Agenda 2030

The Children’s Parliament hosts a special session on the Sustainable Development Goals
Enzo Amuele
Rivaldo Kavanga





The Children’s Parliament hosted a special session on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The aim of the session was for young parliamentarians to provide a voluntary national assessment of the SDG process and to hear what recommendations they have to achieve the SDGs by 2030, which is just nine years away.

The session took place during the deadly third wave of Covid-19 Namibia is currently facing. Six members of 98 attended the session physically, while the rest attended virtually. Among the virtual attendees was Dr Najat Maalla M’jid, the United Nations special representative of the secretary-general on violence against children, and Rachel Odede, a representative of the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

It was a special session as it was the first time members were present virtually.

M’jid expressed how truly impressed she is with the work of the Children’s Parliament in Namibia on influencing policy on teenage pregnancy, inclusive education and working towards addressing violence against children.

The members passed recommendation on how they can achieve the SDGs by 2030. The recommendations included establishing a youth development fund in all 14 regions, initiating a school garden programme at all schools to combat hunger and provide a meal for learners, investing in local entrepreneurs and setting up toilets and sanitation centres for children in rural areas and informal settlements.

National Assembly Speaker Peter Katjavivi, who was present physically at the session, said it is aimed at providing crucial input and assessment of the implementation of SDGs in Namibia. The session was made possible by the partnership between the National Assembly and UNICEF.