention establishes, especially the right to play, have fun, and learn,” she said.

The President also recalled the four main principles of the convention: non-discrimination; the best interests of the child; the right to life, survival and development; and respect for the views of the child.

“Today we are renewing this commitment and insisting that a better, more just, more equal Chile for everyone begins with ensuring that the rights of the smallest members of society are respected, especially those of our boys, girls, young people, and teenagers,” the President said.

She added, “we cannot leave this work for tomorrow. We have to address it now. We have to align wills and turn our dreams, intentions, projects and policies into concrete actions. This is the only way that we can repay the debts that we owe to our children and young people.”

As she brought her remarks to a close, the President noted that, “The smiles that we see on the children’s faces remind us of the most important thing, something which is worth working for, day in and day out: they are the children of Chile. Let us not forget that or be distracted by superficial controversies.”